TECO STORM PROTECTION PLAN

March 2024

Letter from our President

Dear Golfview Neighborhood Association,

I am writing you on behalf of your board of directors concerning the ongoing TECO power line project.  As you are aware, Tampa Electric (TECO) has been studying the Golf View  neighborhood for two years now in an effort to develop a plan to install the power lines underground.  This program was reviewed and discussed during the previous two annual meetings and in both instances the board and membership expressed support of this project.  However, in the last annual meeting, some concerns were raised about the  language in the agreement and so we asked TECO if they would meet with us to review the agreements in more detail.  As a result,  we met with them to discuss it during our recent  board meeting of February 20th, 2024.  

In this meeting , the TECO representatives provided us with an exhibit that adds written clarification and intent for the  agreement language (a copy of this clarification is provided below called “Easement Language Notes”).  TECO  also informed us that they will be asking residents to sign a “Conversion Agreement” simply acknowledging that the service on your property is being converted to underground on your property as well as a “Point of Service” agreement acknowledging TECO will be moving the source of power to the front of the property that may require either installing a new underground service to your meter or rerouting the existing. If this is not signed, they will install a pole and an overhead wired service  and because the new lines are being run in the front of our properties in the Right of Way, the new pole and overhead wire will be installed in the front of your property to the meter on your home. Additionally, if you should have a change of mind some point in the future, you will pay out of pocket to convert your home’s service to underground and remove the pole. This is most likely your only opportunity to convert with no out of pocket expense. 

We discussed these items  in detail and I can tell you that we, as the board, are now comfortable with the language and voted to unanimously support it.  Accordingly, we would like to ask each  of you to do your best to cooperate with them with the goal of developing  a plan that is ultimately in all of our best interest.  I think it is also important to add that I, along with several other board members, have all volunteered to allow TECO to place the transformers for our respective streets on our property and we would not do this if were not confident in knowing that this work will be done with full consideration given for the existing conditions of our property.

If you would like any additional information, TECO has identified a point of contact for us. His name is Joshua Wynche (JW) and he can be reached at  jwwyche@tecoenergy.com.

Respectfully, 

Chris Kirschner

President, GVNA