Source: https://codebook.stcharlesil.gov/title-13-public-utilities/c1322
Timestamp: 2020-04-03 20:49:02
Document Index: 238985928

Matched Legal Cases: ['§530', '§76', '§ 545', '§192', '§ 3', 'art 305', 'art 192', '§192']

13.22 – Construction of Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-way | City of St. Charles Municipal Code Book
13.22 – Construction of Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-way
13.22.001 – Purpose and scope
13.22.002 – Definitions
13.22.003 – Annual registration required
13.22.004 – Permit required - applications and fees
13.22.005 – Action on permit applications
13.22.006 – Effect of permit
13.22.007 – Revised permit drawings
13.22.008 – Insurance
13.22.009 – Indemnification
13.22.010 – Security
13.22.011 – Permit suspension and revocation
13.22.012 – Change of ownership or owner’s identity or legal status
13.22.013 – General construction standards
13.22.014 – Traffic control
13.22.015 – Location of facilities
13.22.016 – Construction methods and materials
13.22.017 – Vegetation control
13.22.018 – Removal, relocation, or modifications of utility facilities
13.22.019 – Clean-up and restoration
13.22.020 – Maintenance and emergency maintenance
13.22.021 – Variances
13.22.022 – Penalties
13.22.023 – Enforcement
13.22.024 – Severability
Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish policies and procedures for constructing facilities on rights-of-way within the City’s jurisdiction, which will provide public benefit consistent with the preservation of the integrity, safe usage, and visual qualities of the City rights-of-way and the City as a whole.
Intent. In enacting this Chapter, the City intends to exercise its authority over the rights-of-way in the City and, in particular, the use of the public ways and property by utilities, by establishing uniform standards to address issues presented by utility facilities, including without limitation:
prevent interference with the facilities and operations of the City’s utilities and of other utilities lawfully located in rights-of-way or public property;
protect against increased stormwater run-off due to structures and materials that increase impermeable surfaces;
preserve open space, particularly the tree-lined parkways that characterize the City’s residential neighborhoods;
Facilities Subject to This Chapter. This Chapter applies to all facilities on, over, above, along, upon,
under, across, or within the rights-of-way within the jurisdiction of the City. A facility lawfully established
prior to the effective date of this Chapter may continue to be maintained, repaired and operated by the utility
as presently constructed and located, except as may be otherwise provided in any applicable franchise, license
Franchises, Licenses, or Similar Agreements. The City, in its discretion and as limited by law, may
require utilities to enter into a franchise, license or similar agreement for the privilege of locating their
facilities on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within the City rights-of-way. Utilities that are not
required by law to enter into such an agreement may request that the City enter into such an agreement. In
such an agreement, the City may provide for terms and conditions inconsistent with this Chapter.
Effect of Franchises, Licenses, or Similar Agreements.
Utilities Other Than Telecommunications Providers. In the event that a utility other than a
telecommunications provider has a franchise, license or similar agreement with the City, such franchise,
license or similar agreement shall govern and control during the term of such agreement and any lawful
renewal or extension thereof.
Telecommunications Providers. In the event of any conflict with, or inconsistency between, the
provisions of this Chapter and the provisions of any franchise, license or similar agreement between the City
and any telecommunications provider, the provisions of such franchise, license or similar agreement shall
govern and control during the term of such agreement and any lawful renewal or extension thereof.
Conflicts with Other Chapters. This Chapter supersedes all Chapters or parts of Chapters adopted
prior hereto that are in conflict herewith, to the extent of such conflict.
Conflicts with State and Federal Laws. In the event that applicable federal or State laws or
regulations conflict with the requirements of this Chapter, the utility shall comply with the requirements of
this Chapter to the maximum extent possible without violating federal or State laws or regulations.
Sound Engineering Judgment. The City shall use sound engineering judgment when administering
this Chapter and may vary the standards, conditions, and requirements expressed in this Chapter when the
City so determines. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the ability of the City to regulate its rights-ofway
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number, and words in the singular number include the plural number. Any term not defined in this Section shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 92 Ill. Adm. Code §530.30, the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/1-1-1 et seq.), the Illinois Telecommunications Municipal Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act (35 ILCS 635/1 et seq.), the Illinois Telephone Company Act (220 ILCS 65/0.01 et seq.), the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 (220 ILCS 5/21-100 et seq.) and the Illinois Highway Code, (605 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), unless the context clearly requires otherwise. In the event that a term is not defined by this Chapter or the above-cited, said term shall have its common and ordinary meaning.
“AASHTO” - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
“ANSI” - American National Standards Institute.
“Applicant” - A person applying for a permit under this Chapter.
“ASTM” - American Society for Testing and Materials.
“Backfill” - The methods or materials for replacing excavated material in a trench or pit.
“Bore” or “Boring” - To excavate an underground cylindrical cavity for the insertion of a pipe or electrical conductor.
“Cable operator” - That term as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522(5).
“Cable service” - That term as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522(6).
“Cable system” - That term as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522(7).
“Carrier Pipe” - The pipe enclosing the liquid, gas or slurry to be transported.
“Casing” - A structural protective enclosure for transmittal devices such as: carrier pipes, electrical conductors, and fiber optic devices.
“City” - The City of St. Charles.
“Clear Zone” - The total roadside border area, starting at the edge of the pavement, available for safe use by errant vehicles. This area may consist of a shoulder, a recoverable slope, a non-recoverable slope, and a clear run-out area. The desired width is dependent upon the traffic volumes and speeds, and on the roadside geometry. Distances are specified in the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.
“Coating” - Protective wrapping or mastic cover applied to buried pipe for protection against external corrosion.
“Code” - The Municipal Code of the City of St. Charles.
“Conductor” - Wire carrying electrical current.
“Conduit” - A casing or encasement for wires or cables.
“Construction” or “Construct” - The installation, repair, maintenance, placement, alteration, enlargement, demolition, modification or abandonment in place of facilities.
“Cover” - The depth of earth or backfill over buried utility pipe or conductor.
“Crossing Facility” - A facility that crosses one or more right-of-way lines of a right-of-way.
“Disrupt the Right-of-Way” - For the purposes of this Chapter, any work that obstructs the right-of-way or causes a material adverse effect on the use of the right-of-way for its intended use. Such work may include, without limitation, the following: excavating or other cutting; placement (whether temporary or permanent) of materials, equipment, devices, or structures; damage to vegetation; and compaction or loosening of the soil, and shall not include the parking of vehicles or equipment in a manner that does not materially obstruct the flow of traffic on a highway.
“Emergency” - Any immediate maintenance to the facility required for the safety of the public using or in the vicinity of the right-of-way or immediate maintenance required for the health and safety of the general public served by the utility.
“Encasement” - Provision of a protective casing.
“Equipment” - Materials, tools, implements, supplies, and/or other items used to facilitate construction of facilities.
“Excavation” - The making of a hole or cavity by removing material, or laying bare by digging.
