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Mountlake Terrace council reviews draft Puget Sound Energy franchise; second reading set for Nov. 20
Summary
Council reviewed a draft franchise ordinance and franchise agreement with Puget Sound Energy, held a public hearing with no public testimony, and were advised by counsel that state law requires two public readings; council scheduled a second reading for Nov. 20 and took no final vote tonight.
Mountlake Terrace city staff presented a revised franchise ordinance and draft franchise agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and the council opened and closed a public hearing with no members of the public testifying. Public Works Director Gary Shimek and city legal counsel Lisa Marshall outlined changes from the city’s original 1982 franchise including updated insurance and identification standards, a revised term structure that allows two optional five‑year extensions, and clarified responsibility for relocation of PSE facilities when a city project or private development requires it.
Shimek told the council the modernized agreement updates standards and best practices and “in the case of the city project…they will be required to fund that relocation,” while “in the case of a private development project…the private development would be paying for that relocation.” Marshall told the council that some franchise provisions that used to appear in local agreements are now codified in state law and that, substantively, the city’s relationship with PSE is similar to past practice.
The council moved to open the public hearing; staff reported no one had signed up to speak in person or online and no written testimony was offered. The council was advised by counsel that state law requires two public readings for franchise agreements; the second reading and possible adoption were scheduled for the Nov. 20 meeting. No final adoption vote was taken on Nov. 6.
Council members asked procedural questions about the new extension language and staff confirmed PSE must request an extension within a specific window ahead of expiration (staff said the request must be made roughly 180 days before the franchise term ends). Council members also discussed relocation costs as the most significant practical change for projects that require moving utility facilities.
Staff said the packet included the 1982 agreement and the draft ordinance and franchise agreement; council members asked for and received confirmation that updated insurance and identification terms were included in the new draft. The council took no final action on the franchise ordinance at this meeting; the item will return for a second reading and possible adoption on Nov. 20.
