HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 880 Right-of-Way Ordinance
ORDINANCE 880
RIGHT-OF-WAY ORDINANCE
City of Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota
An ordinance to enact a new Section of the Maplewood Code of Ordinances to administer and regulate the public
rights-of-way (generally hereinafter called ROW) in the public interest, and to provide for the issuance and
regulation of ROW permits.
THE COUNCIL OF MAPLEWOOD ORDAINS:
Article I. In General, Section 32-4through Section 32-27, City of Maplewood, County of Ramsey, Minnesota,
“Right-of-Way Ordinance” is herewith adopted into city code. Any and all previously adopted sections or articles
which may appear contrary or in conflict with this ordinance are hereby replaced or modified by this code.
SEC. 32-4. FINDINGS, PURPOSE AND INTENT.
The City of Maplewood holds the ROW within its geographical boundaries as an asset in trust for its citizens. The
City and other public entities have invested millions of dollars in public funds to build and maintain the ROW. It also
recognizes that some persons, by placing their equipment in the ROW and charging the citizens of the City for
goods and services delivered thereby, are using this property held for the public good. Although such services are
often necessary or convenient for the citizens, such persons receive revenue and/or profit through their use of
public property. Although the installation of such service delivery facilities are in most cases necessary and proper
use of the ROW, the City must regulate and manage such uses.
To provide for the health, safety and well-being of its citizens and to ensure the structural integrity of its streets and
the appropriate use of ROW, the City strives to keep its ROW in a state of good repair and free from unnecessary
encumbrances. Although the general population bears the financial burden for the upkeep of the ROW, one of the
causes for the early and excessive deterioration of its ROW is frequent excavation or other intrusions into its sub-
surface area.
This Article imposes reasonable fees and regulations on the placement and maintenance of equipment currently
within its ROW or to be placed therein at some future time. It is intended to complement the regulatory roles of
state, federal and other agencies. Under this Article, persons disturbing and obstructing the ROW will bear a fair
share of the financial responsibility for its integrity. This Article also provides for recovery of the City's costs
associated with managing its ROW.
SEC. 32-5. The provisions and requirements of this ordinance shall not apply to inter-governmental entities that
have Joint Powers Agreements with the City or other ROW users exempted by the statutes of the state of
Minnesota.
SEC. 32-6. DEFINITIONS.
The following words, terms and phrases, as used herein, have the following meanings:
Abandoned Facility - (1) a facility no longer in service and physically disconnected from a portion of the operating
facility, or from any other facility, that is in use or still carries service; or (2) a facility that is deemed abandoned by
the ROW user.
Applicant - Any person or entity requesting permission to excavate or obstruct a ROW.
City - means the corporate municipality, its elected officials, its manager and/or appointed employees to include the
Director of Public Works or his/her designee, City of Maplewood, Minnesota.
City Management Costs - the actual costs incurred by the City for public ROW management; including, but not
limited to, costs associated with registering applicants seeking permission to excavate or obstruct a ROW; issuing,
processing and verifying ROW permit applications; inspecting job sites and restoration projects; maintaining,
supporting, protecting or moving user equipment during public ROW work; determining the adequacy of ROW
restoration; restoring work inadequately performed after providing notice and opportunity to correct the work;
mapping of "as built" locations of facilities located in ROW; and revoking ROW permits and performing all other
functions required by this Article, including other costs the City may incur in managing the provisions of this Article.
Degradation - means a decrease in the useful life of the ROW caused by excavation in or disturbance of the
ROW, resulting in the need to reconstruct such ROW earlier than would be required if the excavation or disturbance
did not occur. This condition is only applicable in ROW’s that are not included in the current 5-year street
replacement plan scheduled for full removal and reconstruction.
Degradation Cost - subject to Minnesota Rules 7819.1100 means the cost to achieve a level of restoration, as
determined by the city at the time the permit is issued, not to exceed the maximum restoration shown on
Maplewood plates 1 to 13, and set forth in Minnesota Rules parts 7819.9900 to 7819.9950.
Degradation Fee - Means the estimated fee established at the time of permitting by the city to recover costs
associated with the decrease in the useful life of the ROW caused by the excavation, and which equals the
degradation cost. This fee does not include the cost of patching, which is the sole responsibility of the ROW user.
Delay Penalty - In accordance with Minnesota Rule 7819.1000 subd. 3, the director shall impose a delay penalty
for unreasonable delays in ROW excavation, obstruction, patching, or restoration by permittee. The delay penalty
shall be proposed by the director and established from time to time by city council resolution.
Director - the City's Director of Public Works or his/her designee.
Emergency - a condition that (1) poses a clear and immediate danger to life or health, or of a significant loss of
property; or (2) requires immediate repair or replacement in order to restore service to a customer.
Emergency Hole - excavation of a hole necessitated by a condition creating a clear and immediate threat to life,
health, safety or property or requiring immediate repair or replacement in order to restore service to a customer.
Engineer - the City’s Director of Public Works or his/her designee.
Equipment - any tangible asset used to install, repair or maintain facilities in any ROW.
Excavate - to dig into or in any way remove or physically disturb or penetrate any part of a ROW.
Excavation Permit - a permit which must be obtained before a person may excavate in a ROW. An excavation
permit allows the holder to excavate only in that part of the ROW described in the permit.
Facility or Facilities - any tangible asset in the ROW required to provide utility service. The term does not include
facilities to the extent the location and relocation of such facilities are preempted by Minnesota Statute 161.45,
governing utility facility placement in state trunk highways.
Franchise - any person or entity with tangible assets or equipment in the ROW for the purpose of providing utility
service to the general public having been previously approved by the city by written agreement, contract or by
franchise ordinance.
Hole - an excavation having a length on the long side that is less than 2 times the dimension of the width of the
excavation and that conforms to O.S.H.A. standards.
