Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
title
Right of Entry Agreement and Amendment to Existing Permanent Easement with Xcel Energy for Battle Creek Regional Park
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Approve a Right of Entry Agreement with the Northern States Power Company, d/b/a Xcel Energy located at 414 Nicolette Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401 for the Pig’s Eye section of Battle Creek Regional Park to maintain its existing infrastructure.
2. Approve the Temporary Construction easement with Xcel Energy for the proposed construction project.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the temporary construction easement.
4. Approve the amendment of the permanent easement for the Xcel Energy infrastructure maintenance.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments in accordance with the county's procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are consistent with compensation requirements within the compensation section of the Right of Entry Agreement.
6. Authorize the County Manager to accept compensation funds from Xcel Energy to be given to the Parks & Recreation department to complete work identified within the compensation section of the Right of Entry Agreement.
7. Authorize the County Manager to establish a project budget of $$66,108 for Pig’s Eye Restoration in the Parks budget.
end
Background and Rationale
body
The existing 115 kV transmission network near Pigs Eye Lake Regional Park was built in the 1960s and has reached the end of its expected operational life. Xcel Energy plans to rebuild the infrastructure to meet continued electric reliability in the region. The project will modernize and enhance the performance of the transmission lines, ultimately improving reliability and minimizing the risk of outages.
The project entails separating the existing two transmission lines into separate circuits onto their own structures to ensure redundancy and reliability for customers in the area and the nearby Metropolitan Council's Wastewater Treatment Plant. This critical facility can only tolerate brief electric outages before the risk of wastewater discharge to the Mississippi River may occur. By replacing failing poles and separating this line into separate single circuit transmission lines, the risk of an unplanned outages to Xcel Energy's Battle Creek Substation and failure of the wastewater treatment facility will be significantly reduced.
Additionally, in recent years, national electric codes have been updated, and infrastructure that was built in previous decades may not meet current requirements. New and rebuilt lines will be upgraded to meet these new code requirements.
Northern States Power Company is the beneficiary of an easement for energy transmission infrastructure on land now owned by Ramsey County Parks & Recreation. This request seeks the approval of a temporary access for the construction project and an amendment to the existing permanent easement that expands the easement extents to allow for the necessary additional transmission lines.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This is an Xcel Energy project that requires access to county property; however, this project will have a regional impact. By providing improved service delivery for businesses and residents. The project supports investments in the infrastructure of regional park systems that benefit all residents.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There was no county related community participation completed in regard to the easement work requested by Xcel Energy.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Xcel Energy is responsible for all project costs. A compensation section has been developed and is included within the appraisal letter and outlined in the Right of Entry Agreement. The county will be compensated $83,108.07 for easement amendment and tree replacement. Parks is requesting a project funding code in this request.
Xcel Energy has also prepared documentation for the temporary construction easement and an amendment to the permanent easement including legal description, appraisal, and compensation offer for the acceptance by the County. The easement amendment compensation offer is $17,000.00 and is not part of the restoration compensation identified for the tree mitigation and site restoration. This compensation should be directed to the Parks operating budget in 2026. The tree mitigation and restoration mitigation compensation are $66,108. This compensation shall be directed to the parks Regional Park maintenance fund to be utilized for natural resource restoration work.
Last Previous Action
None
Attachments
1. Right of Entry Agreement
2. Temporary Construction Easement
3. Permanent Easement Amendment
4. Offer Letter
5. Appraisal