“Extra Heavy Pipe” - Pipe meeting ASTM standards for this pipe designation.
“Facility” - All structures, devices, objects, and materials (including, but not limited to, track and rails, wires, ducts, fiber optic cable, antennas, vaults, boxes, equipment enclosures, cabinets, pedestals, poles, conduits, grates, covers, pipes, cables, and appurtenances thereto) located on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within rights-of-way under this Chapter. For purposes of this Chapter, the term “facility” shall not include any facility owned or operated by the City.
“Freestanding Facility” - A facility that is not a crossing facility or a parallel facility, such as an antenna, transformer, pump, or meter station.
“Frontage Road” - Roadway, usually parallel, providing access to land adjacent to the highway where it is precluded by control of access to a highway.
“Hazardous Materials” - Any substance or material which, due to its quantity, form, concentration, location, or other characteristics, is determined by the Director of Public Works to pose an unreasonable and imminent risk to the life, health or safety of persons or property or to the ecological balance of the environment, including, but not limited to explosives, radioactive materials, petroleum or petroleum products or gases, poisons, etiology (biological) agents, flammables, corrosives or any substance determined to be hazardous or toxic under any federal or state law, statute or regulation.
“Highway Code” - The Illinois Highway Code, 605 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq., as amended from time to time.
“Highway” - A specific type of right-of-way used for vehicular traffic including rural or urban roads or streets. “Highway” includes all highway land and improvements, including roadways, ditches and embankments, bridges, drainage structures, signs, guardrails, protective structures and appurtenances necessary or convenient for vehicle traffic.
“Holder” - A person or entity that has received authorization to offer or provide cable or video service from the ICC pursuant to the Illinois Cable and Video Competition Law, 220 ILCS 5/21-401.
“IDOT” - Illinois Department of Transportation.
“ICC” - Illinois Commerce Commission.
“Jacking” - Pushing a pipe horizontally under a roadway by mechanical means with or without boring.
“Jetting” - Pushing a pipe through the earth using water under pressure to create a cavity ahead of the pipe.
“Joint Use” - The use of pole lines, trenches or other facilities by two or more utilities.
“J.U.L.I.E.” - The Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators utility notification program.
“Major Intersection” - The intersection of two or more major arterial highways.
“Occupancy” - The presence of facilities on, over or under right-of-way.
“Parallel Facility” - A facility that is generally parallel or longitudinal to the centerline of a right-of-way.
“Parkway” - Any portion of the right-of-way not improved by street or sidewalk.
“Pavement Cut” - The removal of an area of pavement for access to facility or for the construction of a facility.
“Permittee” - That entity to which a permit has been issued pursuant to Sections 13.22.004 and 13.22.005 of this Chapter .
“Practicable” - That which is performable, feasible or possible, rather than that which is simply convenient.
“Pressure” - The internal force acting radially against the walls of a carrier pipe expressed in pounds per square inch gauge (psig).
“Petroleum Products Pipelines” - Pipelines carrying crude or refined liquid petroleum products including, but not limited to, gasoline, distillates, propane, butane, or coal-slurry.
“Prompt” - That which is done within a period of time specified by the City. If no time period is specified, the period shall be thirty (30) days.
“Public Entity” - A legal entity that constitutes or is part of the government, whether at local, state or federal level.
“Restoration” - The repair of a right-of-way, highway, roadway, or other area disrupted by the construction of a facility.
“Right-of-Way” or "Rights-of-Way"- Any street, alley, other land or waterway, dedicated or commonly used for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or other similar purposes, including utility easements, in which the City has the right and authority to authorize, regulate or permit the location of facilities other than those of the City. “Right-of-way” or "Rights-of-way" shall not include any real or personal City property that is not specifically described in the previous two sentences and shall not include City buildings, fixtures and other structures or improvements, regardless of whether they are situated in the right-of-way.
“Roadway” - That part of the highway that includes the pavement and shoulders.
“Sale of Telecommunications at Retail” - The transmitting, supplying, or furnishing of telecommunications and all services rendered in connection therewith for a consideration, other than between a parent corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries or between wholly owned subsidiaries, when the gross charge made by one such corporation to another such corporation is not greater than the gross charge paid to the retailer for their use or consumption and not for sale.
“Security Fund” - That amount of security required pursuant to Section 13.22.010.
“Shoulder” - A width of roadway, adjacent to the pavement, providing lateral support to the pavement edge and providing an area for emergency vehicular stops and storage of snow removed from the pavement.
“Sound Engineering Judgment” - A decision(s) consistent with generally accepted engineering principles, practices and experience.
“Telecommunications” - This term includes, but is not limited to, messages or information transmitted through use of local, toll and wide area telephone service, channel services, telegraph services, teletypewriter service, computer exchange service, private line services, mobile radio services, cellular mobile telecommunications services, stationary two-way radio, paging service and any other form of mobile or portable one-way or two-way communications, and any other transmission of messages or information by electronic or similar means, between or among points by wire, cable, fiber optics, laser, microwave, radio, satellite, or similar facilities. “Private line” means a dedicated non-traffic sensitive service for a single customer that entitles the customer to exclusive or priority use of a communications channel, or a group of such channels, from one or more specified locations to one or more other specified locations. “Telecommunications” shall not include value added services in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, content, code and protocol of the information for purposes other than transmission. “Telecommunications” shall not include purchase of telecommunications by a telecommunications service provider for use as a component part of the service provided by such provider to the ultimate retail consumer who originates or terminates the end-to-end communications. “Telecommunications” shall not include the provision of cable services through a cable system as defined in the Cable Communications Act of 1984 (47 U.S.C. Sections 521 and following), as now or hereafter amended, or cable or other programming services subject to an open video system fee payable to the City through an open video system as defined in the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission (47 C.F.R. §76.1500 and following), as now or hereafter amended.
“Telecommunications Provider” - Means any person that installs, owns, operates or controls facilities in the right-of-way used or designed to be used to transmit telecommunications in any form.
“Telecommunications Retailer” - Means and includes every person engaged in making sales of telecommunications at retail as defined herein.
“Trench” - A relatively narrow open excavation for the installation of an underground facility.
“Utility” - The individual or entity owning or operating any facility as defined in this Chapter .
“Vent” - A pipe to allow the dissipation into the atmosphere of gases or vapors from an underground casing.
“Video Service” - That term as defined in section 21-201 (v) of the Illinois Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007, 220 ILCS 21-201(v).
“Water Lines” - Pipelines carrying raw or potable water.
“Wet Boring” - Boring using water under pressure at the cutting auger to soften the earth and to provide a sluice for the excavated material.
Every utility that occupies right-of-way within the City shall register on or before January 1 of each year with the Director of Public Works, providing the utility’s name, address and regular business telephone and telecopy numbers, the name of one or more contact persons who can act on behalf of the utility in connection with emergencies involving the utility’s facilities in the right-of-way and a 24-hour telephone number for each such person, and evidence of insurance as required in Section 13.22.008 of this Chapter, in the form of a certificate of insurance.
