HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-094-10/18/2011-DIRECTING CERTAIN ACTIONS BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND PLA RESOLUTION 2011-094
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DIRECTING CERTAIN ACTIONS BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE COORDINATION
AND CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND PLATTE RIVER
POWER AUTHORITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DIXON CREEK
SUBSTATION TO HORSESHOE SUBSTATION TRANSMISSION
LINE PROJECT AND FOR FUTURE PROJECTS
WHEREAS, Platte River Power Authority("Platte River") is in the process of developing
new power transmission facilities as part of its Dixon Creek Substation to Horseshoe Substation
Transmission Line Project, and has planned to proceed with the initial work required for Phase III
(the "Project") of that larger project, the purpose of which is to complete a redundant 230 kV
transmission circuit to the City of Loveland and portions of Fort Collins; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Project, Platte River has proposed to install new and upgraded
transmission facilities in existing Western Area Power Administration ("WAPA") rights-of-way
across the City's Pineridge Natural Area("Pineridge" or the "Natural Area"); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has expressed concerns about the Project and has expressed
objections to the impacts the Project may have upon the Natural Area; and
WHEREAS, in light of the concerns raised regarding the Project,the City and Platte River
on August 26,2011,entered into an Interim Agreement staying work on the Project in order to allow
additional review and analysis of the Project,possible transmission-related alternatives to the Project
as originally planned by Platte River, and impacts, costs and benefits associated with such
alternatives; and
WHEREAS, the City and Platte River have worked cooperatively and shared the cost of
evaluating the foregoing,and those efforts are outlined and described in a report entitled"Pineridge
Transmission Alternatives Study, dated October 2011, by SAIC, a copy of which is on file in the
Office of the City Clerk and available for public inspection (the "Alternatives Report"), and which
Alternatives Report is incorporated herein by this reference; and
WHEREAS; the Alternatives Report and related analysis have identified no alternative to
the Project that is clearly preferable to the Project in light of the overall impacts, costs and benefits;
and
WHEREAS, Platte River has expressed serious concerns regarding further delay of the
Project in light of its desire to provide increased transmission capacity in certain areas of its
transmission system; and
WHEREAS, it is not the intent of the City Council to delay the Project if no constructive
benefit can be accomplished as a result of such delay; and
WHEREAS, Platte River staff has agreed to work closely with City staff to avoid and
minimize impacts to the Natural Area and surrounding properties in connection with the Project;and
WHEREAS, Platte River staff has further agreed to work closely with City staff to develop
a plan and procedure for future consultation and review of Platte River projects on or impacting
City-owned property and properties within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area, subject to
direction from the Board of Directors of Platte River; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council that the City Manager and City Attorney
work closely with Platte River staff, and that the City's representatives on the Platte River Board
of Directors work closely with their counterparts on the Platte River Board, in order to establish
procedures and policies that will improve the level of coordination and communication regarding
Platte River infrastructure and project planning.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Manager and City Attorney are directed to work with Platte
River staff to establish a process for coordination of the means by which Platte River will avoid,
minimize and offset damage to the Natural Area and the natural resources in the vicinity of the
Natural Area in connection with the Project and to document that process in a written letter of
understanding.
Section 2. That the City Manager and City Attorney are directed to work with Platte
River staff to develop and present for City Council and Platte River Board of Directors approval a
consultation and review process to be used by Platte River in connection with Platte River projects
on or impacting City-owned property and properties within the Fort Collins Growth Management
Area, to include provisions addressing the following items, together with such other provisions as
may be determined to be appropriate:
a. formal notice to the general public and property owners in the vicinity of the
proposed project;
b. formal notice to City representatives, including the Mayor and City Manager;
C. written description and analysis of alternative means to accomplish the project,
alternative routes,configurations and designs, and analysis of related impacts, costs
and benefits;
d. detailed analysis of natural resource, aesthetic and other impacts and evaluation of
means by which such impacts may be avoided, minimized, or offset; and
e. a process for soliciting and considering input by City boards and commissions and
the City Council.
Section 3. That the City Manager is directed to work with the City's representatives on
the Platte River Board of Directors and Platte River representatives in order to improve and expand
upon the degree of consultation and coordination between Platte River and its member cities in
connection with the ongoing and periodic development of plans for Platte River system
infrastructure.
Section 4. That the City Manager is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to
Platte River and to each of the member cities of Platte River.
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Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 18th
day of October A.D. 2011.
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