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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2003, PH2 - FORMATION OF UNDERGROUND DISTRICT 15: BROAD STREET- SOUTHERLY CITY LIMIT TO 46 METER (-150 FT.) council .°D October 21,2003 j acenaa nepont CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Director of Public Works Prepared By: Robert A. Livick,Supervising Civil Engineer SUBJECT: FORMATION OF UNDERGROUND DISTRICT 15: BROAD STREET - SOUTHERLY CITY LIMIT TO 46 METERS (-- 150 ft.) NORTH OF ORCUTT ROAD CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt resolution approving the proposed revised priority list for underground districts (Attachment 2). 2. Introduce an ordinance to amend Section 13.12.040 of the municipal code to establish Underground District 15 (Attachment.3). 3. Direct staff to proceed with District 15 upon final adoption of the amended municipal code. DISCUSSION The City has been actively engaged in undergrounding overhead utility lines using Public Utilities Commission (PUC)Rule 20A funding since 1965. To date, thirteen (13) districts have been completed and the fourteenth (Santa Rosa Street Bridge) is under construction. Underground conversion projects have followed a "priority list", adopted and amended by various City Councils.. The list was last revised by Resolution 8995 (1999 Series) on December 7, 1999 (Attachment 4) to add the Santa Rosa Bridge project. The general criteria used to create the priority list for undergrounding is as follows: 1. Downtown 2. Major entryways and traffic corridors 3. Streets scheduled for widening 4. Area with large new developments 5. Areas adjacent to above locations and which have particularly unsightly overhead utilities. The Project—Why Broad Street Now? Broad Street Undergrounding District 15 is proposed at this time in order to take advantage of potential pooling of funds to do undergrounding on this major entryway to the City and County areas. The project is a cooperative project between the City and County to leverage their available 20A funds to achieve the goal of undergrounding the southernmost reach of Broad Street from the South City limits to 46 meters (— 150ft.) north of the intersection of Broad Street and Orcutt Road. The project also includes a small section of Tank Farm Road, within the City limits, west of Broad Street. This reach of Broad Street (Attachment 1) is designated partially as a road of High scenic value in the City's Circulation Element and partially as a Moderate scenic road along the northern section of the project area.. i Council Agenda Report—Undergrounding District 15 Page 2 Additionally this area of Broad Street has or will have multiple large developments along its reach, including the Damon Garcia Sports Fields, Cole Motors, Broad Street Mixed use, and expansion of the Creekside Commercial Center. Coordinating undergrounding all at one time should somewhat reduce the undergrounding costs collectively for private parties. Undergrounding District Procedures Procedures for underground utility districts are prescribed in Chapter 13.12 (Underground Utilities) of the Municipal Code. The respective utility companies and affected property owners have been notified of this public hearing by mail and newspaper advertising. After hearing testimony and if the Council finds that the district should proceed, it may introduce the ordinance. Final adoption of the ordinance is tentatively scheduled for November 18, 2003. The ordinance provides a written.description of the district and establishes the time by which all overhead utilities must be removed. The schedule has been coordinated with the various utility companies and is acceptable to them. This is a particularly complex district, according to the utility companies, and the preliminary schedule was extended due to their anticipated design schedule and current priorities. It may also include coordination and processing of CalTrans permits, since Broad Street is a State Highway. There are sufficient 'Rule 20A" funds available to do this project. Additionally, eighty five thousand dollars ($85,000) is programmed in the 2005-2006 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget to cover City costs for modifications to the street lighting as part of the project and the addition of signal interconnect conduit associated with the district. In January of this year the California Public Utilities Commission revised the Rule 20A program allowing 20A funds to be used for panel conversions. In the past property owners were required to make any necessary modifications to their own utility service connections to receive underground service. This cost sometimes vaned from a hundred to a thousand dollars or more, depending on the points of connection, the types of existing equipment and the distance from the new utility mains. Under these revisions either the City or PG & E will contract for the panel conversions including any electrical permits and this should reduce confusion for adjacent property owners. Based on P G &E experience with other recent undergrounding districts, it is more efficient for P G &E to coordinate the onsite panel conversions. However, if it is necessary that the City contract for the work then P G&E will reimburse the City for all work performed. Specific details on this issue will be worked out at a later date and will be coordinated with the utility companies, property owners and City staff. Revising the Underground Priority List A proposed revision to the priority list is shown in Attachment 2. This section of Broad Street is being recommended as the revised number one priority because the County 20A funds will not be available again for match on this section of Broad Street and by accessing those funds, long term costs for the City and adjacent property owners will be reduced. 