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1986-04-28 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 04/28/86 COUNCIL CHAMBER POLICE BUILDING 8:00 A.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor John D. Dodd Mayor Pro Tem John Dunagan Councilmembers David Blair Carol Dingman Bob C. Phelps Herb Weidinger The following members of the City Administration were present: City Manager Paul M. West City Attorney John Boyle Recording Secretary Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Dodd called the City Council Meeting of 04/28/86 to order at 8:00 a.m. DISCUSS POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION ON SOUTH SIDE OF VALLEY VIEW LANE NEAR TEMPLETON TRAIL. Mr. Jerry Lockhart, District Manager for the Texas Power and Light Company was present and stated that he was there to discuss the over head distribution lines on Valley View Lane and the proposed lines that were to be built along that route. Mr. Fred Garza, District Engineer for the Texas Power and Light Company was present and stated that there was a problem in trying to serve customers with the needed facilities to generate enough power to the areas between the Galleria and I-35. Mr. Garza explained that other factors are involved in deciding on different routes such as transformers, larger poles, extra poles, trees, cost and location. Mr. Garza further explained that other routes have been considered, but found not to be as feasible and that there is also a time factor involved because the summer peak load is coming and all other alternatives will not meet the deadline. VOL . 49, PAGE 97 1 Councilmember Dingman questioned the feasibility of putting up the proposed power lines now and later discussing the possibility of removing the power lines. Mr. Garza stated that the power lines are needed now in order to solve the current problem and that the Texas Power and Light - Company will negotiate with the City later and find out what the costs are for removal of the lines and installing an alternate route so that the poles can be removed should the City desire. Mr. Garza further stated that as for negotiation of the cost, it is the policy for the customer to pay for the rerouting of the power lines. Mayor Dodd questioned whether the City would have power shortages or if this installation is a matter of safety. Mr. Garza explained that there are distinct problems within the City, the Galleria, the Farmers Branch park area, and the area north of LBJ in between Webb Chapel and I-35. Mr. Garza expressed concern about over loading the conductors. Mr. Garza stated that there are a lot of variables that could result in the overloading of conductors like weather, length of time being used at a certain capacity, etc. Councilmember Dingman questioned the time frame involved for installing a new power line and how much time would be required to complete the proposed power line. Frank Garza stated that it takes about three to four months to install a route and that the proposed route would have been completed today if the construction had not been interrupted. Councilmember Dunagan stated that there are two immediate problems 1. The City needs to put in the proposed power line because of the time frame and to avoid power shortages and over loaded conductors. 2. The Disposition of all the lines currently in the City. Councilmember Dunagan stated that the City needs to work with the Power and Light Company for the sake of the future aesthetic view of the City. Mr. Lockhart stated that he agreed with Councilmember Dunagan but at the same time that the Power Company cannot do one thing for one City that would adversely affect another City. Mayor Dodd stated that there needs to be better communication between the City and the Power Company. Councilmember Blair stated that the City should work with the Power Company in developing a way to put the wires underground. Councilmember Blair stated that the residential areas should not be affected because of the Commercial area needs and would urge the VIOL, 49, PAGE 98 Power Company to use sub-stations in the commercial areas to serve commercial areas. Councilmember Weidinger stated that three or four years ago that the Power Company got together with the City for long term planning and projections. Councilmember Weidinger stated that communications seemed.to have been lost since that time and asked the Power Company to at least assure the City that communications will be open to present plans. Councilmember Dunagan stated that the Cityneeds to consider the source of the power when granting site plan approval in the site plan process and maybe the Companies should be responsible for part of the expense of their power sources. Councilmember Dingman stated that the telephone company and Texas Power and Light Company should consolidate their poles and share their poles with other utility companies and that maybe some of the poles could be more aesthetic. Councilmember Blair suggested that developers could cooperate in the handling of other utilities such as gas, light and telephone. Councilmember Dunagan requested a copy of the Texas Power and Light Company's current five year plan. Mr. Marty Giehrl, 3404 Bevann Drive, was present and stated that he felt that this proposal is unacceptable. Mr. Giehrl stated that the City should just say "NO". Mustang trails has three things going for it and they are the greenbelt area, the most attractive street lights and a good skyline with the only swinging bridge. Mr. Giehrl stated that he felt that the Texas Power and Light Company could be more creative and encouraged the Council to change the economics by adding a $15,000.00 pole tax and there by making it more economical to put the wires underground. Councilmember Dingman questioned whether there is any further legal authority that the City may have. City Attorney, John Boyle stated that we are doing all that is legally possible at this time. Mayor Dodd stated that the Council has requested Mr. Boyle to come forward with an ordinance to prevent this type of problem from happening again. Mr. Lockhhart stated that the Texas and Power and Light Company are bound not only by this Council but the PUC and other regulators and one City cannot impose economic hardships on other rate payers because of something the Power Company does for another City. Mr. Garza explained that the facilities have been installed for the past forty years and policies and procedures have changed. Mr. TbL, 49, PAGE 99 Garza stated that the Texas Power and Light Company is concerned and have been correcting problems as they could. Mr. Jim Collier, 3351 Chaparral Drive, stated that it is all a matter of economics. Mr. Collier stated that the Texas Power and Light Company should deal with this problem today. Mr. Collier requested that the City get a consulting company to estimate the costs and review the Power Company's plans. Ms. Sue Collier, 3351 Chaparral, stated that she was concerned about the trees on Mustang Park being trimmed to allow for the new wires. Mayor Dodd stated that an ordinance is in the process of being drawen up by the City Attorney that hopefully will prevent this type of problem from happening again. ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilmember Dunagan, a second by Councilmember Weidinger, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council Meeting at 9:46 A.M. r John City S I ( j-~ VOL. 49, PAGE 100