Permit Required. No person shall construct any facility on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within any City right-of-way which (1) changes the location of the facility, (2) adds a new facility, (3) disrupts the right-of-way, or (4) materially increases the amount of area or space occupied by the facility on, over, above, along, under across or within the right-of-way, without first filing an application with the Director of Public Works and obtaining a permit from the City therefore, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter. No permit shall be required for installation and maintenance of service connections to customers’ premises where there will be no disruption of the right-of-way.
Permit Application. All applications for permits shall be filed on a form provided by the City and shall be filed in such number of duplicate copies as the City may designate. The applicant may designate those portions of its application materials that it reasonably believes contain proprietary or confidential information as “proprietary” or “confidential” by clearly marking each page of such materials accordingly.
Minimum General Application Requirements. The application shall be made by the utility or its duly authorized representative and shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
The applicant’s name and address, if different than the utility, its telephone, telecopy numbers, e-mail address, and its interest in the work;
Evidence that the utility has placed on file with the City:
A written traffic control plan demonstrating the protective measures and devices that will be employed consistent with the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, to prevent injury or damage to persons or property and to minimize disruptions to efficient pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and
An emergency contingency plan which shall specify the nature of potential emergencies, including, without limitation, construction and hazardous materials emergencies, and the intended response by the applicant. The intended response shall include notification to the City and shall promote protection of the safety and convenience of the public. Compliance with ICC regulations for emergency contingency plans constitutes compliance with this Section unless the City finds that additional information or assurances are needed;
A written site sediment/soil erosion plan demonstrating the protective measures and devices that will be employed consistent with Article 3 of the Kane County Stormwater Ordinance as revised.
Evidence of insurance as required in Section 13.22.008 of this Chapter;
Evidence of posting of the security fund as required in Section 13.22.010 of this Chapter;
Any request for a variance from one or more provisions of this Chapter (See Section 13.22.021); and
Such additional information as may be reasonably required by the City.
Supplemental Application Requirements for Specific Types of Utilities. In addition to the requirements of Subsection C. of this Section, the permit application shall include the following items, as applicable to the specific utility that is the subject of the permit application:
In the case of sewer line installations, indicate that the land and water pollution requirements of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and any other local or state entities with jurisdiction, have been satisfied;
Applicant’s Duty to Update Information. Throughout the entire permit application review period and the construction period authorized by the permit, any amendments to information contained in a permit application shall be submitted by the utility in writing to the City within thirty (30) days after the change necessitating the amendment.
Application Fees. Unless otherwise provided by franchise, license, or similar agreement, all applications for permits pursuant to this Chapter shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount specified by the Director of Public Works from time-to-time. No application fee is required to be paid by any electricity utility that is paying the municipal electricity infrastructure maintenance fee pursuant to the Electricity Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act.
City Review of Permit Applications. Completed permit applications, containing all required documentation, shall be examined by the Director of Public Works within a reasonable time after the filing thereof. If the application does not conform to the requirements of applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, the Director of Public Works shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor. If the Director of Public Works is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this Chapter and applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, the Director of Public Works shall issue a permit therefor as soon as practicable. In all instances, it shall be the duty of the applicant to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works, that the construction proposed under the application shall be in full compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
Additional City Review of Applications of Telecommunications Retailers.
Pursuant to Section 4 of the Telephone Company Act, 220 ILCS 65/4, a telecommunications retailer shall notify the City that it intends to commence work governed by this Chapter for facilities for the provision of telecommunications services. Such notice shall consist of plans, specifications, and other documentation sufficient to demonstrate the purpose and intent of the facilities, and shall be provided by the telecommunications retailer to the City not less than ten (10) days prior to the commencement of work requiring no excavation and not less than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of work requiring excavation. The Director of Public Works shall specify the portion of the right-of-way upon which the facility may be placed, used and constructed.
In the event that the Director of Public Works fails to provide such specification of location to the telecommunications retailer within either (i) ten (10) days after service of notice to the City by the telecommunications retailer in the case of work not involving excavation for new construction or (ii) twenty-five (25) days after service of notice by the telecommunications retailer in the case of work involving excavation for new construction, the telecommunications retailer may commence work without obtaining a permit under this Chapter.
Upon the provision of such specification by the City, where a permit is required for work pursuant to Section 13.22.004 of this Chapter the telecommunications retailer shall submit to the City an application for a permit and any and all plans, specifications and documentation available regarding the facility to be constructed. Such application shall be subject to the requirements of Subsection A. herein.
Additional City Review of Applications of Holders of State Authorization Under the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007. Applications by a utility that is a holder of a State-issued authorization under the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 shall be deemed granted forty-five (45) days after submission to the City, unless otherwise acted upon by the City, provided the holder has complied with all applicable City codes, ordinances, and regulations.
Authority Granted; No Property Right or Other Interest Created. A permit issued by the City authorizes a permittee to undertake only certain activities in accordance with this Chapter on City rights-of-way, and does not create a property right or grant authority to the permittee to impinge upon the rights of others who may have an interest in the rights-of-way.
Duration. No permit issued under this Chapter shall be valid for a period longer than six (6) months unless construction is actually begun within that period and is thereafter diligently pursued to completion.
Pre-construction meeting required. No construction shall begin pursuant to a permit issued under this Chapter prior to attendance by the permittee and all major contractors and subcontractors who will perform any work under the permit at a pre-construction meeting. The pre-construction meeting shall be held at a date, time and place designated by the City with such City representatives in attendance as the City deems necessary. The meeting shall be for the purpose of reviewing the work under the permit, and reviewing special considerations necessary in the areas where work will occur, including, without limitation, presence or absence of other utility facilities in the area and their locations, procedures to avoid disruption of other utilities, use of rights-of-way by the public during construction, and access and egress by adjacent property owners.
Compliance with All Laws Required. The issuance of a permit by the City does not excuse the permittee from complying with other requirements of the City and applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
In the event that the actual locations of any facilities deviate in any material respect from the locations identified in the plans, drawings and specifications submitted with the permit application, the permittee shall submit a revised set of drawings or plans to the City within ninety (90) days after the completion of the permitted work. The revised drawings or plans shall specifically identify where the locations of the actual facilities deviate from the locations approved in the permit. If any deviation from the permit also deviates from the requirements of this Chapter, it shall be treated as a request for variance in accordance with Section 13.22.021 of this Chapter. If the City denies the request for a variance, then the permittee shall either remove the facility from the right-of-way or modify the facility so that it conforms to the permit and submit revised drawings or plans therefor.
