Solid Waste board authorizes $9,560 to bury misplaced Duke Energy lines at new recycling facility

The Johnson County Solid Waste Management District on July 11 authorized payment of $9,560.16 from bond proceeds to have Duke Energy place distribution lines underground at the district’s new recycling facility to clear vehicle lanes required by the district’s site plans. Board members voted in favor after hearing staff and the district’s engineer recommend the work to finish final paving and secure temporary occupancy conditions.

The board’s request grew out of a disagreement over how Duke Energy relocated overhead lines during site construction. District counsel said the contractor and field crews had not moved poles as the plans required; instead, they relocated lines in a way that left them within the facility’s “a-cell” and “d-cell” vehicle lanes. The district’s engineer and project staff concluded the most effective fix was to bury the lines.

The district will apply credit for work already paid and pay Duke Energy the additional $9,560.16 to run the lines underground, an amount the presenter said was roughly equivalent to what it would have cost to have the poles moved correctly in the first place. “Assuming the city grants their approvals, we would like the authority to move forward with this additional Duke invoice of $9,560.16, to get those buried underground,” the presenter told the board.

Wes, a district staff member who reviewed Duke’s work plan, told the board the bore will be coordinated to include other utilities that share the same support structure. “It’s my understanding that that 3. Nation is done — all at the same time,” Wes said, adding MetroNet and JC Fiber were notified and that MetroNet did not anticipate costs; JC Fiber had not yet responded. The presenter added that the contractor will minimize disturbance by only boring under the drive and directing runs north and south of the drive where practical.

Board members asked whether the $9,560.16 would cover any costs MetroNet or JC Fiber might charge. The presenter said those utilities had been notified and that the district would be “very conscientious” and immediately inform the board if any extraordinary expenses arose. The board approved the payment by voice vote after a motion and second; the chair called for aye and the motion carried.

The board said the work will allow final asphalting to proceed and help the district obtain final site completion. Staff said engineers approved Duke’s written work plan and that the city had issued a temporary occupancy permit that made it important to finish utility relocations.

The district framed the action as corrective: staff and counsel said the district would seek credit for previously paid costs and that undergrounding represents a durable solution that aligns with city preferences and reduces roadside obstructions.

No statute or court action was cited during the discussion; funding for the work will come from the district’s bond proceeds, as stated at the meeting.