Title
HEARING - Department of Transportation recommending the Board consider the following regarding the formation of the Shingle Springs Underground Utility District:
1) Conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of Resolution 172-2019 to form the Shingle Springs Underground Utility District;
2) Direct the Director of Transportation, or designee, to sign all Pacific Gas & Electric Company application documents necessary to initiate work under the Rule 20A Program upon the identification of a specific overhead to underground conversion project within the Underground Utility District; and
3) Direct the Director of Transportation, or designee, to sign all related notices to Pacific Bell Telephone Company dba AT&T California upon identification of a specific overhead to underground conversion project within the Underground Utility District. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Rule 20A Tariff Program Funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Overhead utility poles and guy wires can be considered roadside hazards; an Underground Utility District (UUD) can help eliminate these risks. Due to the considerable community input and the benefit to this area, the Department of Transportation (Transportation) staff recommends the Board consider this UUD to further improve the aesthetics of the Shingle Springs community by eliminating the existing heavy concentration of utility poles and overhead lines along primary transportation routes. In accordance with Section 12.36.020 of the El Dorado County Ordinance, a UUD can be established by public hearing of the Board.
On May 8, 2018, Item 52, Legistar 18-0568, the Board directed Transportation staff to begin preliminary work and public outreach necessary to establish this UUD. Currently, a number of overhead utility lines exist adjacent to South Shingle Road, Ponderosa Road, North Shingle Road, Wild Chaparral Drive, and Sunset Lane within the UUD area. These utility owners include PG&E, AT&T and Comcast. These utility lines will be required to relocate underground with any future County, Caltrans, or private improvement project requiring utility relocations. The distribution lines in the area can be placed underground; however, the transmission lines cannot. The U.S. 50/Ponderosa Road/South Shingle Road Interchange Improvements Project is a potential project that will be required to underground utilities as part of its construction phase. At that time, Transportation will work with the utility companies to ensure the estimates of costs for undergrounding, including time required to complete the underground installation and removal of the overhead facilities, is communicated efficiently.
Funding for the Design and Construction Phases of UUD facilities are available from the Rule 20A Tariff Program (Rule 20A), which is managed by PG&E. This program was established in 1967 by the California Public Utilities Commission, so that privately-owned utility companies would set aside a small portion of billings into a fund available to be used for UUD projects. As these funds accrue, the various cities and counties within PG&E’s service area are allocated a proportional amount of funds. A similar Rule 32A.1 Tariff Program (Rule 32A.1) exists for AT&T facilities. Transportation staff has received confirmation from PG&E that the UUD is eligible to utilize Rule 20A program funds. Transportation staff has also communicated with AT&T representatives regarding the proposed UUD and their associated financial responsibilities with the Rule 32A Program. The utility agencies shall provide installation of a maximum of one-hundred (100) feet of individual electric service trenching and conductor, as well as conduit, backfill, and paving if required. There may be exceptions to this one-hundred (100) foot rule and will be evaluated for each parcel based upon site conditions, existing infrastructure, and design requirements when coordinating with the utility agencies.
Transportation staff has progressed forward with activities necessary for formation of the UUD, including public outreach and coordination with the utility companies. Additionally, all property owners affected by the proposed UUD were contacted via mail inviting them to attend this Hearing.
ALTERNATIVES
Cancel the formation of the UUD.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background section.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the item. Financial obligation will occur when a Transportation project is identified within the UUD that requires utility relocations.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the adopted Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board will forward a copy of the executed Resolution to Transportation, Fairlane Engineering, attention Matt Smeltzer.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation