Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/10/1999

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DISCUSSION OF NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY PIPELINE By: Cindy Sherman, Community Development Director CASE # Background: Northern Natural Gas Company is intending to install a 16 inch line within an existing easement that currently has an 6 inch line in the northern part of Ramsey. The line provides natural gas to NSP and Minnegasco and is needed to provide service to the area. The line is 14.7 miles long and runs from Hugo to Elk River. The company will be acquiring additional easement rights, some are proposed to be temporary and some are permanent. Observations: The City of Ramsey does not have a review requirement for installation this type ofpipeline. We were contacted by the pipeline company and told them that we did not have a permit requirement in our community for the general insta[latlon but permits to cross rights~of-way would be required. They have submitted information for the permits required. They have also submitted requests for additional easement necessary for the installation of the pipeline on City owned land. They are also working with individual property owners in regard to easement acquisition. The cash proposal to acquire the necessary easements is $27,533. Since alt of the parcels affected are park parcels staff is recommending that the funds be directed to a park purpose. In this case we recommend that the funds be directed to the community built playground in Central Park. The funds would replace the fundraising that is necessary under the current budget and would allow more energy to be spent on organizing volunteers for the actual construction. Mark Boos has reviewed each of the site locations and has proposed site work, restoration, tree relocation and tree removal. Additionally, trees from the City's Brookview nursery will be transplanted to Ermine Creek Park. This work is proposed in addition to the monetary compensation. The proposed agreement regarding the pipeline easements is attached. There are stakes located on the properties if Councilmembers wish to visit any of the sites. Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council approve the agreement regarding the dedication of easements and work related to the installation of the pipeline across City property and direct that the funds submitted for easement be directed to the community built playground at Central Park.