HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2000 0301 CC REG ITEM 09AAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF MOORPARK
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CITY !D 1�I00RP-A-RK, CAJLIFORIVIA
City Council Meeting
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ACTION: hDDYI) 5t4
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BY:
TO: Honorable City Council AA pv\
FROM: Mike Mathews, Senior Management Analyst UV\
Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works""
DATE: January 16, 2000 (CC Meeting of 03/01/2000)
SUBJECT: CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2000- ESTABLISHING
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES DISTRICT 2000 -1 FOR THE PURPOSE
OF REMOVING ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION LINES AND OTHER
OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES FROM CERTAIN UTILITY POLES
ALONG LOS ANGELES AVENUE
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This report recommends formation of Underground Utilities
District No. 2000 -1 (hereinafter called District) to underground
certain overhead utility lines along Los Angeles Avenue between
Gabbert Road and Millard Street.
BACKGROUND
A history of the City's past actions to form an Underground
Utilities District, a definition of terms, a description of the
funding sources, and many of the options available are set forth
as Exhibit 2 and Exhibit 3 to this report.
On February 2, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution No.
2000 -1693 setting March 1, 2000 as the date of a Public Hearing
to consider formation of a District for the undergrounding of
electric distribution lines and associated structures, cable
television lines, and telephone lines. At that meeting the City
Council also asked that the Public Works, Facilities and Solid
Waste Committee (Councilmembers Evans and Wozniak) meet with
0 000(1 1
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
February 16, 2000
Page 2
representatives of the Southern California Edison Company to
explore the possibilities for undergrounding electric
transmission lines.
DISCUSSION
A. Municipal Code Requirements
The requirements of the Moorpark Municipal Code relating to the
formation of an Underground Utilities District include the
following:
1. Convening a public hearing at which all interested parties
shall be heard. Each affected property owner will be given at
least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
2. Mailing of a public notice to all affected residents and
property owners.
3. Preparation of a report describing the District, the
undergrounding construction time frame, and the associated
costs.
4. Preparation of a resolution forming the District.
5. The making of at least one of the following findings: 1)
Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy
concentration of overhead electric facilities; 2) The street or
road right -of -way is extensively used by the general public and
carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or 3)
The street or road right -of -way adjoins or passes through a
civic area or public recreation area or an area of unusual
scenic interest to the general public.
6. Subsequent to District formation, mailing of a notice
within ten (10) days to all affected utilities and property
owners.
B. Status of Transmission Lines
On February 22, the Public Works, Facilities, and Solid Waste
Committee met with Southern California Edison representatives to
discuss the options for undergrounding electric transmission
lines. There was discussion of the scheduling and cost of a
Sta`.fReperts /UUD5
000002
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
February 16, 2000
Page 3
future project to underground the transmission lines and remove
the poles between Millard Street and Shasta Avenue.
The cost to underground the 4500 feet of transmission lines is
estimated to be about $2.2 million dollars. Work on this phase
could begin after the distribution lines are undergrounded, and
finish around February, 2001.
C. Findings
In the resolution forming the District, the following findings
are made: 1) Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an
unusually heavy concentration of overhead electrical facilities;
2) The street right -of -way is extensively used by the general
public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian and vehicular
traffic; and 3) The street right -of -way passes through a civic
area.
D. Scope of District
The boundaries of the District will include that portion of Los
Angeles Avenue from Gabbert Road to Millard Street, extending
twenty (20) feet beyond each intersection; and extending twenty
(20) feet north and south of the street right -of -way. A map of
the area is attached as an exhibit to the resolution.
E. Timin
The City Council directed staff to
construction time and traffic impacts t
SCE representatives, the construction
two and one -half months to complete,
(150) feet of trenching being the
construction process will fill in
completed work so as to minimize the 1
would interfere with traffic along
construction will take place near the
center of the street clear for traffic.
night was discussed, but the added co:
due to the limited amount of funds
proceeds.
seek ways minimize the
D residents. According to
will take approximately
with one hundred -fifty
foal for each day. The
the trench behind the
!ngth of open trench that
the street. Also, the
north curb, leaving the
The option of working at
t was deemed prohibitive
available from Rule 20A
At the February 16, 2000, City Council meeting, Calleguas
Municipal Water District presented plans for their Las Posas
Stat`Reports /DUDS
000003
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
February 16, 2000
Page 4
Feeder No. 3 Water Main. Efforts will be made to coordinate the
undergrounding project with the water line project.
