02-19-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�- � i ,Laague of Minrresola C;ties CiEies Promnting exce�¢rtte Ntam�er j r � Fe�ruary S, 1997 . .: r, . ., � .:, , - ; , �" �...: , � ` -r' , �'_ � � :,.. _ ... < �� '� �� , , � �� ; � a = :. "i �' > s ` ; s "�' � . � _s.., -t. _ _ _ ._ �. Tim Busse The House Regulated Ind�stries and Ener�y Committee continued their discussion of right of way manage- ment on Tuesday, this time hearin; directfy from the city o�r,ials most direct(y affected by the entire issue. Engineers John Maczko of St. Pau] and L.eonarcf Krumm c�f Minneapaiis were joined by Redwood Fa]]s City Adrnin- istrator Jeff Weldon and Engineer Ron Mannz in describin� the practical reaiities of woricing in the rights of way. r� management issue We3don toid the committee that even thoagh his city is at the center o� the cur:enc court battie, it's noc as simpie as Redwood F'alls vs. US West. `'This isn't a telecommunications issue, this is a right of way manage- ment issue," Weidon said. "The rights af way are a lirr►ited resource, and ci[ies are responsible for making sure thaz resources is properly maintained:' Wefcfon described the "land rush" occurrinb in Redwood Falls and in many other cities across the state �vhe:e uci3ities are installing cahle or conduit beyond their current needs in anticipa�ion of future demand. Whiie the planning could he4p reduce the number at� funtre street cuts, it makes the prob[em of caagestion that �nuch worse naw. Kcumm used siides to dramati- cally illustrate the o owing under- ground rnaze of telephone cables, electricnl wires, �as pipes and cicy- owned water, sewer and storm draira pipes in downtown Minneapolis. He told the committee that uti3iry com- pany lines often get in the way when city workers have to repair sewer or ather city faciIities underground, raising of the cost of those repairs. Maczko reported tha� St. Paul has 3 i different utilities in the right of way - not jvsi telecommunications. �ilaintainin� siructural integrity SpeakinQ for the City En�ineers Associatian of �[innesota (CEAivt), Krumm and l�faczho told the commit- tee haw di�cuit it was to maintain structural inte�riry in stree[s tha[ have been cut and patched_ Krumm showed siide after slide of "ribbon cuts" -- often no mare titan 18 inches wide -- rurtning [he len�th of many city blocks. Krurnm said the patches made Page 3-�-- Surplus graws I Page 4— Spring fioods? The staie budget surplus grew by � The snow will eventually melt, �81.5 miilion during November and ciiies need to think now and December. about Federai flaod insurance. to repair the streee to i[s original condition simply don't do t4ie job. "No engineer in the world woul�C say that this street is repaired to its original condition," Krumm told the committee, pointing to an patch [ess than two fee� wide. "You can't pack the soil in a patch this wide. That patch wiIl eventually fail:' In addition to the obvious direct impaces, such as [he cost of street repairs and infrastructure, GEAM is concerned with the ]ess obvious indirect impacts of rights of way work. Maczko told the committee of in- creased risk for workers in a crowded right of way, increased cflngestion and delays for drivers, and increased air and noise pollution. He aiso described the incceased Eiability that results when thick copQer [ines are replaced 8y thin,. fiber optic lines carryin; � sca�gerin, amount of information. "A worker with � shovei couldn't cut [hrou�h copper this thick," �(aczko said as he held a piece of 10 inc� conduit above his head. "But a shovel could easily cue this" he said as he heid up a typical fber optic cable, no thicicer than a garden hose. Maczko also told the commiteee that CEA��f agrees with indastry arguments against different riQhts of way mana;emene ordinances in each city. Maczko said the work done by the Lesgue and CEAM on a model ordinance wouid help avoid tha� type of situation. He said that worl: continues oi3 the ordinance in response ta the recent Appeals Court decision, and that the ordinance should be available soon_ � �