02'oZ Council Agenda Report—Undergrounding District 15 Page 3 The County's Role As mentioned above San Luis Obispo County will be simultaneously creating their own overlapping undergrounding district soon after the City takes its action. Their version of our Attachment 1 will show some areas of Broad Street in the same area as shown on the City version. This is due to properties that are currently in the County or have just recently annexed. The map will also show an extension of the District on Tank Farm Road from the City limits to the intersection of Tank Farm and Santa Fe Roads. Thus, once completed, all utilities will be completely undergrounded on Broad Street from the South City Limits to Orcutt Road and on Tank Farm Road from Broad Street to Santa Fe Road. This action by the County does require approval by the County Board of Supervisors. CONCURRENCES San Luis Obispo County Utilities Undergrounding Committee The joint recommendation for undergrounding along Broad Street is an outstanding example of two agencies working together to solve issues within limited budget resources. For over two years City Staff has met several times with the San Luis Obispo County Utilities Undergrounding Committee to discuss the coordination of this project area. The County's undergrounding committee is comprised of representatives from SBC Communications, Inc. (Steve Plemons), Charter Communications (Bill Vedrin), P G & E (Marshon Quiram), County Staff (Tim Smith) and two public members (John Brock, Chairman and John Wallace, Vice-Chairman). The County's Undergrounding Committee supports and is very enthusiastic about the undergrounding of the utilities in Broad Street recognizing that the corridor serves both the County and City areas. The Committee will be recommending that the County Board adopt an undergrounding district for that portion of Broad Street outside the City Limit. This way the entire reach of Broad Street, from the southerly City Limits to Orcutt Road will be underground. In addition to the mere coordination between the City and the County on this undergrounding issue, the County Undergrounding Committee will be recommending to the County Board that a substantial amount (see the Fiscal Impact section) of the County's 20A funds be used in this proposed undergrounding district to assist in project delivery. Tree Committee On Monday, September 22, 2003 the tree committee discussed issues with the undergrounding of local utility lines and district corridor designations. After general Committee discussion, the three members present agreed to recommend to City Council that boundaries for the mutually agreed upon City-County Broad Street project be expanded to include the section of Broad Street between South Street and Orcutt Road. Rationale for this recommendation was that existing utility lines caused damage to street trees because of trimming requirements on an annual basis. Attachment 5 contains minutes of the Committee discussion. Staff has reviewed this recommended change and does not recommend to Council that the �-3 1 � Council Agenda Report—Undergrounding District 15 Page 4 project boundaries be expanded at this time. There are not sufficient funds in the City's 20A pool to complete this work at this time and extending the project boundary now will cause delay to the project schedules that have been developed with the County, PG&E and other utility companies. These delays could cause problems in accessing the County 20A funds. It is recommended that if Council deems this additional section of Broad Street as a corridor for future undergrounding that Council consider the remaining corridors shown on Attachment 2 and give direction for its relative importance. It could be amended onto the list now or at a future Council meeting. FISCAL EWPACT Approximately $286,000 is allocated by PG&E every year to the 20A funds for underground conversion within the City. These funds then pay for the work to underground PG&E overhead wires based upon prioritized rankings. The City decides through the underground district process which areas we want to underground first. We can "spend" these funds as much as five years in advance. PG&E has confirmed that this project is eligible for 20A funds. As of June 19, 2003 the City had approximately $1,041,618 in its 20A account balance with $133,000 allocated for existing projects currently under construction. Anew allocation is made each January. PG&E estimates their work will cost approximately $2,250,000 to complete the proposed district area. Staff has estimated the County's share in the undergrounding of Broad Street is approximately $709,872 or 32-percent of the project. With the County's 20A contribution, the cost of this proposed underground district will require the City to borrow ahead for approximately $631,510 against future 20A allocations.. The Tree Committee's recommendation to add the reach of Broad Street from Orcutt Road to South Street would add approximately $870,000 to the cost of the proposed project. This cost would exceed the amount of 20A funds that are currently available or can be borrowed against. In addition to the Rule 20A funds the City has programmed $85,000 in the FY 2005-2006 CIP for modifications to the City's street lighting system associated with the undergrounding project and also installation of interconnect conduit to coincide with utility trenching. ALTERNATIVES The Council may add to or delete portions of the district,such as: 1. Add the portion of Broad Street, between Orcutt Road and South Street. The cost of this portion is very high and is estimated to cost an additional $870,000 due to the level of existing street improvements but cannot be funded and may cause undue delays to implementation. 