Required Coverages and Limits. Unless otherwise provided by franchise, license, or similar agreement, each utility occupying right-of-way or constructing any facility in the right-of-way shall secure and maintain the following liability insurance policies insuring the utility as named insured and naming the City, and its elected and appointed officers, officials, agents, and employees as additional insureds on the policies listed in paragraphs 1 and 2 below:
Commercial general liability insurance, including premises-operations, explosion, collapse, and underground hazard (commonly referred to as “X,” “C,” and “U” coverages) and products-completed operations coverage with limits not less than:
Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for bodily injury or death to each person;
Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for property damage resulting from any one accident; and
Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for all other types of liability.
Automobile liability for owned, non-owned and hired vehicles with a combined single limit of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for personal injury and property damage for each accident;
Worker’s compensation with statutory limits; and
Employer’s liability insurance with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per employee and per accident.
If the utility is not providing such insurance to protect the contractors and subcontractors performing the work, then such contractors and subcontractors shall comply with this Section.​
Excess or Umbrella Policies. The coverages required by this Section may be in any combination of primary, excess, and umbrella policies. Any excess or umbrella policy must provide excess coverage over underlying insurance on a following-form basis such that when any loss covered by the primary policy exceeds the limits under the primary policy, the excess or umbrella policy becomes effective to cover such loss.
Copies Required. The utility shall provide copies of any of the policies required by this Section to the City within ten (10) days following receipt of a written request therefor from the City.
Maintenance and Renewal of Required Coverages. The insurance policies required by this Section shall contain the following endorsement:
“It is hereby understood and agreed that this policy may not be canceled nor the intention not to renew be stated until thirty (30) days after receipt by the City, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of a written notice addressed to the City Administrator of such intent to cancel or not to renew.”
Within ten (10) days after receipt by the City of said notice, and in no event later than ten (10) days prior to said cancellation, the utility shall obtain and furnish to the City evidence of replacement insurance policies meeting the requirements of this Section. In the event that the utility fails to obtain or produce evidence of said replacement insurance, any permits issued pursuant to this Chapter shall, without any further notice, be null and void.
Self-Insurance. A utility may self-insure all or a portion of the insurance coverage and limit requirements required by Subsection A. herein. A utility that self-insures is not required, to the extent of such self-insurance, to comply with Subsections A, B, C, and D of this Section. A utility that elects to self-insure shall provide to the City evidence sufficient to demonstrate its financial ability to self-insure the insurance coverage and limit requirements required under Subsection A herein, such as evidence that the utility is a “private self insurer” under the Workers Compensation Act.
Effect of Insurance and Self-Insurance on Utility’s Liability. The legal liability of the utility to the City and any person for any of the matters that are the subject of the insurance policies or self-insurance required by this Section shall not be limited by such insurance policies or self-insurance or by the recovery of any amounts thereunder.
Insurance Companies. All insurance provided pursuant to this section shall be effected under valid and enforceable policies, issued by insurers legally able to conduct business in the State of Illinois. All insurance carriers and surplus line carriers shall be rated "A-" or better and of a class size "X" or higher by the A.M. Best Company.
By occupying or constructing facilities in the right-of-way, a utility shall be deemed to agree to defend, indemnify and hold the City and its elected and appointed officials and officers, employees, agents and representatives harmless from and against any and all injuries, claims, demands, judgments, damages, losses and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs of suit or defense, arising out of, resulting from or alleged to arise out of or result from the negligent, careless or wrongful acts, omissions, failures to act or misconduct of the utility or its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors in the construction of facilities or occupancy of the rights-of-way, and in providing or offering service over the facilities, whether such acts or omissions are authorized, allowed or prohibited by this Chapter or by a franchise, license, or similar agreement; provided, however, that the utility’s indemnity obligations hereunder shall not apply to any injuries, claims, demands, judgments, damages, losses or expenses arising out of or resulting from the negligence, misconduct or breach of this Chapter by the City, its elected and appointed officials and officers, employees, agents or representatives.
Purpose. The permittee shall establish a Security Fund in a form and in an amount as set forth in this Section. The Security Fund shall be continuously maintained in accordance with this Section at the permittee’s sole cost and expense until the completion of the work authorized under the permit. The Security Fund shall serve as security for:
Any expenditure, damage, or loss incurred by the City occasioned by the permittee’s failure to comply with any codes, rules, regulations, orders, permits and other directives of the City issued pursuant to this Chapter; and
The payment by permittee of all liens and all damages, claims, costs, or expenses that the City may pay or incur by reason of any action or non-performance by permittee in violation of this Chapter including, without limitation, any damage to public property or restoration work the permittee is required to perform pursuant to this Chapter and that the City must perform itself or have completed as a consequence solely of the permittee’s failure to perform or complete, and all other payments due the City from the permittee pursuant to this Chapter or any other applicable law, franchise, license or agreement.
Form. The permittee shall provide the Security Fund to the City in the form, at the permittee’s election, of cash, a surety bond in a form acceptable to the City, or an unconditional letter of credit in a form acceptable to the City. Any surety bond or letter of credit provided pursuant to this Subsection shall, at a minimum:
Provide for the notification to the City at least sixty (60) days prior to expiration; and
Not require the consent of the permittee prior to the collection by the City of any amounts covered by it; and
Shall provide a location convenient to the City and within the State of Illinois at which it can be drawn; and
Be irrevocable; and
Run solely to the benefit of the City; and
Provide that the company issuing the financial instrument shall satisfy the City’s rating criteria, as applicable:
banks (for letters of credit, bonds): Prudent Man Analysis, Inc, rating of 1, 2, or 3 (or equivalent); or
Insurance Companies (for surety bonds): A M Best Company rating of Superior (A++ and A+), Excellent (A and A-), Very Good (B++ and B+) (or equivalent),
Amount. The dollar amount of the Security Fund shall be sufficient to provide for the reasonably estimated cost plus 15% to restore the right-of-way to at least as good a condition as that existing prior to the construction under the permit, as determined by the Director of Public Works or his designee, and may also include reasonable, directly related costs that the City estimates are likely to be incurred if the permittee fails to perform such restoration. Where the construction of facilities proposed under the permit will be performed in phases in multiple locations in the City, with each phase consisting of construction of facilities in one location or a related group of locations, and where construction in another phase will not be undertaken prior to substantial completion of restoration in the previous phase or phases, the Director of Public Works may, in the exercise of sound discretion, allow the permittee to post a single amount of security which shall be applicable to each phase of the construction under the permit. The amount of the Security Fund for phased construction shall be equal to the greatest amount that would have been required under the provisions of this Subsection (C) for any single phase.
Withdrawals. The City, upon fourteen (14) days’ prior written notice clearly stating the reason for, and its intention to, exercise withdrawal rights under this Subsection, may withdraw an amount from the Security Fund, provided that the permittee has not reimbursed the City for such amount within the fourteen (14) day notice period. Withdrawals may be made if the permittee:
Fails to reimburse the City for any damages, claims, costs or expenses which the City has been compelled to pay or incur by reason of any action or non-performance by the permittee; or
Fails to comply with any provision of this Chapter that the City determines can be remedied by an expenditure of an amount in the Security Fund.
