Res 2000 - 29 Relating to Creation of a Steering Committee & Appointment of an Independent Technical Consultant to Revidew the Environmental Impact of NSP's Proposed Double Circuit 115KV Transmission LineCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 00-29
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO CREATION OF A STEERING COMMITTEE
AND APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
TO REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF NSP'S
PROPOSED DOUBLE CIRCUIT 115KV TRANSMISSION LINE
WHEREAS, it has been proposed by NSP that in order to maintain and improve
electrical service to its customers in the Southeast Metro Communities of Sunfish Lake,
Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, Newport, Bloomington
and surrounding communities, an additional 115kV transmission circuit must be
constructed from the Red Rock 345kV Substation in Newport, west to the Rogers Lake
115kV Substation in Mendota Heights, and continuing to the west; as proposed on file in
Planning Case No. 99-11; and
WHEREAS, NSP has sought or will be seeking Conditional Use permits from
each city under their respective zoning ordinances to add a 115kV circuit by modifying
or replacing the existing transmission line to allow an additional circuit and to modify the
respective substations to accept the additional transmission line circuit; and
WHEREAS, the Mendota Heights City Council has determined that, before it
acts on NSP's zoning application, it desires more comprehensive information from NSP
on the electric system need, feasible alternatives to meet the need and their impacts,
with review and input from an independent consultant; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires and requests that the Cities of Sunfish
Lake and South St. Paul support the expanded study and independent consultant
review; and
WHEREAS, NSP has received indications from both of these cities that they
would support a single review process for additional information looking at the regional
impact of NSP's proposal to determine if there are any reasonably viable alternatives
thereto; and
WHEREAS, Mendota Heights and NSP desire that the study be completed by
July 15, 2000, in order that the City may act on this application in a reasonable time
thereafter; and
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Mendota Heights, as well as the Cities of Sunfish Lake and South St. Paul -if they so
resolve, will cooperate to cause an independent consultant review of the environmental
impact of NSP's proposed modification to the existing 115kV transmission line,
assessing the need, feasible alternatives to meet NSP's need, and the environmental,
health and property impacts of feasible alternatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in support of the above, the City Council of
the City of Mendota Heights hereby directs the following actions be taken to carry out
the environmental impact review:
1. NSP as well as the City of Mendota Heights will designate a
representative to a Steering Committee which will coordinate NSP's efforts
on this regional environmental impact review (EIR) and NSP will request
the Cities of Sunfish Lake and South St. Paul to also appoint a
representative.
2. The Steering Committee will coordinate the interests and input from the
three cities in order to maintain an efficient and effective process.
3. The Steering Committee shall select and procure an independent
technical consultant capable of analyzing the specific information needs
as noted in the issues listed below. NSP shall pay the cost and expenses
of the independent technical consultant. The independent technical
consultant shall be responsible to and shall report to the Steering
Committee.
4. The EIR will address the following issues:
a.) Needs assessment for the NSP proposal and reasonable
alternatives, including, but not limited to, rerouting the line or
placing it underground.
b.) Consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health and other
qualified experts to determine if residential exposure to Electro -
Magnetic Fields from the proposed Southeast Metro Transmission
line constitutes a hazard to human health, and specifically, whether
proximity to this proposed transmission line poses a health hazard
to human beings.
c.) Determine EMF levels of the proposed overhead transmission line
and its alternatives. Such levels shall be determined at the edge of
the right-of-way and at the nearest residential structure.
d.) Identification of residential structures adjacent to the proposed
Southeast Metro Transmission Line. Evaluate the potential for
acquisition of homes by NSP and tax base replacement.
e.) Identification of NSP's long range plans for changes in the Twin
Cities Metro area transmission grid system to provide reliable
electric power to the SE Metro area.
f.) Evaluate the minimum easement width for the proposed Southeast
Metro transmission line, review of height and spacing of poles,
distances between lines and residential structures and the effects
of lightning on a double circuit transmission line.
g.)
Visual impacts of the proposed Southeast Metro transmission lines
on existing and alternative routes. Available choices in material
and color of poles.
h.) Potential effects on property values resulting from the proposed
improvements versus the potential effects of alternative routes .
i.) Determining audible noise level changes at various distances from
the right-of-way centerline caused by each alternative.
1.)
Environmental impact of the proposed Southeast Metro
transmission line on Dodge Nature Center.
5. The Steering Committee will make reasonable efforts to complete the effort
by July 15, 2000, in order that the City may act on this application in a
reasonable and expedient manner .
6. NSP shall agree to an extension of the 120 -day review period for this
Conditional Use Permit, which otherwise would have terminated on April 9,
2000, for a period of five months.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this fourth day of April,
2000.
Charles E. Mertensotto, Mayor
Attest:
Kathleen M. Swanson, City Clerk