Obstruct - to place any tangible object in a public ROW so as to hinder free and open passage over that or any
part of the ROW for an aggregate period of five (5) hours or more in conjunction with the issuance of a ROW
permit.
Obstruction Permit - a permit which must be obtained before a person may obstruct a ROW, allowing the holder
to hinder free and open passage over the specified portion of that ROW by placing equipment described therein on
the ROW for the duration specified in the permit.
Patch or Patching - a method of pavement replacement that is considered temporary in nature. A patch consists
of (1) the compaction of the sub base and aggregate base, and (2) the replacement in kind, to match the existing
pavement per Maplewood Plates 1-13. A patch shall be considered “full restoration” only if the pavement is
included in the City's five year project plan.
Pavement Repair Plates - Drawings and details for the reconstruction and repair of Maplewood ROW pavements
(all types) that are herewith copied and adopted from the original thirteen (13) plates as suggested and provided by
the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and any supplemental additions as provided by the City of Maplewood.
Permit Holder - any person to whom a permit to excavate, obstruct, or place equipment or facilities in a ROW has
been granted by the City under this Article.
Person - a private individual or authorized representative or agent of an entity subject to all laws and rules of this
state, however organized, whether public or private, whether domestic or foreign, whether for profit or nonprofit,
and whether natural, corporate, or political.
Registrant - any person or entity that digs, excavates, intrudes or has or seeks to have its facilities or equipment
located in any ROW for temporary or permanent placement.
Restoration or “Full Restoration” - the process by which the ROW and surrounding area, including pavement,
foundation, and turf areas is returned to the same or better condition and life expectancy that existed immediately
before excavation.
Restoration Cost - the amount of money paid to the City by a permit holder to have the city or its designated
contractor perform the work to achieve the required level of restoration according to Maplewood plates 1 to 13,
which are attached hereto and incorporated herein.
ROW - (Right-of-Way) - the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, cart way, bicycle lane, and
public sidewalk in which the City has an interest, including other dedicated ROW for travel purposes and/or utility
easements of the City.
ROW Engineer - that person or persons appointed, directed and empowered by the Director of Public Works to
administrate the management of the Office of the Right-of-Way Engineer and those necessary responsibilities
empowered by the City ROW Ordinance.
ROW Permit - either an excavation permit or obstruction permit, or both, depending on the context required by this
Article.
ROW User - (1) a telecommunications ROW user as defined by Minnesota Statutes, Section 237.162, subdivision
4; or (2) a person owning or controlling a facility in the public ROW that is used or is intended to be used for
providing utility service and who has a right under the law, franchise, or ordinance to use the public ROW.
Trench - an excavation having a length that is in excess of two (2) times the width of the excavation for the
sections of roadway where the work is occurring, including a directional bore.
Utility or Utility Service - means services provided by: (1) a public utility as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.02; (2) services of a telecommunications ROW user, including the transporting of voice or data information;
(3) services provided by a cable communications system as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 238;
(4) natural gas or electric energy or telecommunications services provided by a local government unit; (5) services
provided by a cooperative electric association organized under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 308A; and (6) water,
sewer, steam, cooling, heating services, community television antenna system, fire and alarm communications,
storm sewer, light, or power services including wind generation.
Wireless Telecommunication Facility - a tangible asset used to provide wireless telecommunication or data
services, including all antennas, support devices, equipment including ground equipment, associated cables, and
attachments.
SEC. 32-7. REGISTRATION.
(a) Registration Required Prior to Work. No one shall construct, install, repair, remove, relocate or perform
any work within any ROW without first being registered pursuant to this Section. Such registration shall be
made on an application form provided by the City's Department of Public Works and shall be accompanied
by the registration fee set forth in this Code. Registration and the accompanying fee shall be required each
calendar year. A franchised service or utility service operating under this section shall be registered
pursuant to this Section but need not annually provide registration information as required by subsection (c)
of this Section if such information has been submitted pursuant to a franchise agreement or ordinance.
Further, a franchised service or utility service operating pursuant to a franchise agreement or ordinance shall
be exempt from payment of an annual registration fee providing said franchise fee has been paid per written
agreement or ordinance. Exceptions to the registration requirements, as described in section 32-7, shall be
determined at the discretion of the ROW Engineer.
(b) Exceptions. The following are not subject to the requirements of this Section:
(1) Person or Persons planting or maintaining pre-approved boulevard surface plantings or gardens.
(2) Person or Persons installing mail boxes or private sidewalk from street or curb to dwelling or
commercial structure.
(3) Person or Persons engaged in commercial or private snow removal activities.
(4) Person or Persons installing street furnishings.
(5) Person or Persons installing irrigation systems.
(6) City of Little Canada*
(7) City of Maplewood
(8) City of North Saint Paul*
(9) City of Oakdale*
(10) City of Saint Paul*
(11) City of Woodbury*
(12) Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul*
(13) Persons acting as agents, contractors or subcontractors for a registrant who has properly registered in
accordance with this Section.
* See Appendix I
(c) Registration Information. The registrant shall provide the following at the time of registration and shall
promptly notify the City of changes in such information:
(1) Registrant's name, address, telephone number, facsimile number and Gopher One Call registration
certificate number if required by state law.
(2) Name, address, telephone number and facsimile number of the person responsible for fulfilling the
obligations of the registrant.
(3) Unless exempted by previous or existing agreements or ordinance, a current Certificate of Insurance
from a company licensed to do business in the State of Minnesota providing minimum coverage in the
following amounts:
GENERAL LIABILITY:
Public Liability, including premises, products and complete operations
Bodily Injury Liability - $1,000,000 each person, $3,000,000 each occurrence
Property Damage Liability - $3,000,000 each occurrence
In lieu of (1) and (2) Bodily Injury and Property Damage Combined - $3,000,000 single limit
COMPREHENSIVE:
Automobile Liability Insurance, including owned, non-owned and hired vehicles.
