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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 1, 1988 PH (4)C 0 0 N C I L C 0 M M U N I C A i 0 N TO: THE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 1, 1988 FROM: THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE SUBJECT: TO CONSIDER CERTIFYING, AS ADEQUATE, THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) OF THE PROPOSED 230 KV ELECTRIC INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF LODI AND WESTERN AREA POWER ADNP4MRATION (WAPA) INDICATED ACTION: At the conclusion of the Public Hearing the City Council should determine if the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared by Power Engineers for the proposed 230 KV Electric. Interconnection between the City and WAPA is adequate and if so, certify the document. BACKGROUND Il47ORMATUN On W 5, 1988 the Electrical Utility Director, Power Engineers and the Coam unity Development Director conducted an administrative hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and the proposed project. The City Council conducted a similar hearing on W 25, 1988 at which, time the consultants presented a "White Paper" on the issues raised at the staff hearing. ?he certification of the Environmental Impact Report does not, of itself, approve the project. However, the route for the interconnection cannot be adopted without the EIR being certified as adequate. n E A S B. SCHROEO�R muni ty Development Director CC15/TXTD.01C May 25, 1988 LEGAL NUTLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IJM TO CONSIDER CERTIFYING, AS ADEQUATE, THE FKAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (z --!R) OF THE PROPOSED 230 KV ELECTRIC INTERCONMECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF IM AND THE WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, the 1 st day of June, 1988 at the hour of 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the todi City Council will conduct a Public Hearing in the Chambers of the Lodi City Council at 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, California, to consider certifying, as adequate, the Final Environmental Impact Report (E I R) of the proposed 230 KV Electric Interconnection between the City of Lodi and the Western Area Power Administration. Information regarding this item may be obtained in the office of the City Clet.. at 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, California or by phoning (209) 333-6702. All interested persons are invited to present their views either for or against the above proposal. Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein and oral statements pray be made at said hearing. If you challenge the Final Environment Impact Report in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk at, or prior to, the Public Hearing. Eiy Order of the Lodi City Council Alice M. Reimche City Clerk Dated: W 19, 1988 Approved as to form '0�j � Bobby W, hIc Na t t City Attorney MEMORANDUM, City of Lodi, Community Development Department TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DATE: MAY 31, 1988 SUBJECJ7: FIl',IDP4GS FOR APPROVAL DIRECT INTERCONNECTION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT A. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Visual Resources (DEIR) Page 3-6 and 58-59. The proposed transmission line structures will be approximately 101 feet tall. Because of their height, the poles can not be screened from view and will be visible from the surrounding area. Findinn Because of the flat terrain and low height of the existing vegetation, it is not possible to screen the transmission poles. The only method to eliminate the visual impact would be to underground the lines. This has been determined to be unfeasible due to the following: 1. Cost - Four to ten times overhead line costs; would increase total project costs by approximately two to three times. 2. Right of Way Impacts - During construction, a continuous trench 4s required for underground cable versus one or more holes at pole locations (500-1000 intervals) for overhead lines. 3. Right of Way Access - Access to right of way is required throughout its length for underground cable; pole access only, for the most part, is required for overhead lines. 4. Vulnerability - Underground transmission is vulnerable to leaks, dig -ins, washouts, seismic events and cooling system failures. 5. Outage Duration - Typical outage durations for underground transmission are days or weeks versus hours for overhead lines. 6. Maintenance - Underground transmission requires specialized skills and equipment. 