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Commission authorizes up to $10,000 to help relocate private electric service on College Avenue
Summary
Because a private overhead electric service and pole at 2513 College Avenue sit within recently acquired right-of-way and the homeowners lack funds to relocate it before the contractor’s May 1 deadline, the commission authorized staff to provide up-front payment not to exceed $10,000 to relocate the service, with repayment required if work is not completed to standards.
The Goshen Redevelopment Commission on March 10 authorized staff to provide up-front payment, not to exceed $10,000, to assist homeowners at 2513 College Avenue with relocating a private electrical service that must be moved out of the acquired right-of-way to allow College Avenue phase one utility relocation work.
Becky Hutzel, redevelopment director, explained that NIPCO Electric is relocating poles and that a private pole and underground service entrance serving the residence extend into the city’s acquired right-of-way. Staff said the homeowners recently purchased the property, were surprised by the extent of the right-of-way acquisition and stated they could not afford the relocation by the May 1 deadline. Hutzel said staff had contacted multiple contractors and that quotes to date were under the proposed cap but could change as work is refined.
Commission discussion focused on an appropriate not-to-exceed amount. One commissioner observed that $7,500 might be insufficient given potential complexities; commissioners agreed to set a not-to-exceed authorization of $10,000 to avoid repeated return requests. Hutzel said the city’s legal review found paying homeowners was consistent with compensation for project-related impacts when costs arise solely because of the public project. The motion passed unanimously (four to zero).
Staff said payment would be contingent on review of contractor quotes and that any payment would be repayable to the city if the work was not completed to NIPCO standards or applicable code.