Bodily Injury Liability - $1,000,000 each person, $3,000,000 each occurrence
Property Damage Liability - $3,000,000 each occurrence
In lieu of (1) and (2) Bodily Injury and Property Damage Combined - $3,000,000 single limit
Such certificate shall verify that the registrant is insured against claims for personal injury, including
death, as well as claims for property damage arising out of the (i) use and occupancy of the ROW by
the registrant, its officers, agents, employees and permit holders, and (ii) placement and use of
equipment or facilities in the ROW by the registrant, its officers, agents, employees and permit
holders, including but not limited to, protection against liability arising from completed operations,
damage of underground equipment and collapse of property. Such certificate shall also name the City
as an additional insured as to whom the coverage required herein are in force and applicable and for
whom defense will be provided as to all such coverage. Such certificate shall require that the City be
notified thirty (30) days prior to cancellation of the policy.
(4) A 24 hour emergency number.
(5) An acknowledgment by the registrant of the indemnification pursuant to this Code.
(6) Such additional information as the City may require.
SEC. 32-8. FRANCHISE REPORTING OBLIGATIONS.
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Each franchise registrant shall, at the time of registration and not later than November 1 of the preceding year, file
a proposed construction and major maintenance plan for underground facilities with the City. Such plan shall be
submitted using a format designated by the City and shall contain the information determined by the City to be
necessary to facilitate construction coordination and reduction in the frequency of excavations and obstructions of
ROW.
The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(a) To the extent known, the locations and the estimated beginning and ending dates of all projects to
be commenced during the next calendar year; and
(b) To the extent known, the tentative locations and estimated beginning and ending dates for all
projects contemplated for the five years following the next calendar year.
The City will have available for inspection in the Engineer's office a composite list of all known or planned projects
that have been adopted for the next calendar year. All registrants are responsible for keeping themselves informed
of the current status of this improvement list. Each franchise registrant must notify the City immediately of any
change in its list of planned projects.
SEC. 32-9. PERMIT REQUIREMENT.
(a) Permit Required.
No person may obstruct or excavate any ROW without first having been issued the appropriate ROW permit
pursuant to this Section, except as otherwise provided in this Code. Exceptions to the permitting
requirements, as described in section 32-9, shall be made at the discretion of the ROW Engineer.
(1) Excavation Permit. An excavation permit is required by the registrant to excavate that part of the
ROW described in each permit that may hinder free and open passage over the specified portion of
the ROW when placing or repairing facilities therein, to the extent and for the duration specified in the
permit.
(2) Obstruction/Aerial/Interduct Permit. An obstruction/aerial/interduct permit is required by a registrant
if the work proposed may hinder free and open passage over the specified portion of ROW by placing
or repairing equipment described therein within the ROW, to the extent and for the duration specified
in the permit. An obstruction/aerial/interduct permit is not required if a registrant has been issued a
valid excavation permit for the same project.
(3) Pole Attachment Permit. A pole attachment permit is required by the registrant in order to attach a
wireless telecommunication facility to an existing public utility structure in the public ROW. A pole
attachment permit is not required if a registrant has been issued a valid excavation permit for the same
project.
(b) Permit Extension. No person may excavate or obstruct the ROW beyond the date or dates specified in the
permit or do any work outside the area specified in the permit unless such person makes a supplementary
application before the expiration of the permit. Payment of all fees for an extension of the permit is required
before extension may be granted by the City;
If the work could not be completed because of circumstances beyond the control of the permit holder or the
work was delayed or prohibited by unseasonable or unreasonable conditions, the City may grant and extend
the completion date of the work.
(c) Delay Penalty. Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this Section, the City may impose a delay penalty where
excavating or obstruction work in the ROW is not completed within the time specified if no permit extension
application has been made prior to the expiration date of the permit. A delay penalty will not be imposed if
the delay is due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, including without limitation inclement
weather, acts of God, or civil strife.
(d) Application and Fee. An application for a ROW permit shall be made on forms provided by the City and
shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in this Code established to reimburse the City for costs. A person
who pays a franchise fee to the City in accordance with a franchise agreement shall be exempt from the
payment of permit fees. If the work is to be performed by an agent, contractor, or subcontractor on behalf of
the registrant, such application shall be signed by the registrant. The application shall also be accompanied
by the following:
(1) Scaled drawings showing the location of all known existing facilities and improvements proposed by
the applicant. The applicant will be requested to submit in English measurement two (2) paper copies
at 1” = 50’ scale plans at the smallest and/or one (1) copy in Auto CAD format (Ramsey County
Coordinate system) with X, Y, Z dimensions to 1 foot accuracy electronic plan. All plans must be
dimensional and show existing utilities, curb and gutter, sidewalks, bikeways, signal poles, driveways,
boxes, relevant structures, property lines and corners and property addresses.
(2) A description of the methods that will be used for installation.
(3) A proposed schedule for all work.
(4) The location of any public streets, sidewalks or alleys that will be temporarily closed to traffic during
the work and proposed detour route with appropriate signage.
(5) A description of methods for restoring any public improvements disrupted by the work.
(6) Any other information reasonably required by the City.
