HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/1963ADJOURNED MEETING OF CITY CCU\ICIL
MOTEL INN BANQUET F:OOcdi
October 15, 1963
7 :30 P. i\%.
ROLL CALL Present: Councilwoman Iviargaret McNeil, Councilmen i:. L. Graves, Jr.
and Clell ail. :helchel
Absent: Councilmen Donald Q. Miller and Miayor Clay P. Davidson
CITY STAFF Present: Richard D. Miller, Administrative Officer; David F. r:omero, City
Engineer; J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Cleriz.
Also Present: Albert Cook, D,6hnager Commercial Department, San Francisco; J. Galen
Foster, ivanager of the Commercial Sales Department, Coast Valley Division,
' Salinas; I:.. B. '.-T11ldns, Sales Supervisor for Ean Luis Obispo and Santa Maria
districts; Harry Shoulet, Salinas; and Syl Culwell, 10anager of the San Luis
Obispo district; all from P. G. & E.; Leland Balatti, manager of the Pacific
Telephone and Telegraph Company; and Howard Newby, manager of the
.southern Counties Gas Cor.,pany.
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Councilman r.. L. Graves, Jr. opened the meeting by stating the City was interested in gain-
ing as much ormation as possible on underground wiring for all utilities in both the resi-
dential and comn-_ercial areas. This was particularly true in the downtown area because of
the plans for the Mission Plaza Project.
Mr. Al Coot: was introduced, who proceeded to give a summary of the problems involved in
converting to underground installations.
As far as the downtoi�rn area was concerned, his company was willing to do its part in bearing
the cost of going underground in future installations even though thc: underground was much
more expensive to install and maintain. However, it would be of considerable help to them if,:
the City would pass an ordinance requiring the gradual elimination of overhead services which
were, for the most part, on :ear lot easements. This would be especially true in cases where
major remodellings of commercial buildings were being undertaken. Mr. Cook pointed out,.
that as he understood the law, the basic cost of brin6ing a new servico from the sidewalk are:•, r
to the building and doing the necessary re- wiring within the building in accordance with the
most recent codes, would have to be an obligation of the property owner.
1 Even though the underground instailations x�ould have certain advantages as far as safety and
convenience of operation we re concerned, his company was not in a position to bear the
tremendous additional expense in maintaining duplicate facilities in front (underground) and in
back (overhead) .
He also pointed out that, during the past several months, his company had been malting many
underground installations for new construction with the general understanding that the City was
in sympathy with the underground concept and with the hope that the City would cooperate with
them in the future by adopting the enabling ordinance calling for the gradual elimination of all
overhead services. He had an up to date model ordinance which he would send to the
administrative officer.
As far as the residential areas were concerned, this was more a question of aesthetics, rather
than practicality, and for this reason, the subdivider would have to pay the difference between
an overhead wooden pole system and the underground. A streamline distribution system had
been developed for street lightin- and electrical service which would cost about $60 to $120
per lot additional cost to the subdivider over and above the basic cost to PG&E. If a complete
underground system were installed which could include room in the trench for telephone con-
duits and other utilities, the additional cost viould be about $300 to $4.00. A few years ago this
cost vans up around $8000 to y1,CCO, but as a result of improved methods, the cost has been cut
considerably.
After further discussion and a question and answer period the meeting was a ourned to
1 Monday evening, October 28, 1963 at 7 :Z0 P.A . in the City Council Chambers, on motion of
Councilman Graves, seconded -•y Councilman'Whelchel and carried.
Approved: October 28, 1963
�J. H. HIMPATRICK, CITY CLERK