2. Do not develop an underground district for this area. Council Agenda Report—Undergrounding District 15 Page 5 Attachments Attachment 1 —Proposed Map of District 15 Attachment 2—Draft Resolution Attachment 3—Draft Ordinance Attachment 4—Resolution 8995 (1999 Series) Attachment 5 —Tree Committee Minutes September 22, 2003 i:\_council agenda reports\2003 agenda reports\transportation and development review (bochum)\underground district 15\car undergrounding districtl5.doc city of san tuts oBispo Attachment 1 utilities unbERcnounbinc 61StRiCt 15 Bnoab stizEEt „ ,p ...._. .�-ORCUiT._..pj J �_. ... _. 'u_u i1.�Yfl�.�i..rur.�• 1� IV i 00 ` .000 INS City U!nIts 1 Y a .. TANK.FARM ....... co N 'lot-f, E W+ E �•., i .AIRP.O_ iS 1 0 1 2 Kilometers City Limits Undergrounding District 15 ATTACHMENT 2 RESOLUTION NO. (2003 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADOPTING A REVISED PRIORITY LIST FOR UNDERGROUND DISTRICTS FOR OVERHEAD UTILITIES WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo maintains an ongoing program to place overhead utility lines underground; and WHEREAS, the City Council periodically updates and adopts a new priority list for this work; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of San Luis Obispo: SECTION 1. The following priority list shall be used for the proposed utility undergrounding districts: District 15 Broad (SR 227)—46 meters n/o Orcutt Rd. to Southerly City Limits District 16 Hi era-s/o High to Marsh District 11 Monterey- Santa Rosa to US 101 District 18 Broad- Marsh to South District 19 Area bounded by Santa Rosa, Marsh, California, Monterey District 20 Grand - Monterey to Slack District 21 California- San Luis to US 101 SECTION 2. Resolution No. 8995 (1999 Series) is hereby rescinded. Upon motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 2003. Mayor David F. Romero APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: J P. Lowell, City Attorney Lee Price, City Clerk a-7 r � I ATTACHMENT 3 ORDINANCE NO. (2003 Series) AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING SECTION 13.12.040 OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH A NEW UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT 15 WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo wishes to improve the appearance of the City by the removal of overhead utilities in areas of scenic interest; and WHEREAS, Broad Street (SR 227)provides a visual gateway to the southern part of the City of San Luis Obispo; and WHEREAS, the City is able to utilize California Public Utility Commission funding for this purpose; BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The following Subsection 15 of Section 13.12.040 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code is hereby added to establish Underground District 15: 15. That portion of real property being a strip of land described as State Route 227 in the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California,being described as follows: A strip of land referred to as all that portion of State Route 227 , as shown on the California Department of Transportation District 5, Right-of-Way Map—Edna to High Street in San Luis Obispo, SLO-227 (Post.Mile 7.6 to Post.Mile 12.9).said strip beginning at the at the intersection of the centerline of SR. 27,.and the prolongation of Southerly Corporate Limit line for the City of San Luis Obispo as shown on the official map for Annexation No. 53 to said centerline with said prolongation having a bearing of N 540 46' 04" E thence northwesterly along said centerline of SR 227 approximately 2898 meters more or less to the intersection of said strip with the prolongation of the northerly line of Lot 11, Yoakum Poultry Units recorded in Book.3 Page 89 of Maps; in the office of the Recorder for the County of San Luis Obispo. And that portion of real property being a strip of land more particularly described as Tank Farm Road in the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, being described as follows: A strip of land referred to as all that portion of Tank Farm Road as shown on a map recorded in Book 1 at Page 92 of Surveys in the County Recorders office of said County, said strip of land beginning at the intersection of Edna Road (SR 227) as shown on said map, and proceeding westerly to the prolongation of the west most line of Parcel 4 in Book 56 at page 90 and 91 of Parcel Maps in the County Recorders office of said County. Excluding that portion of real property described above not within the Corporate Limits of the City of San Luis Obispo. Property owners shall be prepared to receive underground service by September 30, 2005 and overhead facilities shall be removed from public property by June 30, 2007. a-� i Property owners shall not incur any costs required for conversions. SECTION 2. A summary of this ordinance, approved by the City Attorney,together with the names of the Council members voting for and against it, shall be published at least five days prior to its final passage, in the Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance will go into effect at the expiration of thirty days after its final passage. INTRODUCED on the day of , 2003 and FINALLY ADOPTED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the day of 2003, on the following roll call: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: AagrafflP. Lowet City Attorney WTT4C4#76J-'TT G� RESOLUTION NO.8995 (1999 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADOPTING A PRIORI'T'Y LIST FOR UNDERGROUND DISTRICTS FOR OVERHEAD UTILITIES WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo maintains an ongoing program to underground overhead utility lines; and WHEREAS, the City Council periodically updates and adopts a new priority list for this work; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of San