(e) Security. A performance bond and cash deposit in an amount determined by the City shall be required from
each applicant. The applicant, at its option, may post security sufficient to cover all projects contemplated for
the current calendar year. The performance bond must be approved by the City Attorney. Security required
pursuant to this Subsection shall be conditioned that the holder will perform the work in accordance with this
Article and applicable regulations and will pay to the City any costs incurred by the City in performing work
pursuant to this Article. Said conditions will indemnify and save the City and its officers, agents and
employees harmless against any and all claims, judgment or other costs arising from any excavation and
related work covered by the ROW permit. And to include further indemnification by reason of any accident or
injury to persons or property through the fault of the permit holder, either for improperly fencing and guarding
the excavation or for any other injury resulting from the negligence or willful actions of the permit holder. The
bond or any unused portions of a cash deposit shall be released by the City upon completion of the work and
compliance with all conditions imposed by the ROW permit. For permits allowing excavations within public
streets, such bond or unused part of a cash deposit shall be held for a period of twenty-four (24) months to
guaranty adequacy of all restoration work.
(f) Permit Issuances; Conditions. The City shall grant a ROW permit upon finding the work will comply with
the requirements of this Article. The City may impose reasonable conditions upon the issuance of the permit
and the performance of the applicant there under to protect the public health, safety and welfare, to insure
the structural integrity of the ROW, to insure completion of restoration of the ROW within a specified period,
to protect the property and safety of other users of the ROW and to minimize the disruption and
inconvenience to the traveling public. If it is determined by the Office of the ROW Engineer that the
proposed ROW intrusion or use is not in the best interest of the city and no agreement or alternative
compromise solution is feasible, the applicant may appeal the Engineers decision to the Director of Public
Works. Should the issue there remain un-resolved, the applicant may then request to address the case
before the Maplewood City Council for final disposition.
If the applicant’s ROW permit application is terminated at any given level, the city may at its discretion, elect
to grant a partial refund of fees that may have been paid but shall not disburse any part of the basic
Registration Fee or more than 50% of the Administrative Fees.
No ROW permit shall be issued to any person who has failed to register pursuant to this code.
(g) Dumpsters/Portable-on-Demand-Storage (POD) Units. The placement of dumpsters or POD units in the
street portion of the ROW is not allowed. Dumpsters or POD units may be placed within the boulevard or
driveway portions of the ROW provided that they do not obstruct pedestrian traffic along sidewalks or trails
and the boulevard is restored to previous conditions. In extraordinary circumstances, the City Right of Way
Engineer may make exceptions to this provision and applicant shall be subject to the permitting and fee
requirements of this ordinance.
(h) Exceptions. No permit shall be required for the following:
(1) Approved surface landscaping work.
(2) Approved private sidewalks, street furnishings, posts and pillars.
(3) Snow removal activities.
(4) Irrigation systems provided that the system does not connect directly to water mains in the ROW
installed at the property owner risk.
(5) Activities of the City of Maplewood.
(6) If granted approval by the city, piercing or drilling a street or sidewalk/trail pavement for the purpose of
exploratory examination or utility depth determination.
SEC. 32-10. TIMELINESS OF WORK.
The work to be done under the ROW permit and the patching and restoration of the ROW as required herein, must
be completed within the dates specified in the permit. It may be increased by as many days as work could not be
done because of circumstances beyond the control of the permit holder or when work was prohibited as
unseasonable or unreasonable.
SEC. 32-11. STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR INSTALLATION.
(a) General Standards. The permit holder shall comply with the following standards, to the extent consistent
with applicable Minnesota rules, when performing the work authorized under the permit:
(1) Take such precautions as are necessary to avoid creating unsanitary or unsafe conditions. Observe
and comply with all laws, rules and regulations of the State and local governments.
(2) Conduct the operations and perform the work in a manner as to insure the least obstruction to and
interference with traffic.
(3) Take adequate precautions to insure the safety of the general public and those who require access to
abutting property.
(4) Notify adjoining property owners prior to commencement of work which may disrupt the use of and
access to such adjoining properties.
(5) Comply with the Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices at all times during construction
or installation.
(6) Exercise precaution at all times for the protection of persons, including employees and property.
(7) Protect and identify excavations and work operations with barricade flags and if required, by flagmen
in the daytime and by warning lights at night.
(8) Provide proper trench protection as required by O.S.H.A..
(9) Protect the root growth of trees and shrubbery.
(10) Where possible, provide for space in the installation area for other telecommunication ROW users and
companies which install facilities in public ROW.
(11) Maintain maximum access to all properties and cross streets as possible during construction
operations and maintain emergency vehicle access at all times.
(12) Maintain planned alignment and grade unless otherwise authorized by the City. Field changes not
approved by the City will require removal and reconstruction.
(13) During trenching of facilities, a warning tape must be placed at a depth of twelve (12) inches above all
copper cables with over two hundred (200) pairs and above any fiber facilities.
(14) Beneath concrete or bituminous paved road surfaces, directional bore facilities shall be installed in
conduit of a type approved by the city.
(15) The placing of all telecommunications facilities must comply with the National Electric Safety Code, as
incorporated by reference in Minn. Stat. Sec. 326.243.
(16) Locate all property lines near ROW lines and replace any disturbed property corner markers or judicial
monuments. A Minnesota licensed surveyor must be used in the replacement of disturbed property
corners markers or judicial monuments.
(17) Excavations, trenches and jacking pits off the roadway or adjacent to the roadway or curbing shall be
sheathed and braced depending upon location and soil stability and as directed by the City.
(18) Excavating, trenches and jacking pits shall be protected when unattended to prevent entrance of
surface drainage.
(19) All backfilling materials must be placed in 6 inch lifts (maximum) at optimum moisture and compacted
with the objective of attaining ninety-five percent (95%) of Standard Proctor Density. Compaction shall
be accomplished with hand, pneumatic or vibrating compactors as appropriate.
(20) Backfill material shall be subject to the approval of the City. The City may permit backfilling with the
material from the excavation provided such material is granular in nature and acceptable to the City.
(21) Compacted backfill shall be brought to bottom of the gravel of the approved street section.
