11-12-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Xcel Energy Street Light Pole Banner Requirements In late July, staff contacted Xcel Energy to determine the specifications needed for installing banners designed by Neuger as part of the Critical Corridor Grant. After that request, staff learned that Xcel Energy was in the process of reaching out to all relevant communities regarding a formal agreement for municipalities to attach ornamental fixtures to Xcel-owned light poles, including specifications for what can be physically attached to the poles. Further discussions and research led Xcel to officially inform the city that a banner with a maximum area of 4.53 square feet and a weight of 5 pounds could be attached to the light poles around the Market Place/Little Canada Road Area. The city collaborated with our banner vendor to confirm that the size and weight requirements could be met before submitting the application and starting the paperwork. Our vendor confirmed that we would stay within the weight limit. Once the application was submitted, which includes all light poles on Little Canada Road from Rice Street to Lakeshore Avenue, and Market Place Drive/Middle Street (the grant area), an inspection of the light poles was conducted by Xcel’s team. Finally, a formal agreement was prepared, and a subsequent amendment was made after review by the Assistant General Counsel from the League of MN Cities Insurance Trust. Agreement and Amendment Overview The agreement, dated October 7 (agreement preparation date), grants the city the right to attach ornament pole fixtures for non-commercial purposes, provided that all requirements outlined in the specifications and agreement are met for five years. Xcel retains ownership and the right to request that the city remove fixtures if any specifications are not met or if the structural integrity of the light poles is at risk. The agreement states that the municipality shall indemnify Xcel Energy for claims, liability, and other related matters resulting from the municipal ornamental pole attachments. Since the city uses the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) for all liability coverage, staff contacted LMCIT to review the agreement and ensure they are comfortable with the liability language. The Assistant General Counsel reviewed the agreement and generally found it to be fair. However, LMCIT requested specific modifications to the agreement, particularly to Paragraph 3 of Exhibit D, as detailed in Amendment 1 concerning insurance cancellation. After review by Xcel Energy and the preparation of Amendment 1, LMCIT agreed that it is acceptable and is comfortable with the city signing both the original Agreement and Amendment 1 from an insurer's perspective. Next Steps Should the City Council approves the agreement, staff would work with Xcel Energy to execute the agreement, with banner installation likely to occur in the spring 2026 after some branding adjustments. Strategic Priority: Delivering Dynamic Community Space • Action Item: Develop a wayfinding program to connect east & west sides of Little Canada and along trails