Minutes 08/09/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AUQust 9. 2005 05 - 356 - Adoption of a resolution granting an easement to Columbia Gas of Virginia Inc. to replace the existing gas line that serves Churchland with an eight inch line that will be placed under the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River below the river bottom and to the south of the Churchland Bridge. Vision Principle: Neighborhood and Community Transformation. Background: . The parent company Columbia Gas of Virginia, NiSource Corporation, presently has an existing six inch diameter gas main serving the Churchland section of Portsmouth that is suspended to the underside of the Churchland bridge. Due to the gas main's age and condition, NiSource has indicated that the line needs to be replaced. . Because of regulatory and necessary maintenance requirements, NiSource's corporate policy is to remove any gas lines attached to bridges when normal maintenance requires their replacement. . Bya process referred to as directional drilling, NiSource proposes to replace the existing line with an eight inch line that will be placed under the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River below the river bottom and to the south of the Churchland Bridge. This will avoid any possible future conflict with the Churchland Bridge. Discussion: . The proposed location of the new gas line will be in the park area on the Churchland side of the bridge. The new line will be installed from approximately the middle of that park (see attached plat), and then connected to the existing line between Duke Drive and the bridge. . The location shown was chosen to provide a separation from the bridge and to have an area where all of the line can be laid out in preparation for installation. The new line will extend west on Green Acres Parkway during installation. . NiSource is requesting an easement from the City of Portsmouth, allowing the gas line to be located as shown. Staff concurs with the request for an easement since the intent for the subject property is to remain a park. . Financial Impact: There is no financial impact from the granting of the subject easement. Staff Recommends: Adoption of a resolution granting an easement to Columbia Gas of Virginia Inc. to replace the existing gas line that serves Churchland with an eight inch line that will be placed under the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River below the river bottom and to the south of the Churchland Bridge. Vision Principle: Neighborhood and Community Transformation. Next Steps Following Council Action: . Preparation of the required easement documents, and oversight of the construction process. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Whitehurst, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DEED OF EASEMENT FROM THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH TO COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA, INC. FOR INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PIPELINE AND APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT AND VALVE CONNECTIONS OVER, UNDER AND ACROSS LANDS OF THE CITY LYING ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF HIGH STREET AND THE WESTERN TERMINUS OF THE CHURCHLAND BRIDGE. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the City Manager be, and he hereby is, authorized to execute a deed of easement to Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. for the installation, operation and maintenance of a pipeline and appurtenant equipment and valve connections over, under and across lands of the City of Portsmouth lying adjacent to the south right of way line of High Street and the western terminus of the Churchland Bridge; and to execute such further documents and plats as may be required to give effect to said easement."