Item 3.1 - Reso of Intention to Establish Underground Utility Dist 67, along a portion of Espola RdGl�.j OF PO
City of Poway
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012'y Y IN T H E C'J� COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
APPROVED
APPROVED AS AMENDED 0
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DENIED 0
REMOVED 0
CONTINUED c
RESOLUTION NO. 14'0 � 5
DATE: April 15, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tina M. White, Interim City Manager' o
INITIATED BY: Robert J. Manis, Director of Development ServicesAl
Steve Crosby, City Enginee6&
SUBJECT: A Resolution of Intention to Establish Underground Utility
District No. 67, Along a Portion of Espola Road
Summary:
The City intends to construct safety improvements consisting of a path and related
improvements on the west side of Espola Road between Mountain Road and Willow
Ranch Road. The project also includes the undergrounding of overhead utilities from
Mountain Road to three hundred feet north of Jerome Drive, with the extent of
undergrounding based upon the City's available 20A funds. It is desirable to
underground existing overhead utilities in this area in conjunction with construction of
the improvement project.
Prior to undergrounding, California Public Utilities Commission's Rule 20 (Rule 20)
requires the formation of an underground utility district. The adoption of the attached
Resolution of Intention is the first step in forming the district. Staff will request the
approval of the district at a future City Council meeting.
Recommended Action:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the Resolution of Intention to Establish
Underground Utility District No. 67.
Background:
On June 4, 2013 the City Council certified the Espola Road Improvement Project Final
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Although the EIR was certified, the Council
indicated that it did not intend to construct the entire project, but that the certified EIR
would support installation of a sidewalk on the west side of Espola Road and the
undergrounding of utilities.
In a workshop on October 1, 2013 the City Council directed staff to pursue a project
including pedestrian related improvements on the west side of Espola Road.
Additionally, on October 1, Council adopted Resolution No. 13 -033 confirming that the
City Council and staff will not pursue the widening of Espola Road as shown in the EIR.
1 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item # 3 - I
A Resolution of Intention to Establish Underground Utility District No. 67
April 15, 2014
Page 2
On November 5, 2013 the City Council appropriated funding for the design and
construction of the Espola Road Safety Improvements project. The project will
construct a path and related improvements on the west side of Espola Road from
Mountain Road to just south of Willow Ranch Road. The project includes lighting at
intersections, and wood pole fencing. Undergrounding of overhead utilities is also
included as part of the improvement project, with the undergrounding to be funded with
the City's available 20A funds.
Rule 20 sets policies and procedures for the conversion of overhead power lines and
other equipment to underground facilities. Under Rule 20, undergrounding projects are
financed by utility rate money. These funds come from the rates paid by utility
customers and are distributed annually by SDG &E to jurisdictions to pay for
undergrounding projects. All customers and ratepayers, not just those who live in
locations where facilities will be undergrounded, pay them with their utility bills. Each
jurisdiction chooses which projects will be paid for with 20A funds.
The City intends to use a portion of the 20A funds to also pay for the conversion of
electric service panels to accept underground service for all of the lots within the Espola
Road Underground Utility District and to pay for trenching excavation, conduit
installation, backfill and surface restoration of each customer's individual service lateral.
While 20A funds may be used for standard panel conversions, they may not be used for
existing panel upgrades if required by current building codes. The City will perform the
panel upgrades if necessary and the property owners will not be responsible for the cost
of this construction.
Findings:
It is desirable to underground existing overhead utilities in this area using the City's
available 20A funds in conjunction with construction of the improvement project. Prior
to undergrounding, Rule 20 requires the formation of an underground utility district. By
establishing an underground utility district, poles, overhead wires, and associated
overhead structures will be prohibited within the district.
The City's available 20A funds are not sufficient to underground the entire length of the
improvement project. The proposed district limits were determined by SDG &E based
upon their determination of how much undergrounding could be accomplished using the
City's available 20A funds. The proposed underground district extends along Espola
Road from approximately Mountain Road to just north of Jerome Drive. Existing utility
poles outside of the underground district, but within the improvement project limits, will
be relocated at utility company expense if in conflict with the project improvements.
The boundaries of the proposed district are shown in Attachment B. Sixteen utility poles
will be removed and eleven residences will be converted from overhead to underground
service. The existing pole located between 14144 and 15004 Espola Road (P615446)
will remain, as this pole supports overhead distribution lines to the west which will
2 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item # 3
A Resolution of Intention to Establish Underground Utility District No. 67
April 15, 2014
Page 3
remain overhead. The existing pole at 14845 Espola Road (P319105) will remain, as
this pole supports distribution lines to the east which will remain overhead. A single guy
wire will cross Espola Road at this location. The small pole at 14815 Espola Road
(801770H) will remain for guy purposes only.
