Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Denton Municipal Electric
CM/ ACM: Howard Martin
Date: August 23, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Consider approval of a resolution by the City Council for the construction, expansion, and use of an electric power transmission /distribution substation located at the southeastern corner of West Eagle Drive and Bernard Street, in the City of Denton, Denton County Texas, as part of Denton Municipal Electric’s service territory. [Eagle Substation]
Body
BACKGROUND
The Denton Municipal Electric (DME) Capital Improvement Plan includes a project to reconstruct its electric transmission system. Its current capacity is inadequate for expected future load. The need for a substation in the vicinity of the UNT campus has been identified and shared with the community.
DME held two open houses to inform the community regarding the siting of the proposed substation sites and received feedback. The first meeting was held at the City of Denton Civic Center on the evening of May 20, 2015. The second meeting was held on July 23, 2015 at Calhoun Middle School in Denton, TX.
A public hearing was held by the City Council on October 20, 2015 where input from members of the public was heard. The Council directed at that meeting that the “Blue” option be removed from future consideration.
Another presentation was made in closed session to the Public Utility Board on July 11, 2016 and to the City Council in closed session on July 19, 2016 which concluded that the Orange option with GIS equipment was the preferred location and configuration.
OPTIONS
1. Adopt a resolution to select the “Orange Option” site
2. Do not approve the site option and direct that other actions be taken.
3. Table discussion and postpone it for another meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
In light of information received during the open house meetings, and in the PUB’s public hearing, DME recommends that the City Council approve the Orange option (Exhibit 4).
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
The Public Utility Board met on October 12, 2015 and convened a Public Hearing regarding the site selection above. Staff presented and the PUB considered the ‘Yellow’, ‘Orange’, ‘Green’ and ‘Blue’ site options contained in Exhibit 4. By a vote of 6-1, the PUB recommended that the City Council approve the 911 Bernard St. (a/k/a ‘Green’) site option. On October 20, 2015 the City Council directed that the “Blue” option be eliminated leaving a future decision between the ‘Yellow’, ‘Orange’ and “Green’ options. On July 11, 2016 the PUB recommended the City Council select the Orange Option. On July 19, 2016, the City Council decided on the Orange Option with GIS equipment.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Public Infrastructure
Related Goal: 2.3 Promote superior utility services and facilities
EXHIBITS
1. Project Information
2. System Map
3. Location Map
4. Site Options Map
5. Resolution
Respectfully submitted:
Phil Williams
General Manager
Prepared by:
Elizabeth Bell
Denton Municipal Electric