(A) General standards. The excavation, backfilling, patching, and restoration, and all other work performed in the right-of-way, must be done in conformance with all applicable Minnesota Rules including, without limitation, Minn. Rules parts 7819.1100, 7819.500, and 7819.5100, as well as all of the requirements of this chapter and its other conditions and requirements, insofar as they are not inconsistent with M.S. §§ 237.162 and 237.163, as they maybe amended from time to time. Installation of service laterals must be performed in accordance with Minn. Rules Chapter 7560 and this chapter. The permit holder shall comply with the following standards when performing the work authorized under the permit:
(1) Take precautions as are necessary to avoid creating unsanitary conditions. Observe and comply with all laws, rules, and regulations of the state and city;
(2) Conduct the operations and perform the work in a manner as to ensure the least obstruction to, and interference with, traffic;
(3) Take adequate precautions to ensure 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, the adjoining properties;
(5) Comply with the Uniform Traffic Manual for Traffic Control 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 flaggers in the daytime and by warning lights at night;
(8) Provide proper trench protection as required by OSHA when necessary, and depending upon the type of soil, in order to prevent cave-ins endangering life or tending to enlarge the excavation;
(9) Protect the root growth of trees and shrubbery;
(10) If possible, provide for space in the installation area for other telecommunication right-of-way users and companies which install facilities in public rights-of-way;
(11) Maintain access to all properties and cross streets as possible during construction and installation, and maintain emergency vehicle access at all times;
(12) Maintain alignment and grade unless otherwise authorized by the city. Changes not approved by the city will require removal and reconstruction;
(13) During plowing or trenching of facilities, a warning tape must also be placed at a depth of 12 inches above copper cables with over 200 pairs, and above fiber facilities;
(14) Below concrete or bituminous-paved road surfaces, directional bore facilities must be installed in conduit of a type determined by the permit holder;
(15) The placing of all telecommunications facilities must comply with the National Electric Safety Code, as incorporated by reference in M.S. § 326B.35, as it may be amended from time to time;
(16) Locate property lines near right-of-way lines, and replace any destroyed property corners. A state-licensed surveyor must be used;
(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 must be placed in six-inch layers at optimum moisture and compacted with the objective of attaining 95% of Standard Proctor. Compaction shall be accomplished with hand, pneumatic, or vibrating compactors as appropriate;
(20) Backfill material shall be subject to the approval of the Planner. The Planner may permit backfilling with the material from the excavation, provided the material is granular in nature and acceptable to the Planner;
(21) Compacted backfill shall be brought to bottom of the gravel of the approved street section;
(22) Street and pedestrian traffic shall be maintained throughout construction unless provided otherwise by the permit;
(23) No lugs damaging to roadway surfaces may be used;
(24) Dirt or debris must be periodically removed during construction; and
(25) Other reasonable standards and requirements of the Planner.
(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 feet and a maximum depth of four feet unless an alternate location is approved in advance by the Planner. Buried copper facilities below concrete or bituminous-paved road surfaces must be placed at no less than three feet, but no more than four feet, deep. Other buried copper facilities must be placed at a minimum depth of 30 inches and a maximum depth of four feet;
(3) Crossing of streets and hard-surfaced driveways shall be directional bored unless otherwise approved by the Planner;
(4) If construction is open cut, the permit holder must install the visual tracers within 12 inches and over 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 shall be 95% of Standard Proctor, and copies of test results will be submitted to the Planner. Tests will be required at the discretion of the Planner. Tests must be conducted by an independent testing firm at locations approved by the Planner. Re-compaction and new tests will be required if densities are not met;
(7) The facilities shall be located so as to avoid traffic signals and signs which are generally placed a minimum of four feet behind the curb;
(8) When utilizing trenchless installation methods to cross an area in which a municipal utility is located, and 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;
(9) All junction boxes or access points shall be located no closer than ten feet from city 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 feet of hydrants, valves, lift stations, or manholes in areas where utility easements exist beyond the right-of-way. 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 feet to an existing city utility appurtenance unless an alternate location is approved by the city;
(12) Buried telecommunication facilities must have a locating wire or conductive shield, except for dielectric cables; and
(13) Buried fiber facilities must be placed in a conduit of a type determined by the right-of-way user unless the permit holder obtains a waiver from the city.
(C) Standards for installation of overhead facilities. The permit holder shall comply with the following standards when installing facilities overhead: All wires must be a minimum of 18 feet above ground and at a location that does not interfere with traffic signals, overhead signs, or street lights.
(Ord. 277, passed 11-13-2017)