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Home My WebLink About0333.092, " ". . .~ , " ~staH rt ~ =teI)O----------~~lY 9, 1992 1 THE HONORABLE CITY COt!N"CIL I palo Alto, California - Resolution 9LIntent to E:?tab 1 ish Unde:cg:round Utility D.i, __ strict Ho~ "l~_ Oownto-...r.1 IV _~_Qhanni.,gLM_~_~..Q1} Members of the Council: Thi~ report presents a tentative procedural c~lendar for replacement of overhead electric/ telephone, and CATV lin~s with an underground system within the proposed boundaries shown on the attached map. It also re~~ests Council adoption of a Resolution of Intent to establish Underground Utility District No. 34 in the project area. Ba::::kgr01.!nd The Electric Utility Undergrounding program is no. primarily focused in areas where Pacific Bell will be able to participate under the guidelines established by the Califo~nia ~~blic Utility Commission. Exhibit IAI shows the current and future undergro',md districts for ~hich funds have been budgeted in the five year Electric Capital Improv~ment p,ogram (ClP}. In the area designated as 32, the underground system has been in operation since January, 1992, and the overhead poles are presently being removed. In the area designated as 33; also kno~~ as Downtown III underground district, the underground cables and equipme.nt in5tallation is in progress. The ar~a 34 which is now being proposed as district number 34 1 is designated for undergrounding as two separate districts in the five year CIP for FY 1991-92 and FY 1992-93. There were several reasons ~hy staff decided to combine and form onE district and these include the proposed Alma corridor improvement, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation ExpaDsion/Renovation project, economic benefit (la~er construction costs} of combining two large projects, and better utilization of existing staff. This undergrounding project 'Will result in the removal of 136 poles and provide underground service to 285 parcels. out of the 285 parcels there are 197 single family homes, 78 co~e,cial properties, 3 parkinq lots and 7 condominwn co:roplexes W'itb 92 units. Undergroundinq in this do~ntown commercial/residential area will complete the conversion program fer the downtown area CHR:333:92 -. >'--. ;:." .. :>~~-.; _:._.:r,""-t, - --- and will result in tot~l i~tegration of all adjoining underground districts. Completion of this proj~ct;. \r.'ill eliminate overhl?ac! distribution lines in the downtown area and ~il1 enable extension of the more efficient 12kV s:.rste'31 into the exi sting underground districts in the Cresent Park subdivision and the Midd:efield Road district currently sa~ved by the 4kV system. Other. benefits include redu~ed tree trimming costs, increased safety due to elimination of poles in the roadways, i'l!lproved reliability and aesthetics~ Once the u~derground district is created, the Utilities Department ~ould prepare bids for the installation of the underground substructure required prior to placing the electric, telephone, CATV, street light and City cO~Junication facilities underground~ After the n€w underground systems (cable, transformers, switChes, etc~) have been installed, the property owners will connect: to the new underground system, utilizing their own cont~acto~s. City ~revs ~ill then remove the overhead power lines, and telephone crews will complete the project by removal of the remaining telephone and CATV overhead ~acilities and the poles. On April 14, 1992, a letter was sent to t~e property owners in the proposed district introducing the project and inviting them to a ~eeting. During the meeting (attended by only 14 property owners) on May 20, 1992, staff explained the details of the p~oject and ansvered questions from the pr~perty owners. A questionnaire, which ~as included with the letter, ~a5 used to determine the level of support for the project. staf~ has received completed queationnaires from 187 property owners, of ~hom 57 percent are in favor of the project, 30 percent are against and 13 percent are undecided. The total cost of the proposed project is estimated at $4,050,000. For fiscal year 1991-92 and 1992-93, $130,000 has been designated for planning and engineering of this project and has been allocated in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 Electric Capital Improvement project Funds. The first step in the establishment of the district is Council adoption of a Resolution of Intent ~o establish Underground Utility district No. 34. The resolution defines the district boundaries and sets a time and place for a publi~ hearing on the matter which will be scheduled for the October 19, 19~2, council meeting. At the pUblic hearing, the property owners will have an opportunity to comment on the project~ The adoption of the Resolution of Intent will also serve as a formal action that is required by Pacific Bell prior to starting enginee~ing design. , CJU<:333,'2 ~ i ;:1 , - o After toe public hearing, if the co~ncil elects to proceed, the !ollo~inq ,~ill occur: U~derground utility District No. 34 ~il1 be initiated by Council's adoption of the attached Resolution of Intent. District No. 34 encompasses t' ,e area bounded by Cowper Street, Addison Avenue: Alma Avenue, ar.d Forest Avenue. 