Replenishment. Within fourteen (14) days after receipt of written notice from the City that any amount has been withdrawn from the Security Fund, the permittee shall restore the Security Fund to the amount specified in Subsection C of this Section.
Interest. The permittee may request that any and all interest accrued on the amount in the Security Fund be returned to the permittee by the City, upon written request for said withdrawal to the City, provided that any such withdrawal does not reduce the Security Fund below the minimum balance required in Subsection C of this Section.
Closing and Return of Security Fund. Upon completion of the work authorized under the permit, the permittee shall be entitled to the return of the Security Fund, or such portion thereof as remains on deposit, within a reasonable time after account is taken for all offsets necessary to compensate the City for failure by the permittee to comply with any provisions of this Chapter or other applicable law. In the event of any revocation of the permit, the Security Fund, and any and all accrued interest therein, shall become the property of the City to the extent necessary to cover any reasonable costs, loss or damage incurred by the City as a result of said revocation, provided that any amounts in excess of said costs, loss or damage shall be refunded to the permittee.
Rights Not Limited. The rights reserved to the City with respect to the Security Fund are in addition to all other rights of the City, whether reserved by this Chapter or otherwise authorized by law, and no action, proceeding or exercise of right with respect to said Security Fund shall affect any other right the City may have. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City shall not be entitled to a double monetary recovery with respect to any of its rights which may be infringed or otherwise violated.
City Right to Revoke Permit. The City may revoke or suspend a permit issued pursuant to this Chapter for one or more of the following reasons:
Non-compliance with this Chapter;
Permittee’s failure to construct the facilities substantially in accordance with the permit and approved plans.
Notice of Revocation or Suspension. The City shall send written notice of its intent to revoke or suspend a permit issued pursuant to this Chapter stating the reason or reasons for the revocation or suspension and the alternatives available to permittee under this Section 13.22.011.
Permittee Alternatives Upon Receipt of Notice of Revocation or Suspension. Upon receipt of a written notice of revocation or suspension from the City, the permittee shall have the following options:
Immediately provide the City with evidence that no cause exists for the revocation or suspension;
Immediately correct, to the satisfaction of the City, the deficiencies stated in the written notice, providing written proof of such correction to the City within five (5) working days after receipt of the written notice of revocation; or
Immediately remove the facilities located on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within the rights-of-way and restore the rights-of-way to the satisfaction of the City providing written proof of such removal to the City within ten (10) days after receipt of the written notice of revocation.
The City may, in its discretion, for good cause shown, extend the time periods provided in this Subsection.
Stop Work Order. In addition to the issuance of a notice of revocation or suspension, the City may issue a stop work order immediately upon discovery of any of the reasons for revocation set forth within Subsection A herein.
Failure or Refusal of the Permittee to Comply. If the permittee fails to comply with the provisions of Subsection C herein, the City or its designee may, at the option of the City: (1) correct the deficiencies; (2) upon not less than twenty (20) days notice to the permittee, remove the subject facilities or equipment; or (3) after not less than thirty (30) days notice to the permittee of failure to cure the non-compliance, deem them abandoned and property of the City. The permittee shall be liable in all events to the City for all costs of removal.
Notification of Change. A utility shall notify the City no less than thirty (30) days prior to the transfer of ownership of any facility in the right-of-way or change in identity of the utility. The new owner of the utility or the facility shall have all the obligations and privileges enjoyed by the former owner under the permit, if any, and applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, including this Chapter, with respect to the work and facilities in the right-of-way.
Amended Permit. A new owner shall request that any current permit be amended to show current ownership. If the new owner fails to have a new or amended permit issued in its name, the new owner shall be presumed to have accepted, and agreed to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the permit if the new owner uses the facility or allows it to remain on the City’s right-of-way.
Insurance and Bonding. All required insurance coverage or bonding must be changed to reflect the name of the new owner upon transfer.
Standards and Principles. All construction in the right-of-way shall be consistent with applicable ordinances, codes, laws rules and regulations, and commonly recognized and accepted traffic control and construction principles, sound engineering judgment and, where applicable, the principles and standards set forth in the following IDOT publications, as amended from time-to-time:
Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction;
Supplemental Specifications and Recurring Special Provisions;
Highway Design Manual;
Highway Standards Manual;
Standard Specifications for Traffic Control Items;
Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (92 Ill. Adm. Code § 545);
Flagger’s Handbook; and
Work Site Protection Manual for Daylight Maintenance Operations.
Interpretation of Municipal Standards and Principles. If a discrepancy exists between or among differing principles and standards required by this Chapter, the Director of Public Works shall determine, in the exercise of sound engineering judgment, which principles apply and such decision shall be final. If requested, the Director of Public Works shall state which standard or principle will apply to the construction, maintenance, or operation of a facility in the future.
Minimum Requirements. The City’s minimum requirements for traffic protection are contained in IDOT’s Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and this Code.
Warning Signs, Protective Devices, and Flaggers. The utility is responsible for providing and installing warning signs, protective devices and flaggers, when necessary, meeting applicable federal, state, and local requirements for protection of the public and the utility’s workers when performing any work on the rights-of-way.
Interference with Traffic. All work shall be phased so that there is minimum interference with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Notice When Access is Blocked. At least forty-eight (48) hours prior to beginning work that will partially or completely block access to any residence, business or institution, the utility shall notify the resident, business or institution of the approximate beginning time and duration of such work; provided, however, that in cases involving emergency repairs pursuant to Section 13.22.020 of this Chapter, the utility shall provide such notice as is practicable under the circumstances.
Compliance. The utility shall take immediate action to correct any deficiencies in traffic protection requirements that are brought to the utility’s attention by the City.
General Requirements. In addition to location requirements applicable to specific types of utility facilities, all utility facilities, regardless of type, shall be subject to the general location requirements of this subsection
No Interference with City Facilities. No utility facilities shall be placed in any location if the Director of Public Works determines that the proposed location will require the relocation or displacement of any of the City’s utility facilities or will otherwise interfere with the operation or maintenance of any of the City’s utility facilities.
Minimum Interference and Impact. The proposed location shall cause only the minimum possible interference with the use of the right-of-way and shall cause only the minimum possible impact upon, and interference with the rights and reasonable convenience of property owners who adjoin said right-of-way.
No Interference with Travel. No utility facility shall be placed in any location that interferes with the usual travel on such right-of-way.
No Limitations on Visibility. No utility facility shall be placed in any location so as to limit visibility of or by users of the right-of-way.
Size of Utility Facilities. The proposed installation shall use the smallest suitable vaults, boxes, equipment enclosures, power pedestals, and/or cabinets then in use by the facility owner, regardless of location, for the particular application.