(22) All work performed in the ROW shall be done in conformance with Maplewood Plates 1 to 13, unless a
less stringent standard is approved by the City.
(23) Street and pedestrian traffic shall be maintained throughout construction unless provided otherwise by
the permit.
(24) No road surface damaging lugs, cleats or equipment may be used or driven upon paved city street
surfaces.
(25) Dirt, trash or other debris must be periodically removed during construction
(26) Other reasonable standards and requirements of the City.
(b) Standards for Installation of Underground Utilities. The permit holder shall comply with the following
standards when installing facilities underground:
(1) Underground facilities must be placed as far off the roadway as possible to provide access from
outside of the paved area.
(2) Buried fiber facilities shall be at a minimum depth of three (3) feet and a maximum depth of four (4)
feet unless an alternate location is approved by the City. Buried copper facilities beneath concrete or
bituminous paved road surfaces must be placed at no less than three (3) feet but no more than four (4)
feet deep. Other buried copper facilities must be placed at a minimum depth of thirty (30) inches and
a maximum depth of four (4) feet.
(3) Crossing of streets and hard surfaced driveways shall be directional bored unless otherwise approved
by the City.
(4) If construction is open cut, the permit holder must install the visual tracers approximately twelve (12)
inches above buried facilities. If other construction methods are used, substitute location methods will
be considered.
(5) The permit holder shall register with Gopher State One Call and comply with the requirements of that
system.
(6) Compaction in trench backfill material shall be ninety-five percent (95%) of the standard proctor
density and copies of test results shall be submitted to the City. All tests and their locations shall be
determined by the City. Tests must be conducted by an independent testing firm approved by the
City. Street pavement replacement will not be permitted until sub-base densities are approved by the
city. Testing shall be required at the discretion of the ROW engineer.
Street Pavement structure and materials shall be as specified by the city and re-paved in accordance
with Maplewood plates 1-13. All pavement replacement shall be done in the presence of a City
inspector with certified pavement material to City specifications.
(7) The facilities shall be located so as to avoid traffic signals and signs which are generally placed a
minimum of five (5) feet behind the curb.
(8) When utilizing trenchless installation methods to cross an area in which a municipal utility is located,
and/or when directed by the City, the permit holder shall excavate an observation hole over the utility
to ensure that the City utility is not damaged. Observation holes shall not be backfilled until viewed
and approved by the city ROW Inspector.
(9) All junction boxes or access points shall be located no closer than ten (10) feet from municipal fire
hydrants, valves, manholes, lift stations or catch basins unless an alternate location is approved by the
City.
(10) Underground facilities shall not be installed between a hydrant and an auxiliary valve.
(11) Underground facilities shall not be installed within five (5) feet of hydrants, valves, lift stations or
manholes in areas where utility easements exist beyond the ROW. In those areas in which no utility
easement exists, placement of an underground facility shall be between the edge of pavement and no
closer than three (3) feet to an existing municipal utility appurtenance unless approved by the City.
(12) In areas where an extensive effort to determine the location of municipal utility lines will be required to
accommodate the installation of private facilities, the City's representative for Gopher State One Call
must be contacted by the permit holder two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the work to schedule
meetings.
(13) Buried telecommunication facilities must have a locating wire or conductive shield, except for di-
electric cables.
(14) Buried fiber facilities must be placed in a conduit of a type determined by the ROW user unless the
permit holder obtains a waiver from the City.
(15) The standards set forth in the Standards of Installation of Water Mains required by the Board of Water
Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul.
(c) Standards for Installation of Overhead Facilities. The permit holder shall comply with the following
standards when installing facilities overhead:
(1) All wires must be in compliance with the National Electric Safety Code and at a location that does not
interfere with traffic signals, overhead signs, or street lights.
(d) Standards for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.
(1) Purpose. The City of Maplewood desires high quality wireless communication services to
accommodate the needs of residents and businesses. At the same time, the City strives to minimize
the negative impacts that wireless telecommunication facilities can have on aesthetics and public
safety. Due to the many services that must be delivered within its limited area, the City also strives to
avoid unnecessary encumbrances within the public ROW. The City allows and regulates wireless
telecommunication facilities outside of the public ROW through performance standards and height
limits. The purpose of this Section is to regulate wireless telecommunication facilities within the public
ROW in a manner that balances desire for service with aesthetic, public safety, and ROW flexibility
concerns.
Public ROW are appropriate locations for wireless telecommunication facilities that present minimal
impacts (i.e. small pole attachments that do not require new poles, do not require pole extensions, and
do not have associated ground mounted equipment). Wireless telecommunication facilities that
require greater heights than can be afforded by existing poles in the public ROW and that require
ground mounted equipment are more appropriately sited outside the public ROW in accordance with
adopted performance standards of this Code. However, the City recognizes that as wireless
technology advances, some residential areas of the City may be hard to serve with wireless
technology due to the lack of acceptable siting alternatives in the immediate vicinity. In such areas,
where no alternative non-ROW locations are available, wireless telecommunication facilities that
require pole extensions and ground equipment will be allowed in the public ROW subject to the
requirements of this Section which are meant to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(2) Wireless Telecommunication Facilities as Pole Attachments. Wireless telecommunication
facilities that comply with the following requirements may be attached to existing public utility
structures within the ROW after issuance of a pole attachment permit.
(A) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not extend above the top of the existing public
utility structure and the height of the existing public utility structure shall not be increased to
accommodate the wireless telecommunication facility.
(B) If the public utility structure must be replaced to structurally accommodate the wireless
telecommunication facility, the replacement public utility structure height shall not exceed the
existing public utility structure height and the replacement public utility structure diameter shall
not exceed the existing public utility structure diameter by more than 50 percent.
(C) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not be larger than three (3) cubic feet and shall
have no individual surface larger than four (4) square feet.
