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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/04/2016 14 Notification Process for Franchised Private Utility Projects xs 1 s. n. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT Item No. 14. For Meeting of: October 4, 2016 ITEM TITLE: Informational item regarding addressing public notice concerns for franchised private utility projects SUBMITTED BY: Brett Sheffield, P.E., Chief Engineer 576 -6797 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At the September 20 City Council Meeting, residents in the Barge Chestnut Neighborhood asked about notification process for excavation and other utility permits. Please see the attached memo that addresses the issue. ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept the report. BOARD /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D merno 9129/2016 Cmer Memo Memorandum September 29, 2016 To: City Council From: Brett Sheffield, PE, Chief Engineer Subject: Public Notice Concerns Regarding Franchised Private Utility Projects At the September 20 City Council Meeting, residents of the Barge Chestnut Neighborhood Association testified about their concerns related to the lack of public notice for a fiber optic line extension in the street right of way of 34 Avenue, Chestnut Avenue and 30 Avenue. The fiber optic line is being installed as part of the Memorial Hospital improvements. Shortly after Robinson Brother's Construction (RBC) began installing the fiber optic line in late June, Dan Riddle, Street Break Inspector, received a call from the president of the BCNA requesting information about the construction. Dan explained to him what the installation of the fiber optic line would entail. The BCNA President thanked Dan for the information, and stated that he would send an email to all of the members of the BCNA. The next day, Dan and Bruce Floyd, Construction Supervisor, met with Dave Klinkenberg, Project Manager of RBC, and Dave admitted that he had dropped the ball and not informed the residents of the work that they were doing. On September 21 Tim Daniels, Project Inspector, spoke with Mike Orr of VK Powell (Prime Contract for the hospital expansion) and Tom Mackin of OAC Services, who manages the project for Memorial Hospital. Mike stated that they had sent out a letter to all of the residents around the construction area informing them of the work to be done. We have requested a copy of the letter, but have not yet received it. Tim also called Dale Meck on September 21 Dale's request was that the City provide notice to all of the citizens near the sites of "private construction contracts." As the Engineering Division only has one person (Street Break Inspector) that typically deals with all of the Excavation Permits, it is not practical to do this. However, there is currently a list of 13 standard condition requirements that must be adhered to as part of the permit. We propose to add condition 14 that will state, "All citizens living within 300 feet of the proposed construction must be given notice of the project a minimum of 2 working days prior to the beginning of construction." Bruce will remind the contractor that he is responsible for providing this notice at all of the preconstruction conferences.