Parallel Facilities Located Within Highways
Overhead Parallel Facilities. An overhead parallel facility may be located within the right-of-way lines of a highway only if:
Lines are located as near as practicable to the right-of-way line and as nearly parallel to the right-of-way line as reasonable pole alignment will permit;
Where pavement is curbed, poles are as remote as practicable from the curb with a minimum distance of two feet (0.6 m) behind the face of the curb, where available;
Where pavement is uncurbed, poles are as remote from pavement edge as practicable with minimum distance of four feet (1.2 m) outside the outer shoulder line of the roadway and are not within the clear zone;
No pole is located in the ditch line of a highway; and
Any ground-mounted appurtenance is located within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line or as near as possible to the right-of-way line.
Underground Parallel Facilities. An underground parallel facility may be located within the right-of-way lines of a highway only if:
The facility is located as near the right-of-way line as practicable and not more than eight (8) feet (2.4 m) from and parallel to the right-of-way line;
A new facility may be located under the paved portion of a highway only if other locations are impracticable or inconsistent with sound engineering judgment (e.g., a new cable may be installed in existing conduit without disrupting the pavement); and
In the case of an underground power or communications line, the facility shall be located as near the right-of-way line as practicable and not more than five (5) feet (1.5 m) from the right-of-way line and any above-grounded appurtenance shall be located within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line or as near as practicable.
Facilities Crossing Highways
No Future Disruption. The construction and design of crossing facilities installed between the ditch lines or curb lines of City highways may require the incorporation of materials and protections (i.e. as encasement or additional cover) to avoid settlement or future repairs to the roadbed resulting from the installation of such crossing facilities.
Cattle Passes, Culverts, or Drainage Facilities. Crossing facilities shall not be located in cattle passes, culverts, or drainage facilities.
90 Degree Crossing Required. Crossing facilities shall cross at or as near to a ninety (90) degree angle to the centerline as practicable.
Overhead Power or Communication Facility. An overhead power or communication facility may cross a highway only if:
It has a minimum vertical line clearance as required by ICC’s rules entitled, "Construction of Electric Power and Communication Lines" (83 Ill. Adm. Code 305);
Poles are located within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line of the highway and outside of the clear zone; and
Overhead crossings at major intersections are avoided.
Underground Power or Communication Facility. An underground power or communication facility may cross a highway only if:
The design materials and construction methods will provide maximum maintenance-free service life; and
Capacity for the utility’s foreseeable future expansion needs is provided in the initial installation.
Markers. The City may require the utility to provide a marker at each right-of-way line where an underground facility other than a power or communication facility crosses a highway. Each marker shall identify the type of facility, the utility, and an emergency phone number. Markers may also be eliminated as provided in current Federal regulations. (49 C.F.R. §192.707 (1989)).
Facilities to be Located Within Particular Rights-of-Way. The City may require that facilities be located within particular rights-of-way that are not highways, rather than within particular highways.
The City may restrict the location and size of any freestanding facility located within a right-of-way.
The City may require any freestanding facility located within a right-of-way to be screened from view.
Facilities Installed Above Ground. Above ground facilities may be installed only if:
The proposed installation will be made at a location, and will employ suitable design and materials, to provide the greatest protection of aesthetic qualities of the area being traversed without adversely affecting safety. Suitable designs include, but are not limited to, self-supporting armless, single-pole construction with vertical configuration of conductors and cable. Existing utility poles and light standards shall be used wherever practicable; the installation of additional utility poles is strongly discouraged.
Facility Attachments to Bridges or Roadway Structures
The type, volume, pressure or voltage of the commodity to be transmitted and an evaluation of the resulting risk to persons and property in the event of damage to, or failure of, the facility;
The type, length, value, and relative importance of the highway structure in the transportation system;
The alternative routings available to the utility and their comparative practicability;
The proposed method of attachment;
The ability of the structure to bear the increased load of the proposed facility;
The degree of interference with bridge maintenance and painting;
The effect on the visual quality of the structure; and
The public benefit expected from the utility service as compared to the risk involved.
The City may prohibit the installation of facilities in particular locations in order to preserve visual quality.
Ground- Mounted Equipment Spacing Requirements. Ground- mounted equipment, where necessary, shall be sited in locations approved by the Director of Public Works, in a manner that will most effectively minimize public impact, optimize safety, and incorporate aesthetic concerns.
(2018-M-28: § 3)
Standards and Requirements for Particular Types of Construction Methods.
Boring or Jacking.
Pits and Shoring. Boring or jacking under rights-of-way shall be accomplished from pits located at a minimum distance specified by the Director of Public Works from the edge of the pavement. Pits for boring or jacking shall be excavated no more than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of boring or jacking operations and backfilled within forty-eight (48) hours after boring or jacking operations are completed. While pits are open, they shall be clearly marked and protected by barricades. Shoring shall be designed, erected, supported, braced, and maintained so that it will safely support all vertical and lateral loads that may be imposed upon it during the boring or jacking operation.
Wet Boring or Jetting. Wet boring or jetting shall not be permitted under the roadway.
Borings with Diameters Greater Than 6 Inches. Borings over six inches (0.15 m) in diameter shall be accomplished with an auger and following pipe, and the diameter of the auger shall not exceed the outside diameter of the following pipe by more than one inch (25 mm).
Borings with Diameters 6 Inches or Less. Borings of six inches or less in diameter may be accomplished by either jacking, guided with auger, or auger and following pipe method.
Tree Preservation. Any facility located within the drip line of any tree designated by the City to be preserved or protected shall be bored under or around the root system.
Trenching. Trenching for facility installation, repair, or maintenance on rights-of-way shall be done in accordance with the applicable portions of Section 603 of IDOT’s "Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction."
Length. The length of an open trench shall be kept to the practicable minimum consistent with requirements for pipe-line testing. Only one-half of any intersection may have an open trench at any time unless special permission is obtained from the Director of Public Works.
Open Trench and Excavated Material. Open trench and windrowed excavated material shall be protected as required by Chapter 6 of the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Where practicable, the excavated material shall be deposited between the roadway and the trench as added protection. Excavated material shall not be allowed to remain on the paved portion of the roadway. Where right-of-way width does not allow for windrowing excavated material off the paved portion of the roadway, excavated material shall be hauled to an off-road location.
Drip Line of Trees. The utility shall not trench within the drip line of any tree designated by the City to be preserved.
Any pit, trench, or excavation created during the installation of facilities shall be backfilled for its full width, depth, and length using methods and materials in accordance with IDOT’s "Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction." When excavated material is hauled away or is unsuitable for backfill, suitable granular backfill shall be used.
For a period of three (3) years from the date construction of a facility is completed, the utility shall be responsible to remove and restore any backfilled area that has settled due to construction of the facility. If so ordered by the Director of Public Works, the utility, at its sole expense, shall remove any pavement and backfill material to the top of the installed facility, place and properly compact new backfill material, and restore new pavement, sidewalk, curbs, and driveways to the proper grades, as determined by the Director of Public Works.
