Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Ev Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves easement allowing 12 publicly accessible EV chargers near River Street; some aldermen objected
Summary
The Board of Aldermen voted 12–3 to grant an easement allowing 12 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations on city‑controlled parking near River Street, moving chargers that were planned below grade into surface stalls after municipal safety rules forbade underground chargers.
The Board of Aldermen approved, 12–3, a city easement allowing 12 electric vehicle charging stalls on public property near 0 River Street to serve a MetroStar development and the public parking garage. The easement authorizes the mayor and city attorney to finalize an agreement granting access for installation, electrical service and ongoing public use of the stalls.
City staff said the developer originally planned charging units below grade in the parking garage but was required by a recently adopted municipal ordinance to remove below‑grade chargers because of safety concerns tied to lithium battery fires. Under the approved easement, the 12 chargers moved to surface public parking under city control will be available to the public; MetroStar’s deck locations remain controlled by the private property owner and may include additional chargers under the developer’s control.
The developer will cover installation and maintenance costs under the development agreement; the city will not receive direct revenue from those chargers and carries no maintenance obligation, city staff said. Alderman Pacelli confirmed the developer will pay the installation and maintenance costs and the public will have access to the 12 chargers.
Opponents argued the city was effectively granting access and ingress/egress rights and giving away a property interest without compensation. Alderman Smith urged the city to seek compensation when granting easements that enhance private development; other aldermen noted state statutes and the development agreement informed the arrangement. Alderman Marlowe and others said there was available deck space the developer could use instead of installing chargers on the public lot.
The measure passed 12–3 (yes: 12; no: 3). The approved easement also provides a means for cars to cross the MetroStar property to access the public parking area and chargers. City staff said the public lot will gain publicly controlled charging stalls that were otherwise planned below grade and thus not accessible under the municipal ordinance.
Implementation: the developer will install and maintain the chargers pursuant to the agreement; the city attorney will finalize documents and the mayor will sign them. The developer will control deck chargers on private property; public access to those deck chargers is subject to the development agreement terms. Aldermen asked staff to return language guidance for future easements that provide access across city property and suggested valuation/compensation may be appropriate in future deals.