7. Reliability - Underground transmission is less reliable than overhead transmission. B. IMPACT - AGRICULTURAL 0PERA1101*,S (DEIR Pages 11, 14, 61 and 62) The proposed transmission lines may temporarily disrupt agricultural operations during construction. This disruption will be of short duration, taking only as long as it takes to erect the poles and place the wires. Location of the line along the Highway 12 right-cf-way -1- FINDING4/TXTD.0IC will permit access from the existing roadway, reducing the impact on private property. The project will require the permanent removal o f 17 acres of agricultural land. Of that, less than one acre will be required for all of the transmission poles. Finding The only long term effect on farming operations may be on the aerial application of agricultural chemicals. Fields immediately adjacent to the transmission line will be more difficult to crop -dust by air. Traditional north -south flying patterns nny require modification for areas adjacent to the lines. Aerial side dressing of field ends adjacent to the transmission lines at right angles to the crop row can, however, still produce satisfactory coverage with minimal additional cost for materials. C. "ACT - ELECTRO -MAGNETIC EFFECTS (DEIR Pages 53-57) There has been concern expressed about the electro -magnetic effects related to high voltage transmission lines and their effects on humans. The area of particular concern is whether they present human health risks. Findina The results of recent research with regard to the effects of electric and magnetic fields on biological systems are inconclusive and more research is needed. Although the State of California has not adopted any standard for electro -magnetic fields, a number of other entities have guidelines. The calculated electric field levels for the proposed 230 KV line project meets all current electric field regulations and guidelines. Magnetic field levels for the proposed project are comparable to exposure levels within homes and are unlikely to have any adverse effect on biological systems. 5. OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS The construction of the propose 230 KV project will allow the City to meet its long range electric service cost, capacity and reliability goals by: 1. Minimizing the long-term cost of service to the City's electric customers, through rate stabilization, by reducing transmission service charges. 2. Enabling the City to purchase power on a direct basis from the lowest cost available source. 3. Providing additional firm, reliable transmission capacity to serve new consumers, particularly for anticipated industrial growth. The proposed 230 KV project represents the best alternative to achieve the City's goals. The route provides the best balance between -2- Flivul�;-;TXTD.OIC engineering design, economics and environmental considerations. Every attempt has been made to reduce the adverse environmental impacts to the absolute minimum. -3- FINDING4/TXTD.aic Lodi City 'ouncil ✓ 221 .. Pine t. Lodi-, C:. 95-940 ::fear Council e::ibers As property owners on nest highway 12 ny husband and I wish to be noted as opposing the proposed above ;-round 230 KV electric interconnection between. the City of 1..odi and the destern urea Power Administration. ie find the EI�.r' to be incomplete and strongly believe that the lines would. impact our land values and farming operation in a negative way. It appears that the cost figures for an alternative (und-rground) connection are vague and incomplete. We feel that it would be improper, unwise and unfair to proceed before the economics are fully understood. Si erely, Carol Laucnland (Mrs. James R . Lauchland) CITY COUNCIL JAXtLS 1V PINKERrON, Jr. .%Ia%t)r JOHN R. (Randy) SNIDER Mayor Pro Tempore DAVID M, HINCHMAN EVEILYN M. OLSON FRED M. REID CITY OF LODI CITY HALL. 221 NEST PIKE STREET CALL BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 334-5634 SEtfC�3PtER (2091 3336795 My 24, 1988 Nt Helen McPherson Court Reporter 1351 West Oak Street Stockton, CA Dear Ms. McPherson: I ItONIAS A. PE rERSON City &tanager MICE :fit REIMCHE City Clerk ROIs McNATT City Attorney This letter will confirm our telephone conversation of this date whereby vie requested that, in addition to the Public Hearing to be conducted at the June 1, 1988 City Council meeting, if you would also take all motions that are made and voted upon during the balance of the agenda for that meeting. Very truly yours, Alice M. Reimche City Clerk MR: j j CITY COUNCIL JAMES %V PINKEVON. Ir ata%cx JOHN R (Randy) SNI' -.R Mayor Pro Tempore DAV ID M HINCHMAN EVELYN M. OLSON FRED M. REID Helen McPherson Court Reporter 1351 West Oak Street Stockton, CA Dear Ms. McPherson: CITY OF NODI CITY HALL. 221 WEST PINE STREET CALL 13OX 3006 LODI. CALIFORMA 95241-'.910 (209) 334-5634 tEIF(:OPIER (209)333-b79i NtV 9, 1988 THOMAS A PETERSON City Manager ALICE M REIMCHE City Clerk BOB McNATT City Attorney This letter will confirm our telephone conversation with your office whereby ve have requested the services of a court reporter for the fot lowing dates: a) Public Hearing - Wednesday, May 25, 1988, 7:30 p.m. , Fine Arts Building, Hutc;Tins Street Square, corner of Hutchins Street and Oak Street, Lodi. b) Public Hearing - Wednesday, June 1, 1988, 7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers, 221 West Pine Street, Lodi. The subject of both of these public hearings is the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the City of Lodi Direct Interconnection Project. W have enclosed a copy of the subject docum"Ient so that you can familiarize yourself with the topic prior to the hearings. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call this office. Very truly yours, &a, Alice M. 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