Allen DinkelCity Manager for Junction City
Each day we receive a number of calls here at the office and I receive my share of calls, e-mails and texts. These calls deal with a wide variety of topics. Some are just requesting information and yes, we do get calls from those who are not “Happy with Something” and they want to voice their opinion.
Recently we have been receiving calls about all of the trenching that is being done, throughout the City. Many know that Twin Valley is building high speed internet services across the entire City. Many are excited about this service that will be available, however at the current time there continues to be the placing of the fiber and conduit in the ground. This process has not been “pain free” and we have received a number of call at the office. One this week was from a resident that was concerned the markings made on his lawn. He was concerned as to why they came onto his property and sprayed paint markings and left small flags.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the franchise agreements that the City has with various utility companies that provide services within the City. This includes electric, natural gas, telephone and communication, and in this instance, fiber optic services. With the agreements, all of these firms are allowed to utilize the same areas that the City uses. This includes Right-of-Ways (ROW’s) which include streets and alleys in the parts of the community that still have alleys. There are also easements. Many people get the two terms mixed up at times. ROW’s are property owned by the public, where an easement is privately owned property and at some point, the City was given the ability to use this area for utilities by the property owners. In all cases the easements are of “record and are filed with the Geary County Register of Deeds office.
Most City streets are in the middle of the ROW. Let’s assume the right of way is 60 feet wide (this may vary in different portions of the City) and the street measures, let’s say 40 foot wide, from the back of the curb to the back of the curb. Divide the 60 by 2 and about 10 feet right of way on each side is behind the curb. Yes, this is owned by the City, but State Statute and City code place the responsibility to maintain this area by the adjacent property owner. We will get back to this in a few paragraphs.
The fiber optic infrastructure is being placed underground where there are other utilities already in place. Of course, the goal is not to hit another service, but in cases it does occur. The contractors call 811, like anyone should before you “Dig”. All of the registered utilities are contacted, and each company then marks the utilities they have buried. Some of the companies utilize a company to mark their lines, but others, like the City with water and sewer, mark their own utility. In the case of the City waterline, the newer lines have a tracer wire so the line can be located. Regardless. There are times the line is missed. With all the utilities, some have been underground, sight unseen for years.
This week there was 2 occasions when a natural gas line was hit. Unlike water lines that are severed, there is a safety concern that has to be dealt with it. Emergency crews are called and the safety of all is made the top priority.
On the water side, the City can only mark the water main. There have been issues with the contractors hitting lawn sprinklers that of course are not owned by the City. We also cannot always know where water lines and sewer lines are coming off of the main lines and owned by the property owner. Over the years, I have found that water and sewer lines gong to the house are not where you think they may be.
Some of the owners do reach out to us at the City Office when something does occur with this project or with any utility. We have a great working relationship with all of the companies who have a franchise agreement with the City, and we contact them to address the concerns. They all realize that this can happen, but they take care of it as well.
Let’s go back to City ROW’s. As mentioned above the adjacent property owner takes care of this area. Yes, you can have your lawn sprinkler system in the right-of-way and also trees. Trees are never an issue until they die, and they have to be removed. Of course, that is sometimes not always inexpensive. State Statute is clear in the ownership of these trees in that they belong to the adjacent property owner. Of course, when the tree is ever damaged, the adjacent property owner is compensated.
When calls are made to the City office, we attempt to take head you in the right direction and assist when we can. In the case of the current utility project , we know there will be concerns in this large project that is however bringing a great asset to all of us. We try to assist when we can.