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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 13, 2010 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 27 (12. #10-3486 XCEL ENERGY, 3960 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH, Continued) Rogers stated they need to get from Point A, which is the substation, to Point B, which is the 115 kV line. Roger indicated they are willing to meet with Mr. Schoon and Mr. Kuruvilla again to discuss alternative routes. One of the options considered was to take it through Baker Park. Xcel did meet with Three Rivers Park in early November and Three Rivers Park has issued a two page letter outlining their criteria. That letter has been provided to Mr. Schoon and Mr Kuruvilla. The other alternative is to run it between Highway 12 and the railroad tracks, but that is not ideal since there is a force main located in that area as well as other utilities. Rogers stated if the proposed route is followed, it would not be in the wetlands on Mr. Schoon’s or Mr. Kuruvilla’s property but would be closer to the railroad. Murphy asked how much taller the new poles are. Cox indicated the existing structures are between 60-70 feet and the new poles would be approximately 15 feet higher. The tallest structure would be the corner structure because they are transitioning from the A-frame structure into a vertical design. Bremer asked why Xcel made application to the City rather than to the PUC. Sedarski indicated one factor is the small size of the project and the other factor is to go to the City in the hopes that there will be local support for the project. The proposed route will impact relatively few property owners. Sedarski noted Xcel also has other projects scheduled around the same time. Bremer asked what is incomplete about the application. Sedarski indicated part of the process is to introduce the project to the public and to obtain public comment on the environmental assessment and the route alternatives. The PUC would not require Xcel to look at alternative routes. Xcel, however, does review that at as a matter of course. Sedarski noted Xcel is not done with the environmental assessment. Rogers indicated plans for the substation expansion and transmission lines have not yet been finalized and submitted. Sedarski pointed out they did send letters to the affected landowners and they are in the process of collecting comments. Xcel has completed a wetlands delineation and that has been approved by the Watershed District. Murphy asked what the general time line is for the project. Cox stated the time line will be based on the permitting process they end up following. Cox stated this is a local project and the substation is a distribution substation, which would feed both commercial and residential properties. Cox stated permitting would typically be a six to eight month long process and construction would start sometime in 2012 depending on when the permitting process is complete. Sedarski noted the six to eight month process would be if they go before the PUC. McMillan asked what area would be upgraded as part of this project. Item #04 - CC Agenda - 01/10/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 12/13/2010 [Page 17 of 27]