Title
Facilities, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Easement Deed granting Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) a utility distribution easement on County-owned property identified as APN 101-330-081, located at Forebay Community Park, for the installation, maintenance, and operation of electric and communication facilities.
FUNDING: PG&E will pay the County for the grant of the easement.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
PG&E has requested an easement on County-owned property at Forebay Community Park (APN 101-330-081) located at 5581 Gail Dr. Pollock Pines, CA, to install, maintain, and operate underground and above ground electric and communication facilities necessary for the transmission and distribution of electric energy and related communication purposes. The easement area consists of a strip of land 10 feet wide (5 feet on each side of the alignment of the facilities) and a 20-foot by 20-foot parcel for equipment pads, as shown on Exhibit “A” attached to the Easement Deed.
Granting this easement will allow Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to improve electrical infrastructure and ensure reliable service to the surrounding community. The easement includes rights for ingress and egress, vegetation management, and installation of above ground communication facilities for remote monitoring and control of equipment. This project will allow for undergrounding of the power lines in this area which will reduce fire hazard risk and, overt time, reduce vegetation management needs.
Additionally, PG&E has agreed to pave Gail Drrive as part of the project scope and pay $2800 compensation for the easement as outlined in Exhibit B of agreement #9994. This will help mitigate the impacts of ongoing construction and would provide a long term benefit to the community that relies on Gail Drive.
This easement was presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 21, 2026 (Legistar file 25-1979). The Board requested that staff go back and renegotiate with PG&E to add some language around notifications for vegetation trimming outside the easement and removal of debris caused by PG&E vegetation removal. The Board asked for staff to return within 30 days with an update. Staff were unable to make the May 19th Board meeting due to delays in negotiations. Negotiations are complete and PG&E has agreed to provide at least 14 days advance notice of any planned removal or trimming of vegetation outside the easement area. In addition PG&E has agreed to perform full and complete removal of all vegetation resulting from hazard-related work, including wood, debris, and stump removal. PG&E also agreed to remove an old stack of wood near the baseball field and the wood from the more recently cut oak tree along Gail Drive. These terms have been included in Exhibit B - Key Terms and incorporated into Agreement 9994.
Staff performed additional site walks with PG&E over the easement area and has confirmed that PG&E does not need to remove any trees for this project. PG&E will be removing some limbs from existing trees and will remove any debris caused by the removal.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could deny the request, which would prevent PG&E from installing the necessary facilities and may impact electrical service reliability in the area.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
PG&E has coordinated with the Chief Administrative Office and County Counsel regarding the easement terms.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the County for granting this easement. PG&E will bear all costs associated with installation and maintenance of its facilities as well as pay compensation of $2,800 for the grant of easement and pave a portion of Gail Drive.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on the Easement Deed -Notarized, for the PG&E Easement and send to Ross Garner in Procurement and Contracts to process.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
CONTACT
Laura Schwartz, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer