The purpose of this chapter is to define the circumstances under which the city may assume responsibility for connecting buildings, residences, and other structures with utility facilities that have recently been converted from overhead to underground. It is the intent of this chapter that the city will assume such responsibility only where the underground conversion of utility facilities is necessitated by a major public works project. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the city to assume and/or pay for the cost of underground conversion except as may be required under law.
(Ord. 10-348 § 2)
A. 
Except as provided in currently valid tariffs on file with the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, or under existing franchise agreements, which provide for responsibility for payment of undergrounding costs by the customer and/or the city, the cost and expense of converting existing overhead facilities to underground, or installing new facilities underground, and connection from such facilities to buildings, residences and other structures, shall be borne by the serving utilities, or the owners or occupants of the real property served or persons applying for such underground service.
B. 
Notwithstanding subsection (A) of this section, if the city determines that the public health, welfare, convenience and pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety in any street or road widening or relocation project requires conversion of existing overhead facilities to an underground installation, with connection to the buildings, residences and other structures served thereby, then in any such event, the utility or utilities affected shall provide such work; provided, however, that in order for the utility or utilities to connect the undergrounded services to buildings, residences and other structures to be served, each property owner shall convey and grant to the utility or utilities easements or licenses and permission to enter onto the property of such owner for the purpose of connecting such service; provided, further, that the city shall be required to assume and pay, as part of the cost of the project, all or a portion of the cost of underground connection from rights-of-way to buildings, residences or structures to be served as provided within the scope of the project.
(Ord. 10-348 § 2)