Title
Approving a parkland diversion request from Xcel Energy for the construction of a gas house in the Highland Park/West 7th neighborhood.
Body
WHEREAS, Xcel Energy (“Xcel”) has requested the diversion of a portion of city park land near the West 7th Street, Lexington Avenue and Montreal Avenue intersection within Highland Park (the “Park Property”) for use by Xcel as a gas house for the purposes of pipeline construction, inspection and service, as depicted on the drawing attached hereto as Attachment A, a copy of which is on file in the Office of Financial Services, Real Estate Section, file number 02-PKLDVRS-2015; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks & Recreation has determined that the Park Property is of adequate size, shape and location for installation and maintenance of the gas house and gas pipes, that the gas house will be designed and landscaped to complement and blend into the park and the neighborhood, and Xcel warrants that it will restore any damaged facilities, including replacement and maintenance of any plantings impacted by construction until healthy and accepted by city staff; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Commission supports Xcel’s use or “diversion” of the Park Property, as stated in its resolution, Number 15-06, adopted April 8, 2015, and shown on Attachment B; and
WHEREAS, staff from the Departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Works recommend granting to Xcel a permanent easement for the use of the Park Property for said gas house facility, and Xcel has agreed to pay just compensation as determined by an independent appraisal pursuant to Section 13.01.1 of the Saint Paul City Charter; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized and directed to grant to Xcel said permanent easement over said Park Property in a form and content substantially as set forth in Attachment C; to accept just compensation from Xcel Energy; to deposit the Park Property portion into the Parkland Replacement Fund, which is to be held in reserve for future purchase of park property as required in Chapter 13.01.1 of the City Charter; and to be fully compensated by Xcel for all fees required by the City to comply with its parkland diversion guidelines.