Council discusses utility easement to add electrical service at lower reservoir

Staff presented a proposal to authorize a real estate utility easement so the city can obtain electrical service at the lower reservoir. Staff said there is currently no power at the lower reservoir and that valves frequently flood with brown water; adding power would allow installation of a sump pump to keep the space dry and reduce corrosion of valves and equipment.

The discussion covered who would be responsible for installation and future relocation costs. Staff said the city would pay the cost of installing the service line and noted the easement would permit the utility to run the service; staff contrasted this case with a prior parking garage easement where relocation costs later fell to the city because the main line was involved. Staff said the current request is for a private service to the city's property and expected the easement arrangement to be different from the prior main-line case.

Staff told the council the budget for the work is forthcoming and that the easement is budgeted in the 2024 budget; a purchase order had already been issued to NYSIG for related work. Council consensus was to move the item forward, but the transcript does not record a formal council vote in this excerpt.