Luis Obispo: SECTION 1. The following priority list shall be used for the undergrounding of overhead utilities: District 14 Santa Rosa-Marsh to Pacific District 15 Hi uera =s/o High to Marsh District 16 Montere Santa Rosa to US 101 District 17 Broad- Marsh to South District 18 Area bounded by Santa Rosa, Marsh, California-,-Monterey District 19 Grand- Monterey to Slack District 20 California-San Luis to US101_ SECTION 2. Resolution No. 8471 (1995 Series) previously listing priorities shall be rescinded. Upon motion of Council Member Ewan, seconded by Vice Mayor Romero, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Member Ewan, Marx, Vice Mayor Romero.,Mayor Settle NOES: Council Member Schwartz ABSENT: None the foregoing resolution was adopted this 7th day of December, 1999. Mayor Allen Settle ATT " 'T: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Lee Price, City Clerk fr y . J ge . n, CIO Attorney R 8995 JGfl ATTACHMENT 5-1 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Monday, September 22, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Hauss, Laura Rice, Jim Lopes STAFF PRESENT: Ron Combs, Todd Beights, Lisa Woske ■ APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the August 25, 2003 regular meeting were approved as submitted. ■ TREE REMOVAL REQUESTS ■ 1625 CARLA COURT (2 Canary Island pines) Tom Goosen, applicant, submitted letters from the neighbors which favored the removals of the trees. He was concerned about safety and litter hazards and the high allergens produced by the trees. He believed the trees were infested with beetles and were distressed and failing, and he noted that nothing could be landscaped under/around the trees. He stated he had already planted other trees on the property. Mr. Combs reported that these trees were skyline trees in fair health, but agreed that beetles were causing the health of the trees to decline. Ms. Rice felt both trees were failing and that their removal would not harm the character of the neighborhood. She noted the nearby ginko tree would thrive.if the trees were removed. Mr. Lopes favored the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and suggested a minimum of one--possibly two -- 15-gallon shading, deciduous trees to be planted. Ms. Hauss agreed with the previous comments. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request, based on promoting good arboricultural practice, and required one 15-gallon replacement deciduous tree to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Mr. Lopes seconded the motion. a-1� I ATTACHMENT 5-2 The motion passed unanimously.. ■ 1208 SAN MATEO (Canary Island pine) The applicant discussed their concerns about the liability with slipping on large amount of dropped needles and the continuous maintenance performed on the tree and in cleaning up the litter. They noted the sidewalk was being lifted and cracked. There was also evidence of beetle infestation. It was suggested to replace the pine with a birch. Mr. Combs noted it was a skyline tree and was starting to decline. He stated there were a lot of large surface roots and felt the driveway problems were probably due to these roots. Mr. Lopes favored the removal,based on undue hardship. He suggested a Chinese pistache as a replacement species. Ms. Rice agreed with undue hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice. She suggested removing the failing ash tree on the property at the same time and replace both trees with a more suitable species. The applicant agreed with the ash tree's removal. Ms. Hauss agreed with the Committee comments and agreed with concerns over slip liability due to needles. Ms. Rice moved to approve the removal request for the pine and the agreed-upon ash tree,based on undue hardship and promoting good arboricultural practice, and required two 15-gallon replacement trees to be chosen from the Master Street Tree list and planted within 45 days of issuance of permit. Ms. Hauss seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ■ ANACAPA CIRCLE LANDSCAPE MEDIAN Mr. Combs noted this item had been withdrawn. 3. NEW BUSINESS ■ UNDERGROUNDING OF LOCAL UTILITY LINES Mr. Lopes discussed concerns with the undergrounding of local utility lines and district corridor designations. _After general Committee discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend to City Council that the undergrounding of utility lines be expanded to include Broad Street rte , ATTACHMENT 5-3 (between South Street and Orcutt Road) in order to prevent further damage to city street trees along this corridor. The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. to the next regular meeting at 5 p.m., October 27, 2003. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske,Recording Secretary �� 13 RED FILE M 1vM MEETING AGEND#�� October 21, 2003 DATEITEM P//oZ, To: Council Collea From Ken Schwartz Copies: Ken Hamp' y George, Mike McCluskey,,John Mandeville, Jonathan Lowe Re: Agenda Item PH-2,Attachment 2,page 2-7 1 favor the establishment of Undergroundmg District 15 to cooperate with the County and to underground the overhead utilities on Broad Street running from Orcutt Road to the Southern City Limits—especially given that this district proposes to use a majority of County undergrounding funds. I do,however, request that the Council reconsider the priority listing of the other under- grounding districts shown in the table under Section 1 of this Resolution. . l favor-reversing the priority of Districts-17 and 16 in keeping with the Council priority of improving our image for tourists. I also favor breaking District 17(now 16)into two components:(a)Upper Monterey to the RR;and(b)Monterey from the RR to Santa Rosa ifnothmg more than to accelerate the undergrounding process by creating smaller districts. I hope that you would agree.