Title
Hearing to consider adoption of Resolution 008-2014 to create an Underground Utility District as part of the Diamond Springs Parkway Project. (Est. Time: 5 Min.)
FUNDING: 2004 General Plan Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee Program (TIM), the Missouri Flat Master Circulation and Funding Plan (MC&FP), West Slope Impact Mitigation Fee Program (TIM), Local Tribe Funds, Electrical Rule 20A Underground Utility Funds (PG&E), Telecommunication Rule 32A.1 Tariff Funds (AT&T), and Underground District Reimbursement Funds from Comcast (No Federal Funds).
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$6,370,000.00 |
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Budget - Current FY
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Budget - Future FY
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$6,370,000.00 |
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New Funding
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Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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$6,370,000.00 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The total estimated cost for the Underground Utility District (District) is $6,370,000, of which $5,897,000 will be covered using PG&E, AT&T and Comcast tariff funds. The remaining $473,000 County share will be covered with TIM, MC&FP, and Local Tribe funds. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda Item.
Background
The Diamond Springs Parkway Project (Project) was initiated to improve traffic circulation, safety and operations through and around the historic town of Diamond Springs and has been in various stages of planning and design for more than 15 years. The Project consists of widening and realigning Diamond Road (State Route 49) and constructing a new connector from Diamond Road west to Missouri Flat Road.
On May 24, 2011, the Board approved the final Environmental Impact Report which included discussion of a potential District identified as part of the Project. On September 10, 2013 the Board directed Transportation Division (Division) staff to continue with the preliminary work and public outreach necessary for the establishment of a District.
Reason for Recommendation
The Project is included in the Division's 2013 Capital Improvement Program as adopted by the Board on June 24, 2013. The Project has been developed to mitigate existing traffic level of service deficiencies in Diamond Springs and has been identified in the General Plan as necessary to facilitate growth identified to occur over the next 20 years.
Currently, a number of overhead utility lines exist adjacent to Diamond Road and within the future alignment of Diamond Springs Parkway. These utility owners include Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Pacific Bell Telephone Company, dba AT&T California (AT&T), and Comcast Corporation (Comcast). In order to accommodate the Project improvements, these overhead utilities will require relocation. Division staff has concluded that relocating these utilities to alternate overhead locations will be a complex effort and require considerable tree and brush removal that would significantly impact the adjacent residential properties on Diamond Road. Overhead utility poles and guy wires can be considered roadside hazards, which the proposed District will eliminate. Due to the complexity of this effort, the utility companies, Caltrans, and Division staff have proposed the formation of a District within the limits of the Project. This is to avoid additional negative impacts to the adjacent residences, simplify construction sequencing operations, and improve the aesthetics of the Project area by eliminating the heavy concentration of overhead utility lines.
Funding for the design and construction of the District facilities is available from the Electric Rule 20 and Telecommunications Rule 32 tariff programs. These programs were established in 1967 by the California Public Utilities Commission so that privately owned utility companies would set aside a small portion of revenue into a fund available to be used exclusively for underground utility projects. As these funds accrue, the utility companies can contribute a proportionate share to projects within their service areas. Comcast does not have a tariff program for underground purposes; however, is responsible for its relocation costs as it is part of the District since the overhead poles currently being utilized will be removed.
Division staff has prepared preliminary estimates for the cost of the proposed District work, as well as the cost of relocating these utilities to alternate overhead locations. The total estimated District cost (including design, right of way acquisition, and construction work) is $6,370,000, of which $5,897,000 would be paid for using PG&E, AT&T, and Comcast tariff funds. The remaining balance of $473,000 is the County's share. Alternatively, Division staff has estimated the total cost of overhead relocations at $1,080,000, of which approximately $520,000 would be the County's share. Thus, the District relocation option results in a savings of approximately $47,000 specific to the County's share, as opposed to an overhead relocation option.
As of January 28, 2013, the account balance of the PG&E Rule 20A program available to El Dorado County is $14,212,193. The Division has received confirmation from PG&E that the Project is eligible to utilize Rule 20A program funds for the District, and PG&E has acknowledged notification of the proposed District. Division staff has since communicated with AT&T and Comcast representatives regarding the proposed District and their associated financial responsibilities.
Over the past four months, Division staff has progressed forward with activities necessary for formation of the District, including public outreach, preliminary design, and coordination with the utility companies. The Division has coordinated outreach efforts with the El Dorado/Diamond Springs Community Advisory Committee, as well as the Diamond Springs and El Dorado Area Mobility and Livable Community Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Additionally, all property owners affected by the proposed District were contacted via certified mail inviting them to attend a public meeting held November 19, 2013 in the El Dorado County Planning Commission Hearing Room. The meeting was attended by six members of the public and no opposition to the District was voiced during the meeting.
The District design and construction work will be completed in two phases, each which correspond to the roadway improvement projects. Phase 1A will be constructed in 2015 and Phase 1B/2 will be constructed in 2018. It is anticipated all utility relocation work as part of the District will be completed by 2020. The County will act as the lead trench agent and coordinate the design work with the utility companies involved. The County will obtain rights of entry from the property owners for the service connection work on private property and acquire a designated public utility easement for the joint trench adjacent to Diamond Road and along the proposed Diamond Springs Parkway. The proposed District will connect with an existing underground district on Missouri Flat Road.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the adopted Resolution.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward a copy of the executed Resolution to the Division for further processing.
3) The Division will forward a copy of the Resolution to the utility companies and notify all affected property owners within the District.
Contact
Bard R. Lower, Transportation Division Director
Community Development Agency
Concurrences
County Counsel