2. council will hold a public hearing on Underground utility District No.34 soliciting public comment. After public commen~ .. Council will eitner adopt .-,r l."eject an ordinance forming Underground Utility District No. 34 3. A contractor will be retained to install power, telephone, communication and cable TV substructu~e in a jointly occupied trench. Upon a~ard of contract by the Council. an agreement for joint participation between the City, Pacific Bell, and Cable Coop will be executed. The only cost to the property o·wners will be that of replacing the overhead service drops to their buildings ~ith underground servic~s. Property owners will be offered the option of f1nancinq their service conversions under Section 12.16~091. of the Municipal Code. Th is involves borrowing the f\Jnds from the City and having the repoyment costs added to their property tax bills over a 10 year period at an interest rate specified by the council. Environmental Impact Assessment This project is categorically exempt from the environmental impact assessment procedure, as described in the Palo Alto Environmental Procedures~ Council Action and _Tentative Schedul~ The first Council acticn required to initiate the procedure will be adoption of the Resolutio . ., of Intent to Establish Underground District No. 34. Bela .... is the tentative project schedule:. 2. 3. 4. Action Resolution of Intent to Establish Underground utility District No. 34 Public Hearing Award of construction contract and Joint Construction Agreement w'ith Pacific Bell/CATV Substructure (conduit, vaults etc.) installation by contractor. CJOt:)31:gZ L July 13, 1992* October 19, 1992- April 1993* May 1993 thru OCtober 1993 • 5. 6. 7. 8. , ... ~- ~~-.:.-~~ ...... -.,~--.. --~.",,"",.,. -.~'~'.~",,~ ~ ReslJIution deten:r:ining properties electi:r:g to pay service conversion cost over a period of 10 years. Installation of underground facilities (cables# switche~ etc~l Service Conversion vork by proplilrty o'W'J1el'"S Pole removal and project completion * Denotes council Action Reconppendation Auqust 1993 November 1993 thru May 1994 May 1994 thru AUg'.J.st 1994 August 1994 thru December 1994 st4ff recommends that Council adopt the attached Resolution of Ir.tent to amend Se~tion 12.16.02, ot Chapter 12.16 of Titl~ 121 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code by establishing Underground Utility District No. 34. Respectfully submitted l \\~~\~ MICHAEL n. BEANLANn Electrical Enqineering Manager ~~7Y<';Y-7 ~~Of . ities .J~LEKlNG ~sistant Cit : / ~ttaChment: Related CKR.: ager Resolution District 34. Exhibit "AM Boundary Map -U. G. Conversion Projects CMR:212 :91 Downtown III Underground Conversion Project CJIll:l33 "2 .. ., 3 '1'0: n~~ers of the City Council SUBJECT: !tem No~ 3 Res~lution of Intent to Sstablish Undergrounc District No~ 34 July 10, 1-992. Tha Staff Report issu~d for the above item was in error. The only action that needs to he tak,en is the adoption of the Resolution. The other two items shovn on th~ ~genda r~quire no action4 " , <&or->.../ (. ~ RICHARD YOUNG " Director of Utilities ltttachm~!'lt: Revised Staff Re~o:rt --- L . - ~e.... BEAC'l,..c1!.'!L [''''f_:'~ ".,"'1-'''''7.':;1< L - r--'~------:-l 7U:',' I,I ,-,~J'''T,',V" L....-----'.:_,_.J l ~,'c:,",' 1,,',' ,\jJ 0·':--C'.;( -j:O "'r,(JrJ;,i~ I ',r£.': ,'S /,!:(I,''II,,1,1I ,~iJ .i1 TO WN IV & Ct-tAl'J~'.JG/ ACXJr,;Ot.; 1-'; :-+-:':,::C+ ::::::-:::;;=:,','",c:,-+'-::"-1 lNOEflGROiJND {)+STRICT .IVO. 34 B(X;vQAQY M4P CITY OF PALO ALTO CAUf'ORNIA "--IOC' ':{-j. ',w -. \ r .