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SPECIAL CLAIM SC-1920-7: SUBMITTED BY SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY D/B/A AT&T OKLAHOMA IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,411.57 FOR DAMAGE TO A BURIED CABLE AS A RESULT OF PROJECT WORK PERFORMED NEAR 1515 MORREN DRIVE.
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BACKGROUND: A claim was filed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (SBC) d/b/a AT&T Oklahoma (AT&T), in the amount of $2,411.57 for damage to a buried cable located at 1515 Morren Drive.
DISCUSSION: This incident was investigated by David Hager, Utilities Manager, who found on May 31, 2019, a City crew was working near 1515 Morren Drive for the Morren Drive (WA0336) water main replacement project. The crew completed a bore path around the main and safely exposed a nearby cable buried at a depth of two (2’) feet but as the crew began back-reaming, the cable was cut. The cable was correctly marked but the crew assumed the cable would maintain a depth of two (2’) feet when it was unexpectedly buried deeper near the cable pedestal.
AT&T submitted an invoice in the amount of $2,411.57 for the repair of their buried cable. As indicated above, there appears to be possible negligence on the part of the City in this matter and consequently potential liability on the City. The request of AT&T, in the amount of $2,411.57, appears reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the above and foregoing, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney’s office that the claim of SBC d/b/a AT&T in the amount of $2,411.57, as set forth above, be approved.