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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn 06-27-06 71 MINUTES #2613 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, JUNE 27,2006,5:00 P.M. Mayor Blackie Holmes opened the meeting. Present were Mayor Pro Tempore Harry Shawver and Councilmembers Syd Carter, Kelly Walker and Jerry Grable. Also in attendance were City Manager Bob Livingston, City Attorney Rob Dillard and City Secretary Nina Wilson. MAIN AGENDA FINAL REPORT FOR 138 kV TRANSMISSION LINE: In the summer of 2005, TXU Electric Delivery representatives informed the city of plans to employ a contractor to locate overhead utility services and underground gas, water and sewer lines in the alley between Stanford and Amherst. In addition to the survey work, the company told city representatives that a second contractor would be performing soil tests at various locations in the alley. According to the utility, both contractor efforts were needed in order to initiate design related to the reconstruction of the electric transmission line located there. In notifying the city of the need to upgrade the line, TXU Electric Delivery noted it was also the company's intention to install shielding to protect against lightning strikes to further improve the line's reliability. Therefore, the preliminary design for the rebuild included taller, metal poles. In response to concerns expressed by residents and the city, the city appointed a citizen steering committee to work with TXU in developing rebuild alternatives for the transmission line. Additionally, the city initiated a study with Sega, Inc. to explore the feasibility of placing the transmission line underground and placing all overhead utilities, i.e. telephone, cable, and electric distribution, underground. Sega was also directed to explore above-ground alternatives, to include replacing the existing wood pole with similar wood poles. Representatives from Sega spoke for an hour presenting the findings oftheir report and answering questions. After that presentation, Robbie Corder, Assistant to the Public Works Director, spoke for 40 minutes discussing the feasibility study and answering questions. Dr. Nick Hogan, speaking for the steering committee, expressed appreciation for the city's responsibility to the citizens and Sega and urged the council to let citizens know about the cost of the project. Mayor Holmes asked TXU Representative Randy Newsom to find out what TXU would pay if the option to underground is requested. It is the city's intention to ask the steering committee to host a community forum to garner citizen input regarding the available options based upon the study results from Sega. Subsequently, the steering committee will be asked to develop a recommendation for city council consideration. The date for the upcoming community forum will be forthcoming. There being no further business, Mayor Holmes moved that the meeting be adjourned. PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th of July 2006. ATTEST: