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Home My WebLink AboutRES2026-023 CRW Engineering - Nash Rd Electrical EasementSponsored by: Sorensen CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-023 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSALS WITH CRW ENGINEERING GROUP, INC AND ALASKA CONSTRUCTION SURVEYS, LLC FOR NASH ROAD ELECTRICAL EASEMENT ACQUISITION SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $260,000 AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS WHEREAS, the City of Seward Electric Utility operates and maintains transmission and distribution facilities along Nash Road between the Seward Highway and Sawmill Creek; and WHEREAS, portions of the existing transmission line have been in place for decades and have historically operated under prescriptive rights without formally recorded utility easements; and WHEREAS, the City is proceeding with construction improvements along Nash Road and recognizes the need to secure formal recorded electrical easements to ensure long-term system reliability, vegetation management, access for maintenance, and protection of public infrastructure; and WHEREAS, CRW Engineering Group, Inc. has submitted a proposal dated February 24, 2026, to coordinate easement evaluation, compensation analysis, preparation, and negotiation services for approximately forty-six (46) affected properties along Nash Road in an amount not to exceed $181,500; and WHEREAS, Alaska Construction Surveys, LLC has provided an estimate of $49,150 for field surveying, boundary verification, and preparation of easement maps and legal descriptions required for recording; and WHEREAS, each affected property owner will receive an individual compensation offer based on 2026 tax values and ownership verification as outlined in the CRW proposal, with compensation paid directly by the City of Seward; and WHEREAS, formalizing these easements will secure long-term access for vegetation clearing, pole replacement, transmission upgrades, emergency response, and ongoing maintenance of critical electric infrastructure serving the community; and WHEREAS, the total professional services cost for easement acquisition coordination, surveying, mapping, legal documentation, and negotiation support is not to exceed $260,000; and WHEREAS, securing these easements protects the public's investment in the electric system and aligns with best utility management practices; and WHEREAS, compensation to property owners for the purchase of individual electrical easements may be negotiated separately and paid directly by the City of Seward in accordance with approved CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-023 Page 2 of 2 valuation methodologies. The calculation for determining compensation for the easements will be 100% of the tax value (depending on whether an easement is already in place) x sq ft for an overhead electrical facility. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA: Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to enter into professional services agreements with CRW Engineering Group, Inc. and Alaska Construction Surveys, LLC for easement evaluation, survey, mapping, and acquisition services associated with the Nash Road transmission improvements. Section 2. Funding in the amount of $260,000 is hereby appropriated and transferred from the Electric Fund account 15000-0000-3710 to the Nash Road Transmission Improvement Project Fund 15351-0000-3700 to the 15351-0000-7009 contracted services account for professional services associated with easement acquisition. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA THIS 9'h DAY OF MARCH 2026. Sue McClure, Mayor AYES: Barnwell, Warner, Osenga, Calhoon, McClure NOES: None ABSENT: Crites, Draper ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: r 7' Kris Peck City Clerk City Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: March 9, 2026 To: City Council Through: Kat Sorensen, City Manager From: Taylor Crocker, Electric Department Subject: Resolution 2026-023: Authorizing the City Manager to Approve the Proposals with CRW Engineering Group, Inc and Alaska Construction Surveys, LLC for Nash Road Electrical Easement Acquisition Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $260,000 and Appropriating Funds Background and justification: The City of Seward Electric Utility owns and operates transmission infrastructure along Nash Road between the Seward Highway and Sawmill Creek. Portions of this transmission line have existed for decades; however, in the historical development of the Seward Electric System, formal recorded utility easements were never acquired for segments of this corridor. The line has operated under prescriptive rights due to its longstanding presence. As the City moves forward with construction and system improvements along Nash Road, it is both prudent and necessary to formalize recorded electrical easements across approximately forty- six (46) affected properties. While prescriptive rights may provide a legal basis for continued occupancy, they do not provide the clarity, security, or long-term protection that recorded easements offer. Acquiring formal easements will: • Secure permanent legal access for operations and maintenance • Provide clear authority for vegetation management and tree clearing • Protect the City's investment in transmission infrastructure • Reduce future legal risk and potential disputes with property owners • Align the Seward Electric Utility with standard industry practices followed by electric utilities statewide and nationally CRW Engineering Group, Inc. has submitted a proposal dated February 24, 2026, to provide easement evaluation, ownership verification, compensation analysis, document preparation, and negotiation coordination services for an amount not to exceed $181,500. Alaska Construction Surveys, LLC has provided a cost estimate of $49,150 to perform boundary verification, field survey work, and preparation of easement maps and legal descriptions. The total professional services cost is not to exceed $260,000. Under the proposed process, each property owner will receive an individual compensation offer based on 2026 tax -assessed values and confirmed ownership records. Compensation for easement acquisition will be paid directly by the City of Seward. Formalizing these easements at this stage of construction ensures the City secures long-term infrastructure rights while work is already underway in the corridor. This action represents responsible stewardship of public utility assets and strengthens the long-term reliability and defensibility of the Seward Electric transmission system. Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information This legislation is consistent with (citation listed): Comprehensive Plan: Strategic Plan: Other: Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: This legislation (✓): Creates revenue in the amount of: Creates expenditure in the amount of: Creates a savings in the amount of: Has no fiscal impact X Funds are (✓): Budgeted Line item(s): 15351-0000-7009 X $ 260,000 $ 260,000 Not budgeted Not applicable Affected Fund (✓): General Boat Harbor Motor Pool SMIC Parking Other X Electric Water Available Fund Balance/Net Position (unaudited) as of $ 12/31/25 X Yes Attorney Signature: Not applicable Comments: Wastewater Healthcare Note: amounts are unaudited 5,500,551.19 Finance Director Signature: Administration Recommendation X Adopt Resolution Other: rift RW ENGINEERING GROUP February 24, 2026 Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc 1301 E. 64th Ave Anchorage, AK 99518 Attn: Mr. Josh Henrick, Re: Nash Road Electrical Easements Engineering Services Fee Proposal Dear Josh, CRW Engineering Group Inc. (CRW) is pleased to provide this cost proposal to provide engineering services to coordinate and negotiate electrical easements along a 1-mile segment of Nash Road. Scope of Work: Easement Evaluation CRW will evaluate the existing easements on approximately 46 properties adjacent to the proposed power lines along Nash Road. We will then project a 30-foot wide offset from the proposed power lines and determine the locations and widths for proposed easements. It is assumed that the easement will be consistent across properties regardless of the length of conflict (i.e. if the easement area only crosses a small segment of the property, the proposed easement will established as if the conflict is across the entire property). Drawings will be based on surveyed ROW lines and existing power pole locations provided by Alaska Construction Surveys (ACS). CRW will prepare a map identifying proposed easement locations for presentation to the City of Seward. Once concurrence on the easement areas is provided, CRW will forward the AutoCAD drawings with the proposed easement areas to ACS who will prepare maps and easement descriptions under a separate contract with Sturgeon Electric. Easement Preparation CRW, through our subconsultant Trawver Land Services, will review and confirm ownership for each parcel based on the last deed of record or available title reports. A proposed compensation for each easement will be developed based on 2026 existing tax values and presented to the City of Seward for concurrence. Where required for specific parcels (DNR, SBA, CIRI, etc..) we will review appraisal provided by a third party to establish proposed correspondence. A sample electrical easement will be prepared and sent to the City of Seward for approval. Easements for up to 46 properties will then be prepared using the approved electrical easement language and the easement maps and descriptions prepared by ACS. These documents will be delivered to each property owner and our team will make a minimum of three attempts to contact (telephone, email, mail, meetings, etc..) each property owner to acquire the easements. If the property owner does not accept the initial offer, we will coordinate with the City of Seward who will lead negotiations with those owners. Our team will coordinate with the City and other team CRW ENGINEERING GROUP 394uArcric Boulevard, Suite 30u, Anchorage, AK99503 February 24, 2026 Nash Road Electrical Easements Engineering Services Fee Proposal members as needed to support meetings and/or negotiations. We will also advise the City of Seward on recommended counter offers or administrative settlements for the City's consideration. Assumptions & Exclusions: The following assumptions were made in preparing this fee proposal. • Property appraisals, as required, will be provided by others. • Surveying services, as required, will be provided by ACS. • Compensation to property owners for easements will be paid directly by the City of Seward. • Legal review or advice related to easement acquisition and/or other aspects of the project are not included. • No public involvement effort is anticipated by CRW. • Travel to Seward is not anticipated and, if required, may cause the proposed budget to be exceeded. Schedule: CRW is prepared to begin this work immediately following the notice to proceed. The following schedule is anticipated: • NTP: Feb 16, 2026 • Complete Easement Analysis: Early March 2026 • Easement Maps & Descriptions: March — April 2026 • Draft Easements: Mid to Late April 2026 • Easements Sent Out: Early May 2026 Basis of Compensation: All work will be performed on a Time and Materials basis. Phase Description 1 Project Management 2 Easement Evaluation Cost $9,500 $28,000 Easement Preparation $144,000 Total $181.500 Additional services can be added to the scope on a time and materials basis in accordance with the attached rate spreadsheet. We look forward to working with you on this project. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. 2 of 3 February 24, 2026 Nash Road Electrical Easements Engineering Services Fee Proposal Sincerely, CRW Engineering Group, Inc Matt Edge, PE Principal/Civil Engineer Attachments: CRW Rate Spreadsheet, CRW Standard Terms and Conditions, Trawver Land Services Proposal ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSAL AND AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED The proposed scope of services, fee, and contract conditions are acceptable to the Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc, and CRW Engineering Group, Inc. is authorized to proceed with the work. By 0(4- S 0 r-L n S "en Title C f Date 3/iliac, * Person with authority to commit the resources of Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc ATTEST. KRIS PECK CITY CLERK 3 of 3