HomeMy WebLinkAbout2880 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2M6
A RESOLUTION establishing criteria for consideration of financial
assistance for underground conversion of overhead electric utilities in the
Downtown Area.
WHEREAS, the existence of overhead electric and communication facilities, particularly
in the older downtown commercial area, fosters visual clutter as well as potential electrical
hazards,both of which can be eliminated by their conversion to underground facilities; and
WHEREAS, the high cost of converting overhead electric and communication facilities
to underground is often a deterrent to the inclusion of such elements in redevelopment projects;
and
WHEREAS, RCW 35.96.010 explicitly declares underground conversion of overhead
facilities to be a substantial benefit to public safety and welfare, is in the public interest and is a
public purpose; and
WHEREAS, City participation in such conversion projects, is sometimes enough
incentive for private investors in redevelopment projects to include the conversion of adjacent
overhead lines to underground as part of the associated investment project; and
WHEREAS, such partnerships not only reduce the cost for each of the participants, they
are often the catalyst that causes the conversion to occur and, ultimately, the encouragement that
results in the aesthetic and safety benefits subsequently enjoyed by the community and its
citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to encourage public-private partnerships which will include
conversion of overhead facilities to underground within the downtown area;
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO,
WASHINGTON DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby establishes a policy to encourage the
undergrounding of electrical utilities located within the downtown area.
Section 2. Financial assistance may be provided by the City to encourage
underground conversion of existing overhead electrical facilities if approved by the City Council
after consideration of the following requirements.
(a) Assistance shall be limited to projects located within the boundaries of the Pasco
Downtown Development Association as they may be amended hereafter.
(b) City assistance shall be contingent upon availability of funds.
(c) Assistance shall only be available to undergrounding projects which are at least one
City block in length.
(d) Funding assistance shall not exceed 50% of the direct cost of undergrounding the
Public Utility District electrical service. No assistance shall be used to pay for
undergrounding other overhead utilities including, but not limited to, cable TV and
telephone utilities.
(e) Assistance shall be limited to projects with a new private investment value of at
least $500,000 and which make a significant contribution to downtown
revitalization and which comport with the Downtown Revitalization Action Plan.
(f) The amount of financial assistance per individual project shall be at the discretion of
the City Council pursuant to the foregoing criteria, provided that total City
assistance shall not exceed $50,000 per block.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco,this 'Say of 52005.
CITY OF PASCO:
ichael L. Garrison
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sandy L. enworthy Leland B. Kerr
Deputy City Clerk City Attorney