During review of preliminary designs and advancement of final construction documents a private utility (gas, phone, electric, and cable) issue was identified, and staff is requesting Council input prior to proceeding with portions of the project.  Connexus Energy and Comcast are proposing to leave their existing overhead transmission lines along the east side of Armstrong Boulevard, from Sunwood Drive to 150th Lane.  If the City would like to have those lines buried we would have to cover the incremental cost difference above what it would take to reconfigure their existing overhead system.  Based upon estimates prepared by Connexus and Comcast, this amount is expected to cost approximately $130,000 and $22,000 respectively, for a total cost of $152,000.  This item was briefly discussed in work session on February 8, 2011 and the Council direction was to have a more refined cost estimate prepared and a funding source identified.  The estimates above are the requested refined costs, and staff has identified the Public Infrastructure Revolving Fund (PIR) as the funding source; which will be reimbursed through TIF #14 when funds become available.

Implementation of the overall project is part of the COR Regional Roadway Improvements and was included in the CIP, with GO Bonding identified as the funding source.  These improvements are expected to be funded through future land sales, MSA revenue bonds, utility funds, and special assessment bonds.  The estimate for the construction project is approximately $3.8 million, which did not include easement acquisition or private utility burying.

 

For the purposes of the private utility burying, PIR has been identified as the funding source; which will be reimbursed by TIF #14 when funds become available.