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TCSD Board of Directors Meeting Summary
Highlights of the September 9, 2024 Board Meeting
Approximately 40 residents attended the Board meeting to hear a presentation from PG&E staff regarding their plans to locate a permanent electric transmission tower in the TCSD parking lot. Because of the community interest in the potential impact of the tower, we are providing more information on the background of the project and discussions at the meeting than we typically provide in a summary of the Board meeting
Background
As background, in July 2023, the Board received a presentation from PG&E regarding the replacement of an existing transmission tower located on the levee behind the County Flood Control Facility on Marin Ave. PG&E indicated it cannot replace the existing tower in the same location because the Army Corp of Engineers does not allow any new towers on levees. As a result, PG&E has to find an alternative location to align with the existing power lines. PG&E proposed to place a new transmission pole (Lattice Steel Pole-LSP) in the asphalt pathway near the entry to the TCSD parking lot on Marin Ave.
In December 2023, PG&E discussed with the Board the need to construct temporary poles to relocate the transmission wires to allow PG&E to remove the existing leaning tower.
PG&E removed the leaning tower and installed a temporary transmission tower on Marin County’s Pump Station property on Marin Ave. For more background, please see the agenda packet for the 9/11/24 Board meeting.
Staff Report
The staff presentation focused on PG&E’s recent lack of communication to TCSD and the neighborhood regarding the status of the project. We indicated that on or about August 16, 2024 PG&E called staff to inform us that a letter was being mailed to the neighborhood to let them know that the CPUC has approved the location for the permanent transmission tower in the TCSD parking lot and that construction was to begin in mid-September.
In response to this information, staff stated no construction could begin in September and requested that PG&E staff attend the September 11th Board meeting to discuss the project. All throughout the process, PG&E had indicated that the appropriate time to comment on the project was when the CPUC would receive a “notice of construction” (aka “advice letter) from PG&E for the tower and that would start a notice period. PG&E stated they would inform us of when they filed the “notice of construction.” However, PG&E staff did not inform staff or the neighborhood of the notice of construction and, thus, no comments were submitted to the CPUC. Staff also noted that PG&E has somewhat broad authority within the existing easement for the transmission lines. However, working outside of the easement area in the parking lot would require a temporary encroachment permit from TCSD.
Meeting Discussion
At the meeting, PG&E staff discussed the need for a permanent tower to replace the temporary tower, outreach/communication efforts to date, and alternative locations considered/analyzed. PG&E apologized for the “miscommunication,” although it was more of a lack of communication. Staff agreed that PG&E’s outreach/communication efforts for the project was pretty good through mid-May 2024, but they missed when it mattered most. County Supervisor Moulten-Peters and the County’s Department of Public Works Director attended the meeting and provided updates on the County’s discussion with PG&E on the feasibility of a permanent tower on the County’s pump station property where the temporary tower is located. The PG&E presentation was attached to the staff report in the agenda packet.
After an approximate 2.5 hour discussion, including public comment, on the project, PG&E staff indicated it would continue its discussion with the County of Marin on the pump station property and analyze another possible location for the permanent tower. PG&E indicated it may be able to report back at the October 9th Board meeting.
Other Board Actions
The Board also took other key actions listed below, but everyone left after the PG&E discussion.
- Approved agreement with CMG Landscape Architecture for services to develop a Community Center Masterplan in an amount not to exceed $38,750 plus a reimbursable allowance of $1,250.
- Approved contribution of $25,000 toward the repair of the Palma Way Bridge Project to provide added protection to the sewer main pipeline.
- Approved agreement with SEI for a Climate Fellow in an amount not-to-exceed $81,000 for eligible services funded by the CalRecycle SB1383 Regional Grant.
- Continue emergency actions for emergency repair of sewer line damaged by falling trees (approx. location: 354 Pine Hill Road)
Read the agenda and staff reports here.
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