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River <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Item <br /> <br />Memorandum <br /> <br /> MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL <br /> <br /> STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND <br /> ZONING ADMINISTRATOR <br /> <br /> April 9, 2001 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />CONSIDER CHANGES TO <br />REGULATING WORK IN CITY <br />RIGHTS-OF-WAY <br /> <br />In an attempt to control the unprecedented volume of work being conducted by various <br />utilities in our rights-of-way, the city, for the first time, started requiring permits for this <br />work last year. Permits for working in city right-of-way fall into three categories: <br /> Street Disruption Permits for installing utilities mains, usually parallel to a <br /> street (new permit). <br /> > Utility Hook-up Permits for connecting a building to a utility such as gas, phone, <br /> etc. (new permit) <br /> ~ Sewer and Water Hook-up Permits for connecting a building to sewer and <br /> water (existing permit) <br /> <br />More than 40 (forty) gas line hits were reported by utilities doing work in rights-of-way <br />within the city limits during 2000. Whereas, some of the gas line hits were probably <br />unavoidable accidents, others were because of not having existing utilities located, <br />missed located existing utilities or not following safety requirements when digging. This <br />severe safety issue has prompted staff to recommend changes to the city's regulations on <br />working in rights-of-way. These changes fall into the following categories: <br /> <br />Education - To ensure that all crews are aware of proper safety procedures, staff <br />is recommending that at least one person per crew that has had training within the <br />last year regarding Gopher State regulations be on the job at all times. The city <br />will look into hosting a training session each spring. <br /> <br />Additionally, pre-construction meetings will be encouraged on larger jobs and a <br />main meeting will be hosted by the city each March. Various city departments as <br />well as affected utilities will be represented at these meetings. These meetings <br />will hopefully identify potential problems so they can be avoided. <br /> <br />Permits - Several changes to the language in the city's permit application will be <br />made to emphasize regulations. Identifying subcontractors and the crewmember <br />with Gopher State training will be required information on the applications. <br />Reference to Gopher State rules and the 911 protocol that is to be used when a <br /> <br />Phone: 763.441.7420 <br /> 763 441 7425 <br />Fax: . 'ccS.docs:\b&z\stever\cc5.doc <br /> <br />www. ci .elk-fiver. mn .us <br /> <br />5.2. <br /> <br /> <br />