Overhead electrical facilities must be converted to underground electrical facilities to continue with the West Side Levee Project, the Iowa City City Council said Tuesday.

The resolution was approved with a 7-0 vote on Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The West Side Levee Project will include the construction of an earthen levee, new storm sewer and two new storm water-pumping stations. However to accommodate the project, overhead electrical facilities would need to be relocated by converting electric facilities from overhead to underground.

In addition, power pole guy wires and anchors will be replaced, and underground electrical facilities would be extended.

Agreements with MidAmerican Energy have been negotiated to relocate the utilities.

The cost for relocating the utilities would be $114,953.94. The funding for the project would be from Iowa Economic Development Authority and Community Development Block Grant program.

— by Rebecca Morin