Currently, portions of the existing overhead utilities on Espola Road do not meet the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The utility poles impede pedestrian
movement and will interfere with the proposed improvements. The removal of poles,
overhead wires and associated structures, and the underground installation of wires and
facilities for supplying electric, communication and similar or associated service will
improve public health, safety, and welfare by improving ADA compliance, as well as
improving the aesthetics of Espola Road.
The adoption of the attached Resolution of Intention is the first step in forming the
district. Staff will request the approval of the district by Ordinance at a future City
Council meeting.
Fiscal Impact:
The utility undergrounding will be accomplished using the City's currently available 20A
funds, about $1,250,000, and an advance of five future years' allocations of
approximately $130,000 annually, for a total of approximately $1,890,000.
Environmental Review:
Pursuant to Section 15183 of the 2014 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
guidelines, the certified Final Environmental Initial Report (EIR) adopted on June 4,
2013, for the Espola Road Improvement Project, adequately addresses the conversion
(replacement) of the existing utility system along a portion of Espola Road as it is
designed to be consistent with the project described in the EIR, and that additional
environmental review for this project is not required.
Public Notification:
In accordance with Municipal Code Section 12.48.020, letters were mailed on March 27,
2014, to property owners within the underground district. Additional notice was
provided to property owners fronting Espola Road within the Espola Road safety
improvement project limits, to notify them about the project and inform them of the April
15, 2014 Public Hearing. SDG &E, AT &T, and Cox Communications have been notified
of this impending work. Full design coordination with the utility companies will occur
following approval of this District by the City Council.
Attachments:
A. Resolution of Intention to Establish Underground Utility District No. 67
B. Site Map With Proposed District Boundaries
MACIP_Development \CIP Admm\Agenda Reports\2014 Reports \Espola Road Safety Improvement Project\rpt docx
3 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item # 3.1
RESOLUTION NO. 14-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA,
DECLARING THE INTENTION TO ESTABLISH
UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 67
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Poway desires to establish an
Underground Utility District along Espola Road from Mountain Road to three hundred feet
north of Jerome Drive (Exhibit A) for the purpose of improving the public health, safety, and
welfare by placing all utilities underground; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Poway, Municipal Code (Chapter 12.48) a Public Hearing
was held on April 15, 2014 to discuss the proposed Underground Utility District; and
WHEREAS, The City Council heard public testimony for and against the proposed
Underground Utility District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Poway as
follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and-correct and the City Council declares its
intent to establish Underground Utility District No. 67,
PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Poway
at a regular meeting this 15th day of April, 2014.
Don Higginson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sheila R. Cobian, CMC, City Clerk
4 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item #13.1
Resolution No.
Page 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
I, Sheila R. Cobian, City Clerk, of the City of Poway, do hereby certify under penalty of
perjury that the foregoing Resolution No. 14- was duly adopted by the City Council at a
meeting of.said City Council held on the 15th day of April 2014, and that it was so adopted
by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
Sheila R. Cobian, CIVIC, City Clerk
City of Poway
ATTACHMENTS':
Exhibit A
5 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item # 3 • (
EXHIBIT A- Underground Utility District No. 67
JE
OME
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GREENLN
EVE
Ex
p Pole
P615446
D RHU LEN DR
GOLDEN UNSETLN
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Exempt Pole
P3'9105
Road
Wit Guy Only
sing Espola
E TOPO D
TOWN RD
Exempt Pol
For G7uy On
y
8017'70H
MTN RD
EL DOLORA
WY
CARNITAS ST
of P CITY OF POWAY
Legend
N Underground Utility District No 67
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0 125 250 500
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6 of 7 April 15, 2014 Item #-3-1
ATTACHMENT E- Underground Utility District No. 67
JE OME R
EVE GREENLN
Exe p Pol
_P615446 GOLDE UNSETLN
DURHU LEN DR
0
NX
w
Ex mpt Pole
c9
Z
P3'9105
WO Guy Only
W
Cro sing Espola
Road
E TOPO D
TOWN RD
-IT
Exempt Pol
For Guy Only
801 70H
MTN RD
EL DOLORA Wy
CARNITAS ST
OF p CITY OF P ®WAY
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Legend
N y
F E o�� Underground Utility District No. 67
IN
0 125 250 500
Feet
7 of 7 ATTACHMENT B April 15, 2014 Item #3-1