(D) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not extend outward from the existing pole or tower
or arm thereof by more than two and one half (2 1/2) feet, except that an antenna one half inch
in diameter or less may extend an additional six inches.
(E) The wireless telecommunication facility shall include no ground mounted equipment.
(F) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not interfere with public safety communications
and shall meet the requirements of this Code.
(G) Wireless telecommunication facilities in the ROW shall be removed and relocated at City
request subject to the provisions of this Article.
(H) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not block light emanating from the public utility
structure and shall not otherwise interfere with the original use of the public utility structure.
(3) Wireless Telecommunication Facilities as Pole Extensions or with Ground Mounted Equipment.
Wireless telecommunication facilities that require increased public utility structure height or that have
ground mounted equipment may be erected in the public ROW only when in compliance with the
following provisions and after issuance of a pole attachment permit or excavation permit:
(A) The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City or his/her designee that the
wireless telecommunication facility cannot be placed in a Code complying location outside the
ROW within one quarter (1/4) mile of the proposed location.
(B) The replacement public utility structure, including lightning rods and all other attachments, shall
not exceed the height of the existing public utility structure by more than fifteen (15) feet. Once
the height of a public utility structure has been increased under the provisions of this Section,
the height shall not be further increased.
(C) The replacement public utility structure diameter shall not exceed the existing public utility
structure diameter by more than fifty (50) percent.
(D) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not extend outward from the public utility structure
by more than two (2) feet.
(E) If feasible and desirable, as determined by the City, the replacement public utility structure shall
match the original and surrounding public utility structures in materials and color.
(F) The wireless telecommunication facility shall not interfere with public safety communications
and shall meet the requirements of this Code.
(G) A pole attachment or excavation permit for a wireless telecommunication facility that has ground
mounted equipment will be issued only if the Issuing Authority finds the following:
(i) the ground mounted equipment will not disrupt traffic or pedestrian circulation;
(ii) the ground mounted equipment will not create a safety hazard;
(iii) the location of the ground mounted equipment minimizes impacts on adjacent property;
and,
(iv) the ground mounted equipment will not adversely impact the health, safety, or welfare of
the community.
(H) Ground mounted equipment associated with the wireless telecommunication facility shall meet
the following performance standards:
(i) be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the edge of street or curb line;
(ii) be separated from a sidewalk by a minimum of three (3) feet;
(iii) be set back a minimum of fifty (50) feet from the nearest intersecting ROW line;
(iv) be separated from the nearest ground mounted wireless telecommunication equipment
installation on the same block face by a minimum of 330 feet unless the equipment is
placed underground;
(v) if located adjacent to residential uses, ground mounted equipment shall be limited to
three (3) feet in height above grade and twenty seven (27) cubic feet in cumulative size;
(vi) if located adjacent to non-residential uses, ground mounted equipment shall be limited to
five (5) feet in height above grade and eighty-one (81) cubic feet in cumulative size;
(vii) ground mounted equipment located outside the public ROW shall conform to the
requirements of this Code.
(viii) vegetative or other screening compatible with the surrounding area shall be provided
around the ground mounted equipment if deemed necessary by the City.
(I) Wireless telecommunication facilities in the ROW shall be removed and relocated at City
request subject to the provisions of this Article.
(4) New Poles. The construction in the ROW of a new pole to support wireless telecommunication
facilities is not allowed, except as a replacement of an existing public utility structure subject to the
requirements of this Section.
(5) Charges. In addition to the permit fees outlined in this Code, the City reserves the right to charge
telecommunication providers for their use of the public ROW to the extent that such charges are
allowed under state law. Telecommunication providers shall be responsible for payment of property
taxes attributable to their equipment in the public ROW.
SEC. 32-12. PATCHING OR FULL RESTORATION OF ROW.
The permit holder shall patch its own work. In lieu of ROW restoration, a ROW user may elect to pay a degradation
fee as determined by the City.
(a) City Restoration. If the City restores the ROW, the permit holder shall pay the costs thereof within thirty
(30) days of billing. If, during the twenty-four (24) months following such surface restoration, the pavement
settles due to the permit holder's improper backfilling and compaction, the permit holder shall pay to the City,
within thirty (30) days of billing, all costs associated with having to correct the defective work.
(b) Permit Holder Restoration. If the permit holder restores the ROW, it shall at the time of application for a
ROW permit post a performance bond or cash deposit in an amount determined by the City to be sufficient to
cover the cost of restoration and any associated erosion and sediment control measures. The performance
bond or cash deposit must be approved by the City Attorney. If, within twenty-four (24) months after
completion of restoration of the ROW, the City determines the ROW has been properly restored, the posted
security will be released.
(c) Standards. The permit holder shall perform patching and restoration according to the Maplewood standards
specified in Plates 1 to 13, which are attached hereto and incorporated herein.
(d) Guarantees. If the permit holder performs the restoration work, the permit holder shall guarantee such work
and its maintenance for twenty-four (24) months following its completion. During this twenty-four (24) month
period it shall, upon notification from the City, promptly and within 7 working days from receipt of notification,
correct all faulty restoration work to the extent necessary, using the method required by the City.
SEC. 32-13. JOINT APPLICATIONS.
(a) Joint Application. Registrants may jointly apply for permits to excavate or obstruct the ROW at the same
place and time.
(b) Shared Fees. Registrants who apply for permits for the same obstruction or excavation may share in the
payment of the obstruction or excavation permit fee. Registrants must agree among themselves as to the
portion each will pay and indicate the same on their applications.
SEC. 32-14. OTHER OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Compliance with Other Laws. The permit holder must obtain all other necessary permits, licenses and
approvals and pay all fees required. The permit holder shall comply with all requirements of local, state and
federal laws, including Minn. Stat. Secs. 216D.01-.09 ("One Call Excavation Notice System"). A permit
holder shall perform all work in conformance with all applicable codes and established rules and regulations
and is responsible for all work done in the ROW pursuant to its permit, regardless of who does the work.