-1 L . j . , ,," ~I .: -I I -. -t \ I 1 • t ..J --,,": .. ~, ... ;~~f~~::~ - RE$Ol.JUT I ON NO. _________ _ 'RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF 'l'HE CITY Of PALO i!"LTO DECLARING ITS INTENTION '1'0 AI1END ,sECTION' 12.16.020 OF CHAPTER 12 ~ 16 DF TITLE 12 OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAIJ CODE bY ESTABLISH} NG UNOERGRG;;ND U'l'ILITY DISTiUCT NUMBEl< 34 The Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOL',lE as follows: ~Q1~. In its opinion, the public necessity~ health and safety require, and that it is th~ intention of said Council, pursuant to Section 12.16.C40 of Chapter 12.16 of ~'itle 12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (liCodel':"), to a~.end Section 12.16.C20 of Chapter 12.16 of the Code, by order~ng the establishment of an Underground Utility District ,"District") and to prohibit the construction in and require the re~oval from said proposed District of all poles and overhead I ines and associa:tE!d overhead structures used or useful in supplying electric, communication or similar and associated services. SECTION ___ £. The numher of the proposo:;d Dl.strict is Und~r9rQund Utility District N'Lu:1ber 3( of the City of Palo Alto l com.vnonly kno-w;' as Downtown IV and Channing/Addison Avenue. SECTIO~. The descr ipt.i 01') of the area comt:-rising said District is as follows: All of the area in the County of Santa Clara, city of Palo Alto, encorr.passing the area bOl .. nded by Cowper street, Addison ).venue, Alma Avenue, and Forest Avenue, all as more partic~larly described on that certain map El1ti tled ItDo'Wnto-.m IV and Channing/Addison Ave~ue Underground Utility Dis trict Number 34, n on file in t..he oifice of the City Clerk. S_ECTION ..;;. From and after trJ8. effect ive date of the establishment of said proposed District, no person or utilit¥ shall erect or construct wi thin said District cr.1' pole, overhead ll.nes or associated overhead structure us.ed or USE-f:Jl in sL:pplying electric, communication or similar asso.:iated se~' ices. SECTIQJ:L ____ !2.. within ninety (gO} daj's from the date of the completion and acceptance of the pr0posed underground facilities within said District to be constructEd by the City of Palo Alto and the Pacific Bell COlt'Pdn}~, all poles and overhead ] ines and associated structures used or useful in supplying electric, communication or similar and associated se_nrices in Eaid prop0sed District shall be removed, and from and after said date no person or utility shall use or maintain such facilities within said proposed District. Additional notice shall be given after said co~pletion date has been precisely deter?ined . . ~H::C'l'IQli.......§.. Nol'ICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Monday, the 19th -:lay of October, 1992, at the llOur of 7:30 o'clock; p.m., 1!l the ;-E!9u1ar meeting place of said City Council, civic center l Palo Alto, California, are hereby fixed as the ti~e and place ~hen and where said council shall hear all protests and receive evidence for and a;p-air.st the action herein prc'posed, and ...,hen and w-here said Counc1l shall consider and finally determine whether the public 1 'L " - ,--,~ necessity, health and safety require tb.e establishment of said District and the removal of poles, overhea.d I,rw'ir£s, and ass0ciatej overhead structures, and the u~derground in~tallation of ~ires and facilltie:c; ~or si.lpplying eleo:-tric, co:;nmunlcaticn and sirr,ilar or aS5~ciated sel~ices in the District hereinabove described. SEQrLQl:L.2. At said public he:3.rir,g, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to be heard4 Saic! hearing :may be continued from time to time as deter-mined by said CQuncil, SECTION S. The Electrical Engineering Manager, Departonent of !.!tilities, City of Palo Alto, is hereby designated as the person to answer inquir1es regarding the protest proceedings, to be had here-in and may be contacted Q'..lri, .... g re:gt.:lar office hours at Palo Alto Civic Ce:nter, 250 Hanilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California, 94301, or by calling (415) 329-2365, ~C'TION' 9. The Clerk of the City shall give notice of said public hearing b¥ publishing notice of the rublic hearing and the director of util~ties shall ~ail copies of this resolution to all property owners I,rw'ithin said proposed Oistrict as 6ho""n on the last equalized tax roll of the City, and to all utilities supplying electric, communication or similar or associated services within said proposed District, said !nailing to be completed at least thirty (JO) days pr5..or to the date of said public he~ring, The Clerk is authori zed to include in the notice to be mailed a statement to thp.. effect that any affected property owner has the option. of paying the cost of comlertirlg his or l".er service connection to underground locations over a period cf ~ears. Such no~ice shall conform to Section 12.16.092 of Chapter 12.16 of Title 12 of the Code. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: }..BS'l'ENTIONS ~ ATTEST: APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Manager Sr. Assistant City Attorney Director of Finance 2