DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Agreement With Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy For Engineering Of Relocation Of Utilities Along Future CSAH 32, CP 32-65, In City Of Inver Grove Heights
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of agreement with Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy (Xcel) for reimbursement of preliminary engineering and design of transmission line relocation along future County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 32 (117th Street), County Project (CP) 32-65 in City of Inver Grove Heights (City).
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, the City of Inver Grove Heights, in cooperation with Dakota County is proceeding with CP 32-65. The project will reconstruct 117th Street east from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 71 (Rich Valley Boulevard) to the Trunk Highway (TH) 52/117th Street Interchange in the City of Inver Grove Heights. The purpose of the project is to meet 10-ton design standards, enhance transportation system efficiency and mobility, reduce access points, improve pavement conditions, and facilitate the phased development of an essential east-west transportation corridor within the region. An additional objective is to provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the 117th Street corridor for future connection to the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) east of TH 52 and provide an east-west corridor for all users with a focus on freight improvements see (Attachment: Project Location).
The preferred alternative consists of a two-lane, median-divided roadway for a one-mile segment of 117th Street between Rich Valley Boulevard and the Flint Hills Resources Refinery access, just west of the TH 52/117th Street Interchange. There will be pavement preservation improvements (mill and overlay) between the Pine Bend Refinery access and Courthouse Boulevard (excluding the TH 52 bridge).
Xcel currently has transmission lines and poles located within its own easement along 117th Street. The CP 32-65 roadway modernization project would impact four structures of 69kV transmission line that must be relocated to accommodate the new CSAH 32 typical section. To proceed with project development for CP 32-65, Xcel has requested that Dakota County enter into a scoping agreement to identify costs and responsibilities associated with preliminary engineering and design for relocation of the transmission line. Xcel has the right of occupancy in its existing location because they hold an easement interest, the taking of which is compensable in eminent domain. The Xcel relocation agreement provides for payment of contractual obligations before commencing the work. Payments must be made to displaced utility facilities at the time they are needed to relocate.
Xcel is requesting that Dakota County execute a scoping agreement to reimburse Xcel up to $179,000 for the cost of the preliminary engineering and design. The cost to the County will be for actual costs incurred by Xcel during project development. After completion of the engineering, Xcel will send the County a relocation agreement and revised detailed estimate, which will include updated cost estimates for materials and construction of the transmission line relocation. If Dakota County proceeds with CP 32-65, the relocation of the transmission line will be done concurrently with the grading work for CP 32-65 during the 2025 construction season.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of scoping agreement with Xcel for the preliminary engineering of relocation of utilities along future CSAH 32 to identify costs and responsibilities associated with encroachment of CP 32-65 on the transmission line easement to proceed in an amount of $179,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2023 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a total budget of $4,560,000 for CP 32-65 see (Attachment: Financial Summary). Sufficient funds are available for the agreement with Xcel Energy for reimbursement of relocation of 69kV transmission line preliminary engineering and design of the relocation of utilities along future CSAH 32 (117th Street) (Attachment: Financial Summary).
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, the Dakota County and the City of Inver Grove Heights are proceeding with County Projects (CP) 32-65; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project is to improve safety, provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities, meet 10-ton design standards, enhance transportation system efficiency and mobility, reduce access points, improve pavement condition, and facilitate the phased development of an essential east-west transportation corridor within the region; and
WHEREAS, the preferred alternative consists of modernizing future County State Aid Highway 32 (117th Street) to a two-lane divided highway with turn lanes, pedestrian accommodations, sufficient shoulders, and access management between County State Aid Highway 71 (Rich Valley Boulevard) and the Flint Hills Resources Refinery access, just west of the TH 52/117th Street Interchange; and
WHEREAS, County Projects 32-65 includes construction that requires relocation of Xcel Energy’s (Xcel) electric transmission line; and
WHEREAS, Xcel transmission lines and poles are located within its own easement; and
WHEREAS, in order to proceed with project development, Xcel is requesting that Dakota County execute a scoping agreement to reimburse Xcel $179,000 for actual costs incurred for the cost of the preliminary engineering and design; and
WHEREAS, Xcel will send the County a relocation agreement for authorization with a revised detailed cost estimate for materials and construction of the transmission line relocation; and
WHEREAS, County Projects 32-65 is included in the 2023 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget for CP 32-65, which includes $4,560,000 carried over from previous years; and
WHEREAS, the Staff recommends execution of a scoping agreement with Xcel for preliminary engineering of relocation of utilities for CP 32-65 in a total amount of $179,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a scoping agreement with Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy to reimburse Xcel Energy for $179,000 for the cost of the preliminary engineering and design for the relocation of transmission lines and poles in the amount of the actual cost, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: Financial Summary
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☒ Discuss ☐ Involve ☐ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: John Sass