(b) Prohibited Work. Except in an emergency, and with the approval of the City, no ROW excavation or
obstruction may be done when seasonally prohibited or when conditions are unreasonable for such work.
(c) Interference with ROW. A permit holder shall not so obstruct a ROW that the natural free and clear
passage of water through the gutters or other waterways shall be interfered with.
SEC. 32-15. DENIAL OF PERMIT.
The City may deny a permit based on any of the following grounds:
(a) Failure to register pursuant to requirements of this Code.
(b) The applicant is subject to revocation of a prior permit issued pursuant to this Article.
(c) The proposed schedule for work would conflict or interfere with an exhibition, celebration, festival or any
other similar event.
(d) The proposed schedule conflicts with scheduled or total or partial reconstruction of the ROW.
(e) The applicant fails to comply with the requirements of this Article or other provisions of this Code.
(f) The City determines that denial is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public or protect
the ROW and its current use.
SEC. 32-16. EMERGENCIES AND WORK DONE WITHOUT A PERMIT.
Each registrant shall immediately notify the City and all other affected parties or property owners of any event
regarding its facilities which it considers to be an emergency. The registrant may proceed to take whatever actions
are necessary to respond to the emergency. If the registrant has not been issued the required permit, the registrant
shall, within two (2) business days after the occurrence of the emergency, apply for the necessary permits, pay the
permit fees (where necessary) and fulfill the remaining requirements necessary to bring itself into compliance with
this Article for the actions it took in response to the emergency.
If the City becomes aware of an emergency regarding a registrant's facilities, the City shall attempt to contact the
local representative of each registrant affected, or potentially affected, by the emergency. The City may take
whatever action deemed necessary to respond to the emergency, the cost of which shall be borne by the registrant
whose facilities occasioned the emergency.
Except in an emergency, any person who, without first having obtained the necessary permit, obstructs or
excavates a ROW must subsequently obtain a permit and (where appropriate) as a penalty, pay twice the normal
fee for the permit and shall deposit with the City the fees determined to correct any damage to the ROW.
SEC. 32-17. INSPECTION.
(a) Site Inspection. The permit holder shall make the work site available to the City and to all others authorized
by law for inspection at all reasonable times during the execution of and upon completion of the work.
(b) Authority of City
(1) At the time of inspection, the City may order the immediate cessation of any work which poses a
serious threat to the life, health, safety or well-being of the public.
(2) The City may issue a stop work order to the permit holder for any work which does not conform to the
terms of the permit or other applicable standards, conditions or codes. The order shall state that
failure to correct the violation within a stated deadline will be cause for revocation of the permit. If the
violation is not corrected within the stated deadline, the City may revoke the permit.
SEC. 32-18. REVOCATION OF PERMITS.
(a) Substantial Breach.The City may revoke a ROW permit, without a fee refund, if there is a substantial
breach of the terms or conditions of any statute, this Code, rule or regulation, or any condition of the permit.
A substantial breach of a permit holder shall include, but not limited to, the following:
(1) The violation of any material provision of the permit.
(2) Any material misrepresentation of fact in the application for a permit.
(3) The failure to maintain the required bonds or other security and insurance.
(4) The failure to complete the work in a timely manner.
(5) The failure to correct, in a timely manner, work that does not conform to applicable standards,
conditions or codes, upon inspection and notification by the City of the faulty condition.
(6) An evasion or attempt to evade any material provision of the ROW permit, or the perpetration or
attempt to perpetrate any fraud or deceit upon the city or its citizens.
(7) The failure to comply with the terms and conditions of any applicable federal, state and local laws,
rules and regulations, including any provision of this Article.
(b) Notice of Breach. If the City determines that a permit holder has committed a substantial breach of a term
or condition of any statute, this Code, rule or regulation or any condition of the permit, the City shall make a
written demand upon the permit holder to remedy such violation within a reasonable period of time or be
subject to potential revocation of the permit. The City may impose additional or revised conditions on the
permit to mitigate or remedy the breach.
(c) Reimbursement of City Costs. If a permit is revoked, the permit holder shall reimburse the City for its
reasonable costs, including restoration costs and the costs of collection and reasonable attorney fees
incurred in connection with the revocation.
SEC. 32-19. APPEAL.
(a) Filing of Appeal. Any person aggrieved by, (i) the denial of a permit application; (ii) the denial of a
registration; (iii) the revocation of a permit, or (iv) the application of the fee schedule imposed by this Code,
may appeal to the City Council by filing a written notice of appeal with the City Clerk. Said notice must be
filed within twenty (20) days of the action causing the appeal.
(b) Notice of Hearing. The City Council shall hear the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting, unless
the time is extended by agreement of the parties. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the hearing
shall be mailed to the appellant.
(c) Hearing and Decision. The City Council shall, at the hearing, consider any evidence offered by the
appellant, the City and any other person wishing to be heard. The Council shall issue a written decision
within thirty (30) days of the completion of the hearing.
SEC. 32-20. MAPPING DATA.
(a) Information Required. Each registrant shall provide mapping as required by the City and which shall
include the following information:
(1) Location and approximate depth of registrant's mains, cables, conduits, switches and related
equipment and facilities, with the location based on:
(A) offsets from property lines, distances from the centerline of the public ROW and curb lines as
determined by the City; or
(B) Ramsey County Coordinate System; or
(C) Any other system agreed upon by the ROW user and the City;
(2) The type and size of the utility;
(3) A description showing above-ground appurtenances;
(4) A legend explaining symbols, characters, abbreviations, scale and other data shown on the map; and
(5) Any facilities to be abandoned, if applicable, in conformance with Minnesota Statutes, Section
216D.04, subdivision 3.
