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Iowa City Council approves pipeline easement and renews utility franchises; several consent items cleared
Summary
The Council unanimously approved a renewable natural gas pipeline easement and expedited and adopted five-year franchise ordinances for MidAmerican Energy (electric and gas) and Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative (including a 2% franchise fee); several consent-calendar motions and a deferral were also approved.
At a regular meeting the Iowa City Council unanimously approved a set of routine and utility items, including a resolution conveying a gas pipeline easement to accommodate renewable natural gas infrastructure and final passage of multiple five-year franchise ordinances.
On the renewable natural gas project at the wastewater-treatment facility, staff said the easement will allow relocation of a gas line on city property to support distribution of renewable natural gas. The Council approved the resolution by a roll-call vote, 7–0.
The Council also expedited and adopted franchise ordinances for MidAmerican Energy Company (electric and natural gas franchises, five-year terms) and granted a franchise to Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative that includes authorization for a 2% franchise fee on gross electric revenues within city limits. Each ordinance was adopted after the Council suspended the usual requirement for two meetings prior to final passage; all franchise actions passed 7–0.
Other procedural actions: the consent calendar (items 3–7) was approved 7–0; the Council voted 7–0 to indefinitely defer item 6I at staff request and accepted correspondence for item 6 by the same margin. Councilors expressed support for the renewable-gas project—one commented, "Still excited about this project. Thanks to Public Works." The meeting then moved to announcements and adjournment.