Pavement Cuts. Pavement cuts for facility installation or repair shall be permitted on a highway only if that portion of the highway is closed to traffic. If a variance to the limitation set forth in this paragraph is permitted under Section 13.22.021, the following requirements shall apply:
Any excavation under pavements shall be backfilled and compacted as soon as practicable with granular material of CA-6 or CA-10 gradation, as designated by the Director of Public Works.
Restoration of pavement, in kind, shall be accomplished as soon as practicable and temporary repair with bituminous mixture shall be provided immediately. Any subsequent failure of either the temporary repair or the restoration shall be rebuilt upon notification by the City.
All saw cuts shall be full depth.
For all rights-of-way which have been reconstructed with a concrete surface/base in the last seven (7) years, or resurfaced in the last three (3) years, permits shall not be issued unless such work is determined to be an emergency repair or other work considered necessary and unforeseen before the time of the reconstruction or unless a pavement cut is necessary for a J.U.L.I.E. locate.
Casing pipe shall be designed to withstand the load of the highway and any other superimposed loads. The casing shall be continuous either by one-piece fabrication or by welding or jointed installation approved by the City.
The venting, if any, of any encasement shall extend within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line. No above-ground vent pipes shall be located in the area established as clear zone for that particular section of the highway.
In the case of water main or service crossing, encasement shall be furnished between bore pits unless continuous pipe or City approved jointed pipe is used under the roadway. Casing may be omitted only if pipe is installed prior to highway construction and carrier pipe is continuous or mechanical joints are of a type approved by the City. Bell and spigot type pipe shall be encased regardless of installation method.
In the case of gas pipelines of sixty (60) psig or less, encasement may be eliminated.
In the case of gas pipelines or petroleum products pipelines with installations of more than sixty (60) psig, encasement may be eliminated only if: (1) extra heavy pipe is used that precludes future maintenance or repair and (2) cathodic protection of the pipe is provided;
If encasement is eliminated for a gas or petroleum products pipeline, the facility shall be located so as to provide that construction does not disrupt the right-of-way.
Minimum Cover of Underground Facilities. Cover shall be provided and maintained at least in the amount specified in the following table for minimum cover for the type of facility:
18 to 24 Inches (0.6 m, as determined by City)
Standards and Requirements for Particular Types of Facilities.
Electric Power or Communication Lines.
Code Compliance. Electric power or communications facilities within City rights-of-way shall be constructed, operated, and maintained in conformity with the provisions of 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 305 (formerly General Order 160 of the Illinois Commerce Commission) entitled "Rules for Construction of Electric Power and Communications Lines," and the National Electrical Safety Code.
Overhead Facilities. Overhead power or communication facilities shall use single pole construction and, where practicable, joint use of poles shall be used. Utilities shall make every reasonable effort to design the installation so guys and braces will not be needed. Variances may be allowed if there is no feasible alternative and if guy wires are equipped with guy guards for maximum visibility.
Underground Facilities. (1) Cable may be installed by trenching or plowing, provided that special consideration is given to boring in order to minimize damage when crossing improved entrances and side roads. (2) If a crossing is installed by boring or jacking, encasement shall be provided between jacking or bore pits. Encasement may be eliminated only if: (a) the crossing is installed by the use of "moles," "whip augers," or other approved method which compress the earth to make the opening for cable installation or (b) the installation is by the open trench method which is only permitted prior to roadway construction. (3) Cable shall be grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code.
Burial of Drops. All temporary service drops placed between November 1 of the prior year and March 15 of the current year, also known as snowdrops, shall be buried by May 31 of the current year, weather permitting, unless otherwise expressly approved by the City. Weather permitting, utilities shall bury all temporary drops, excluding snowdrops, within ten (10) business days after placement.
Underground Facilities Other than Electric Power or Communication Lines. Underground facilities other than electric power or communication lines may be installed by:
the use of "moles," "whip augers," or other approved methods which compress the earth to move the opening for the pipe;
jacking or boring with vented encasement provided between the ditch lines or toes of slopes of the highway;
open trench with vented encasement between ultimate ditch lines or toes of slopes, but only if prior to roadway construction; or
tunneling with vented encasement, but only if installation is not possible by other means.
Gas Transmission, Distribution and Service. Gas pipelines within rights-of-way shall be constructed, maintained, and operated in a City approved manner and in conformance with the Federal Code of the Office of Pipeline Safety Operations, Department of Transportation, Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards (49 CFR §192), IDOT’s "Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction," and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Petroleum Products Pipelines. Petroleum products pipelines within rights-of-way shall conform to the applicable sections of ANSI Standard Code for Pressure Piping. (Liquid Petroleum Transportation Piping Systems ANSI-B 31.4).
Waterlines, Sanitary Sewer Lines, Storm Water Sewer Lines or Drainage Lines. Water lines, sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer lines, and drainage lines within rights-of-way shall meet or exceed the recommendations of the current "Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Main Construction in Illinois."
Ground Mounted Appurtenances. Ground mounted appurtenances to overhead or underground facilities, when permitted within a right-of-way, shall be provided with a vegetation-free area extending one foot (305 mm) in width beyond the appurtenance in all directions. The vegetation-free area may be provided by an extension of the mounting pad, or by heavy duty plastic or similar material approved by the Director of Public Works. With the approval of the Director of Public Works, shrubbery surrounding the appurtenance may be used in place of vegetation-free area. The housing for ground-mounted appurtenances shall be painted a neutral color to blend with the surroundings.
General Standards. The materials used in constructing facilities within rights-of-way shall be those meeting the accepted standards of the appropriate industry, the applicable portions of IDOT’s "Standards Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction," the requirements of the Illinois Commerce Commission, or the standards established by other official regulatory agencies for the appropriate industry.
Material Storage on Right-of-Way. No material shall be stored on the right-of-way without the prior written approval of the Director of Public Works. When such storage is permitted, all pipe, conduit, wire, poles, cross arms, or other materials shall be distributed along the right-of-way prior to and during installation in a manner to minimize hazards to the public or an obstacle to right-of-way maintenance or damage to the right-of-way and other property. If material is to be stored on right-of-way, prior approval must be obtained from the City.
Hazardous Materials. The plans submitted by the utility to the City shall identify any hazardous materials that may be involved in the construction of the new facilities or removal of any existing facilities.
Construction operations on rights-of-way may, at the discretion of the City, be required to be discontinued when such operations would create hazards to traffic or the public health, safety, and welfare. Such operations may also be required to be discontinued or restricted when conditions are such that construction would result in extensive damage to the right-of-way or other property.
Unless otherwise permitted by the City, the hours of construction are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location of Existing Facilities. Any utility proposing to construct facilities in the City shall contact J.U.L.I.E. and ascertain the presence and location of existing above-ground and underground facilities within the rights-of-way to be occupied by its proposed facilities. The City will make its permit records available to a utility for the purpose of identifying possible facilities. When notified of an excavation or when requested by the City or by J.U.L.I.E., a utility shall locate and physically mark its underground facilities within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding weekends and holidays, in accordance with the Illinois Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act (220 ILCS 50/1 et seq.)