(b) Submittal Requirement.
(1) Within two (2) years after the effective date of this ordinance, all telecommunication ROW users shall
submit comprehensive detailed maps, if available, in accordance with Subsection (a) of this Section,
for all facilities and equipment installed, used or abandoned within the public ROW.
(2) Subsequent to providing the required comprehensive facility map, interim mapping data shall be
submitted by all registrants for all equipment and facilities which are to be installed or constructed after
the effective date of this ordinance at such time as permits are sought pursuant to this ordinance.
(c) Trade Secret Information. At the request of any registrant, information requested by the City which
qualifies as "trade secret" data under Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 13.37(b) shall be treated as trade secret
information as detailed therein.
SEC. 32-21. RELOCATION OF FACILITIES.
A ROW user shall promptly and at its own expense, with due regard for seasonal working conditions, remove and
relocate its facilities in the ROW when it is necessary to prevent interference or obstruction, but not merely for the
convenience of the City, in connection with: (1) a present or future City use of the ROW for a public project or
facility, (2) the public health or safety; or (3) the safety and convenience of travel over the ROW. The registrant
shall restore any ROW to the condition it was in prior to removal and relocation.
SEC. 32-22. DAMAGE TO OTHER FACILITIES.
When the City does work in the ROW and finds it necessary to maintain, support, or move registrants’ facilities to
protect it, the City shall notify the registrant as soon as possible. The costs associated therewith shall be billed to
the registrant and must be paid within thirty (30) days from the date of billing.
Each registrant shall be responsible for the cost of repairing any facilities in the ROW which it or its facilities
damage. Each registrant shall be responsible for the cost of repairing any damage to the facilities of another
registrant caused during the City's response to an emergency occasioned by that registrant’s facilities.
SEC. 32-23. ROW VACATION.
(a) Reservation of Right. If the City vacates a ROW which contains the equipment or facilities of a registrant or
permit holder, and if the vacation does not require the relocation of the registrant's or permit holder's
equipment or facilities, the City shall reserve, to and for itself and all registrants or permit holders having
equipment and facilities in the vacated ROW, the right to install, maintain and operate any equipment and
facilities in the vacated ROW and to enter upon such ROW at any time for the purpose of reconstruction,
inspecting, maintaining or repairing the same.
(b) Relocation of Facilities. If the vacation requires the relocation of the registrant's or permit holder's
equipment or facilities; and (i) if the vacation proceedings are initiated by the registrant or permit holder, the
registrant or permit holder must pay the relocation costs; or (ii) if the vacation proceedings are initiated by the
City, the registrant or permit holder must pay the relocation costs unless otherwise agreed to by the City and
the registrant or permit holder; or (iii) if the vacation proceedings are initiated by a person or persons other
than the registrant or permit holder, such person or persons must pay the relocation costs.
SEC. 32-24. ABANDONED AND UNUSABLE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES.
(a) Discontinued Operations. A registrant who has determined to discontinue all or a portion of its operations
in the City must provide information satisfactory to the City that the registrant’s obligations for its facilities in
the ROW under this chapter have been lawfully assumed by another registrant.
(b) Removal of Abandoned Facilities. Any registrant who has abandoned facilities in any ROW shall remove it
from that ROW to the extent such facilities interfere with another ROW repair, excavation, or construction,
unless this requirement is waived by the City.
SEC. 32-25. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY.
By registering with the City or by accepting a permit granted under this Article, a registrant or permit holder agrees
as follows:
(a) Limitation of Liability. By reason of the acceptance of a registration or the grant of a ROW permit, the City
does not assume any liability (i) for injuries to persons, damage to property or loss of service claims by
parties other than the registrant or the City, or (ii) for claims or penalties of any sort resulting from the
installation, presence, maintenance or operation of equipment or facilities by registrants or permit holders or
activities of registrants or permit holders.
(b) Indemnification. A registrant or permit holder shall indemnify, keep and hold the City, its officials,
employees and agents, free and harmless from any and all costs, liabilities, and claims for damages of any
kind arising out of the construction, presence, installation, maintenance, repair or operation of its equipment
and facilities, or out of any activity undertaken in or near a ROW, whether or not any act or omission
complaint of is authorized, allowed or prohibited by a ROW permit. The foregoing does not indemnify the
City for its own negligence except for claims arising out of or alleging the City's negligence in issuing the
permit or in failing to properly or adequately inspect or enforce compliance with a term, condition or purpose
of a permit. This section is not, as to third parties, a waiver of any defense or immunity otherwise available
to the registrant, permit holder or the City, and the registrant or permit holder, in defending any action on
behalf of the City, shall be entitled to assert in any action every defense or immunity that the City could
assert on its own behalf.
If the registrant or permit holder is required to indemnify and defend, it shall thereafter have control of the
litigation, but the registrant or permit holder may not settle the litigation without the consent of the City. Such
consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
SEC. 32-26. FRANCHISE HOLDERS.
If there is a conflict in language between the franchise of a person holding a franchise agreement with the City or
the Water Service Agreement with the City and this Article, the terms of the franchise or Water Service agreement
shall prevail.
SEC. 32-27. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Article is for any reason held invalid or
unconstitutional by any court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
thereof.
APPENDIX I
ESSENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Special conditions and provisions to regulate and control ROW intrusions by essential service providers for which
previous agreements or ordinances have been enacted and approved by the City in concurrence with the
respective service providers.
INDEX
Article Participating Municipal Provider
A. City of Little Canada
B. City of North Saint Paul
C. City of Saint Paul
D. City of Oakdale
E. City of Woodbury
F. Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul
This was passed by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota on April 9, 2007.