Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $270,000 to Texas New Mexico Power to upgrade proposed power poles from wood to concrete, generally located along the east side of Maple Leaf Drive, from West Main Street (FM 518) to the Seminole Substation (City Manager)
Background:
Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP) is in the process of expanding the Seminole Substation to serve the current growth of population in west League City. As part of the expansion, new overhead distribution circuits will be installed along Maple Leaf Drive. The route of the proposed overhead lines is along the east side of Maple Leaf Drive, from West Main Street (FM 518) to the southern boundary of Westwood Subdivision. The line then travels west along the transmission line corridor to the Seminole Substation (see attached site plan).
TNMP’s construction standards utilize wood poles for overhead line construction. Section 5.6.1.e of the Unified Development Code requires that any overhead lines located along arterial roadways are installed on concrete poles. This section goes on to add, “…nothing in this ordinance shall be interpreted in a manner that conflicts with a utility’s state-approved tariff.”
TNMP has a tariff that is approved by the Public Utility Commission that dictates rules and regulations for their power service. The standard practice outlined in the tariff is construction of wood poles for distribution lines such as these. Per TNMP’s filed tariff, the requesting party, City of League City, is responsible for the cost difference between wood and concrete poles, if the upgrade is desired. The costs of these upgrades are generally paid by developers who extend service to new developments. On the west side of Maple Leaf Drive there are concrete poles that were upgraded at the cost of the developer when the lines were extended. In this case, TNMP is upgrading their circuit and it is not triggered by an individual development extending lines. The cost burden falls on the City if we wish to upgrade these support poles from wood to concrete.
Maple Leaf Drive will be a major north/south arterial roadway that will connect FM 517 to FM 518. This roadway will become highly traveled as it continues further south, especially when the Grand Parkway intersection is constructed. As additional developments are constructed southward, concrete poles along Maple Leaf Drive will be required by the City and funded by those developments. It is staff’s perspective that having a single segment of wood poles along this roadway would not be consistent with the character of current or remaining sections of this roadway and is not consistent with the high level of aesthetics we require with new development. The upgrades requested are based on aesthetics and would not increase or decrease the functionality of the power lines.
Attachments:
1. Data Sheet
2. Proposed Resolution
3. Site Plan
CONTRACT ORIGINATION:
FUNDING
{} Funds are available from Account #________
{X } Requires Budget Amendment in the amount of $270,000 to transfer from General Fund fund balance to Planning Contractual Services Account #3700000-53490
{ } NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{ } Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # ______ and Initiative # ______
{ x } NOT APPLICABLE