Electric Utilities – Compliance with State Laws and Regulations. An electric utility shall conduct all tree-trimming and vegetation control activities in the right-of-way in accordance with applicable Illinois laws and regulations, and additionally, with the terms of any local franchise or other agreement as permitted by law.
Other Utilities – Tree Trimming Permit Required. Tree trimming that is done by any other utility with facilities in the right-of-way and that is not performed pursuant to applicable Illinois laws and regulations specifically governing same, shall not be considered a normal maintenance operation, but shall require the application for, and the issuance of, a permit, in addition to any other permit required by this Chapter.
Application for Tree Trimming Permit. Applications for tree trimming permits shall include assurance that the work will be accomplished by competent workers with supervision who are experienced in accepted tree pruning practices. Tree trimming permits shall designate an expiration date in the interest of assuring that the work will be expeditiously accomplished.
Damage to Trees. Poor pruning practices resulting in damaged or misshapen trees will not be tolerated and shall be grounds for cancellation of the tree trimming permit and for assessment of damages. The City will require compensation for trees extensively damaged and for trees removed without authorization. The formula developed by the International Society of Arboriculture will be used as a basis for determining the compensation for damaged trees or unauthorized removal of trees. The City may require the removal and replacement of trees if trimming or radical pruning would leave them in an unacceptable condition.
Specimen Trees or Trees of Special Significance. The City may require that special measures be taken to preserve specimen trees or trees of special significance. The required measures may consist of higher poles, side arm extensions, covered wire or other means.
Except as provided in the following paragraph, no utility shall spray, inject or pour any chemicals on or near any trees, shrubs or vegetation in the City for any purpose, including the control of growth, insects or disease.
Spraying of any type of brush-killing chemicals will not be permitted on rights-of-way unless the utility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works that such spraying is the only practicable method of vegetation control.
Notice. Within ninety (90) days following written notice from the City, a utility shall, at its own expense, protect, support, temporarily or permanently disconnect, remove, relocate, change or alter the position of any utility facilities within the rights-of-way whenever the corporate authorities have determined that such removal, relocation, change or alteration, is reasonably necessary for the construction, repair, maintenance, or installation of any City improvement in or upon, or the operations of the City in or upon, the rights-of-way.
Removal of Unauthorized Facilities. Within thirty (30) days following written notice from the City, any utility that owns, controls, or maintains any unauthorized facility or related appurtenances within the rights-of-way shall, at its own expense, remove all or any part of such facilities or appurtenances from the rights-of-way. A facility is unauthorized and subject to removal in the following circumstances:
Upon expiration or termination of the permittee’s franchise, license or other agreement, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law;
If the facility was constructed or installed without the prior grant of a license, franchise or other agreement, if required;
If the facility was constructed or installed without prior issuance of a permit in violation of this Chapter; or
If the facility was constructed or installed at a location not permitted by the permittee’s franchise, license or other agreement.
Emergency Removal or Relocation of Facilities. The City retains the right and privilege to cut or move any facilities located within the rights-of-way of the City, as the City may determine to be necessary, appropriate or useful in response to any public health or safety emergency. If circumstances permit, the municipality shall attempt to notify the utility, if known, prior to cutting or removing a facility and shall notify the utility, if known, after cutting or removing a facility.
Abandonment of Facilities. Upon abandonment of a facility within the rights-of-way of the City, the utility shall notify the City within ninety (90) days. Following receipt of such notice the City may direct the utility to remove all or any portion of the facility if the Director of Public Works determines that such removal will be in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare. In the event that the City does not direct the utility that abandoned the facility to remove it, by giving notice of abandonment to the City, the abandoning utility shall be deemed to consent to the alteration or removal of all or any portion of the facility by another utility or person.
The utility shall remove all excess material and restore all turf and terrain and other property within ten (10) days after any portion of the rights-of-way are disturbed, damaged or destroyed due to construction or maintenance by the utility, all to the satisfaction of the City. This includes restoration of entrances and side roads. Restoration of roadway surfaces shall be made using materials and methods approved by the Director of Public Works. Such cleanup and repair may be required to consist of backfilling, regarding, reseeding, resodding, or any other requirement to restore the right-of-way to a condition substantially equivalent to that which existed prior to the commencement of the project. The time period provided in this Section may be extended by the Director of Public Works for good cause shown.
General. Facilities on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within rights-of-way are to be maintained by or for the utility in a manner satisfactory to the City and at the utility’s sole expense.
Emergency Maintenance Procedures. Emergencies may justify non-compliance with normal procedures for securing a permit in the following circumstances:
In an emergency, the utility shall, as soon as possible, notify the Director of Public Works or his or her duly authorized agent of the emergency, informing him or her as to what steps have been taken for protection of the traveling public and what will be required to make the necessary repairs. If the nature of the emergency is such as to interfere with the free movement of traffic, the City police shall be notified immediately.
Emergency Repairs. The utility must file in writing with the City a description of the repairs undertaken in the right-of-way within forty-eight (48) hours after an emergency repair.
Request for Variance. A utility requesting a variance from one or more of the provisions of this Chapter must do so in writing to the Director of Public Works as a part of the permit application. The request shall identify each provision of this Chapter from which a variance is requested and the reasons why a variance should be granted.
Authority to Grant Variances. The Director of Public Works shall decide whether a variance is authorized for each provision of this Chapter identified in the variance request on an individual basis.
Conditions for Granting of Variance. The Director of Public Works may authorize a variance only if the utility requesting the variance has demonstrated that:
Additional Conditions for Granting of a Variance. As a condition for authorizing a variance, the Director of Public Works may require the utility requesting the variance to meet reasonable standards and conditions that may or may not be expressly contained within this Chapter but which carry out the purposes of this Chapter.
Right to Appeal. Any utility aggrieved by any order, requirement, decision or determination, including denial of a variance, made by the Director of Public Works under the provisions of this Chapter shall have the right to appeal to the City Council, or such other board or commission as it may designate. The application for appeal shall be submitted in writing to the City Clerk within thirty (30) days after the date of such order, requirement, decision or determination. The City Council shall commence its consideration of the appeal at the Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting occurring at least seven (7) days after the filing of the appeal. The City Council shall timely decide the appeal.
Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $750 for each such violation, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed for each and every day during which a violation continues or exists. There may be times when the City will incur delay or other costs, including third party claims, because the utility will not or cannot perform its duties pursuant to its permit and this Chapter. Unless the utility demonstrates that another allocation of the cost of undertaking the requested action is appropriate, the utility shall bear the City’s costs of damages and its costs of installing, maintaining, modifying, relocating, or removing the facility that is the subject of the permit. No other administrative agency or commission may review or overrule a permit related cost apportionment of the City. Sanctions may be imposed upon a utility that does not pay the costs so apportioned.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as limiting any additional or further remedies that the City may have for enforcement of this Chapter.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court 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 hereof."