HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10018 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10018
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 13, 2017
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s SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF PRIVATE UTILITY
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1675 CONSTRUCTION
The purpose of this informal report is to provide information on notification procedures to property
owners when private utility companies are performing construction.
The City's Utility Construction Policy (the "Policy") requires private utility companies and/or their
contractors to obtain a permit before performing construction in the public right of way. Over the
past three years, an average of 7,200 permits have been issued by the City. Normally, private
utility companies also need to obtain a permit when performing work in private utility easements
because private utility infrastructure usually cross a public right of way as part of the work effort.
After a private utility company receives a permit, the Policy requires notification to affected
property owners at least 48 hours prior to work being initiated ("Notification"). The Policy does not
specify how the Notification to property owners must be sent. It usually occurs through an
informational door hanger placed on the affected properties and via a sign placed on or near the
affected property. In general, the Notification includes the following information:
• name of the company or contractors;
• type of work that will be performed;
• when work should be expected to start;
• contact information for the company and/or contractor performing the work; and
• how the affected property will be restored.
In many situations, this information is distributed early in the work effort, prior to the process of
locating and marking existing utility lines. In many cases, the Notification provides information on
what locate markings (the colored lines/flags that identify where existing utilities are located)
mean to better inform residents.
City staff will be working with the private utility companies as part of our overall effort to update
the Policy. As the City looks to improve all customer relations, efforts will be directed at creating a
more uniform standard of required information included in each Notification, —i.e. more complete
definition of the construction process from locating/marking of existing utilities through final
restoration efforts. Finally, technology can allow for easier communications with residents and as
such, staff is looking into a longer term improvement that would allow utility work areas to be
searchable electronically through the City website.
If you should have questions, please contact Douglas Wiersig, TPW Director, at 817-392-7801.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS