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Council approves $35,707 payment to MidAmerican for utility relocation; members press for policy review
Summary
The council approved a $35,707.02 payment to MidAmerican to relocate electrical equipment at a city water tower; several councilors criticized the recurring practice of taxpayers paying to move utility-owned equipment and asked staff to review franchise agreements and policy options.
The Rock Island City Council authorized payment of $35,707.02 to MidAmerican for relocating primary electrical equipment at the 2932 24th Street water tower after staff said the work was necessary to restore water-service continuity and was completed under time constraints.
Alderman Parker (identified in roll-call) and other council members questioned why the city would pay to move a utility’s own equipment and urged staff to pursue regulatory or contractual remedies. One councilor said, “MidAmerican should pay to move MidAmerican's property,” characterizing the company as uncooperative in some recent projects. Public works staff said the relocation stemmed from easement issues and that the action complied with the franchise agreement and city emergency procurement policies because the tower could not be kept out of service.
Council approved the payment on a roll call vote. Several members asked staff to follow up on whether the cost falls within the franchise agreement and to consider municipal options to limit similar future charges to taxpayers.
