Consider Dedication of a Drainage and Utility Easement for the Relocation of the Connexus Cabinet

Connexus Energy recently relocated a switch cabinet to the SE Corner of Armstrong Boulevard and the new Sunwood Drive.  The cabinet in its current location will conflict with proposed signage for the COR TWO retail area and it has been determined that the cabinet must be moved. 

The cabinet was originally installed in 2011 in the general location as shown on the attachment labeled "Approximate Location 2011".  The City requested that the cabinet be relocated this year in conjunction with the Sunwood / Armstrong project, as it was located in direct conflict with the proposed Sunwood Drive.  It was relocated to the SE corner of Armstrong Boulevard and Sunwood Drive as depicted in the attachment labeled "2012 Relocated Location".

The COR Development Manager has identified a new location for the cabinet, which is north of the new Sunwood by approximately 80 feet. The proposed site is located on HRA property, east of the proposed trail as indicated on the attached exhibit labeled "New Cabinet Location". This easement is necessary to move the cabinet to the location identified by the Development Manager.

This case was presented to the Public Works Committee on September 18, 2012 and the consensus was to move the cabinet and negotiate an equitable allocation of the costs.

Tom Keller from Connexus was notified and invited to attend

City staff met with the involved parties on October 4, 2012 to discuss the charges and progress has been achieved in negotiating an allocation of the costs.  However, the estimated costs have also increased due to more complex construction methods than originally anticipated. 

The easement must be dedicated to facilitate the move of the cabinet and the cabinet must be relocated prior to the installation of the sidewalks, which are tentatively scheduled for October 10, 2012.  Therefore, action on the easement is increasingly time-sensitive.

We recommend the HRA approve the easement depicted on the attached exhibit and direct the development team to prepare and record and easement to facilitate the relocation of the cabinet.

The funding sources for the Armstrong Boulevard and Sunwood Drive project have been previously identified.  The funding source for any cost overages will be the Equipment Revolving Fund.

Motion to approve the easement depicted on the attached exhibit and direct the development team to prepare the easements and record as necessary to facilitate the relocation of the cabinet.