Informational Meetings

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Informational Meetings

• Jim Sundermeyer
• Utilities Regulation Engineer
• jim.sundermeyer_at_iub.state.ia.us

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Informational Meetings

• What are they?
• When are they required?
• What do I have to do?

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What is an Informational Meeting?

• Informational meetings are meetings where
• a utility board representative reads a summary of
  electric line franchise process and law,
• company representatives present information about
  a proposed project,
• landowners are given the opportunity to ask
  questions about the project and Board procedures.

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When are informational meetings required?

• Informational meetings are required for
  transmission lines that would extend one mile or
  more on privately owned real estate. 478.2
  11.4
• Distance is based on impacted privately owned
  real estate, not circuit miles of the line.
• Overhang easements need to be considered.
• Applies to underground lines as well.

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What do I have to do?

• Determine a date for the meeting.
• Reserve a facility.
• Mail notices.
• Publish a notice.
• Have appropriate people and equipment at the
  meeting.

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Determining a date for the meeting

• The date, time and location of the meeting shall
  be coordinated with Board staff. 11.4(4)
• Contact Jim Sundermeyer
• jim.sundermeyer_at_iub.state.ia.us
• 515.242.5225
• Make sure you have enough time for the notices.
• Consider specifying a back-up date.

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Reserving a facility

• You are responsible for all negotiations and
  compensation for a suitable facility including
  but not limited to a building or facility which
  is in substantial compliance with the
  requirements of the Americans with Disabilities
  Act Accessibility Guidelines, Chapter 4, where
  such a building or facility is reasonably
  available. 11.4(1)

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Things to consider

• Size/seating capacity
• Parking
• Need for sound system
• Time of year (planting/harvest,state tournaments)
• Afternoon or evening?
• Refreshments?

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What should the notices include? 478.2 11.5(1)a

• The applicants name,
• the applicants principal place of business,
• the general description and purpose of the
  proposed project,
• the general nature of the right-of-way desired,
• the possibility that the right-of-way may be
  acquired by condemnation if approved by the
  Utilities Board,
• a map showing the route of the proposed project
• (1 of 2)

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What should the notices include? 478.2 11.5(1)a

• a description of the process used by the board in
  making a decision on whether to approve a
  franchise or grant the right to take property by
  eminent domain,
• that the landowner has a right to be present at
  such meeting and to file objections with the
  board,
• a designation of the time and place of the
  meeting,
• the following statement Persons with
  disabilities requiring assistive services or
  devices to observe or participate should contact
  the Utilities Board at [phone] in advance
  of the scheduled date to request that appropriate
  arrangements be made.
• (2 of 2)

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Who should the notices be mailed to?

• Notices should be mailed to those persons,
  companies or corporations listed on the tax
  assessment rolls as responsible for payment of
  real estate taxes and parties in possession of or
  residing on the property over which the
  prospective petitioner will seek easements.
  478.2 11.5(1)

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How should the notices be mailed?

• Notices need to be served by certified mail with
  return receipt requested not less than 30 days
  prior to the meeting. 478.2 11.5(1)b
• You are not required to include the IUB or OCA in
  the mailing list.
• It is appreciated if you (electronically) file
  copies of the notices as soon as practical.

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Publishing the notice

• The same notice (or one containing the same
  information) needs to be published in a
  newspaper of general circulation in the county at
  least one week and not more than three weeks
  prior to the time set for the meeting. 478.2
  11.5(1)c

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Holding the meeting general comments

• Plan to show up early.
• Bring the appropriate personnel and equipment.
• Make sure people can find the meeting.

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Your presentation must cover

• Utility service requirements and planning which
  have resulted in the proposed construction.
  11.4(3)a
• When the line will be constructed. 11.4(3)b
• In general terms, the physical construction,
  appearance and typical location of poles and
  conductors with respect to property lines.
  11.4(3)c
• In general terms, the rights which petitioner
  shall seek to acquire by easements. 11.4(3)d
• (1 of 3)

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Your presentation must cover

• Procedures to be followed in contacting affected
  parties for specific negotiations in acquiring
  voluntary easements. 11.4(3)e
• Methods and factors used in arriving at an
  offered price for voluntary easements including
  the range of cash amount of each component.
  11.4(3)f
• Manner in which voluntary easement payments are
  made, including discussion of conditional
  easements, signing fees and time of payment.
  11.4(3)g
• (2 of 3)

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Your presentation must cover

• Other factors or damages not included in the
  easement for which compensation is made,
  including features of interest to affected
  parties but not limited to computation of amounts
  and manner of payment. 11.4(3)h
• If the undertaking is a joint effort by more than
  one entity, the other participants shall also be
  represented at the informational meeting by
  qualified personnel to speak for them in the
  matters set forth in 11.4(3)a through
  11.4(3)h.. 11.4(3)i
• (3 of 3)

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Additional Comments

• Petitions cannot be filed until at least 30 days
  after the date of the informational meeting.
  478.2 11.4
• Petitions must be filed within two years of the
  informational meeting. 11.4
• You cannot negotiate or purchase transmission
  line easements or other interests in land prior
  to the informational meeting. 478.2

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Additional Comments

• IUB staff will, upon request, review and provide
  feedback on proposed notices (mailed and
  published) and other draft meeting documents.
• Please file copies of the final notices with us
  no later than date notices are mailed/published.
  (These copies will allow us to respond to
  questions and inquiries.)
• Copies of the mailed and published notices, along
  with an affidavit stating the informational
  meeting was held, must be filed as Exhibit G in
  the petition. 11.2(1)g

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Petition Forms

• Petition forms are available at
• http//www.state.ia.us/iub/
• click on How to File
• then click on Forms and Applications
• right click on the form to download it.