F rnct-
Source
Estimated
Cost
SCE Pole Replacement Funds $ 740,000
City's Rule 20A Accruals $ 820,000
TOTAL $1,560,000
Residents and property owners within the proposed District will
not be assessed any of the costs of undergrounding the utility
lines. These costs will be borne by the undergrounding project.
No City or MRA funds will be used to extend the eastern boundary
of the project from Flory Avenue to Millard Street. This funding
will come from the City's Rule 20A funds.
G. Notification
Notices were sent to all residents and utilities scheduled for
inclusion in the District. Notices will again be required within
ten days after adoption of a resolution forming the District.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Approve Resolution 2000- establishing Underground
Utilities District No. 2000 -1.
2. Direct the City Clerk to notify the owners of the
properties within the proposed boundaries of the District
of the purpose and requirements of the District in
accordance with the requirements of Section 12.20.080 of
the Moorpark Municipal Code.
Attachments:
Exhibit 1: Resolution 2000 -
Exhibit 2: 2/2/2000 Staff Report
Exhibit 3: History and Definitions
S- a-fReocrts /UUDS 000004
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING UNDERGROUND
UTILITY DISTRICT 2000 -1 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
REMOVING ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION LINES AND OTHER
OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES FROM CERTAIN UTILITY POLES
ALONG LOS ANGELES AVENUE
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 187 added Chapter 12.20,
Underground Utilities" to the Moorpark Municipal Code and
established procedures for the creation of underground
utility districts; and
WHEREAS, it has been recommended that such an
underground utility district be formed as Underground
Utility District No. 2000 -1 as indicated on the attached
map.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOORPARK HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The following findings are made regarding
the undergrounding of utility lines:
a. Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an
unusually heavy concentration of overhead
electrical facilities.
b. The street right -of -way is extensively used by
the general public and carries a heavy volume
of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
c. The street right -of -way passes through a civic
area.
SECTION 2. Underground Utility District 2000 -1
(hereinafter called District) is hereby formed under the
authority of Chapter 12.20 of the Moorpark Municipal Code.
The boundaries will include that portion of Los Angeles
Avenue from Gabbert Road to Millard Street, extending
twenty (20) feet beyond each intersection; and extending
00000s
Resos /'jUD5reso
Resolution 2000 -
February 16, 2000
Page 2
twenty (20) feet north and south of the street right -of-
way.
SECTION 3. The public necessity, health, safety, or
welfare requires the removal of overhead electrical
distribution wires, and associated overhead structures; and
the underground installation of wires and facilities for
electric distribution, communication, or similar associated
service in the District hereinabove described. Per
Moorpark Municipal Code Section 12.20.190 B., the electric
transmission wires will be the only wires allowed to remain
on the poles.
SECTION 4. Southern California Edison will utilize
the current balance of the City's Rule 20A accrual of
$644,000, plus future accruals as may be determined by
mutual agreement to accomplish the stated objectives of the
District.
SECTION 5. The owners of real property within the
District shall not be responsible for the cost of
constructing underground utility service connections. Such
costs shall be funded by the undergrounding project.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall notify all affected
utilities and property owners (as shown on the last
equalized assessment roll) within ten (10) days after the
effective date of this resolution of the purpose and
requirements of this District.
SECTION 7. The area proposed to be included in the
District is shown upon that certain map entitled "Exhibit
A" which is attached to this resolution and is on file with
the City Clerk of the City of Moorpark.
SECTION 8. All service connections and all work
specified by the District shall be completed before January
1, 2002.
SECTION 9. The City Clerk shall certify to the
adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified
resolution to be filed in the book of original Resolutions.
000606
Resos /UU M -reso
Resolution 2000 -
February 16, 2000
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of March, 2000.
Patrick Hunter, Mayor
ATTEST:
Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk
Attachment: "Exhibit A", map of proposed Underground
Utilities District 2000 -1
Resos /U,;D5 -reso 00000 ' i
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a
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 1
EXCERPTS FROM THE FEBRUARY 2, 2000, STAFF REPORT
A. Background
A brief discussion of regulations and procedures
pertaining to the "undergrounding" of utilities is set
forth in Exhibit 3.
B. Rule 20A
The City of Moorpark began to accrue Rule 20A credit in
1984. The balance through Calendar Year 2000 is $644,000.
At January 1, 2001, the City will receive credit for
another $58,000, providing a working balance of $702,000.
C. Prior Action
The City Council previously identified that portion of
Los Angeles Avenue between Moorpark Avenue and Shasta
Avenue as the primary candidate area to have the overhead
utilities placed underground. Insufficient Rule 20A
accruals were available at that time to proceed with a
full undergrounding project. The Southern California
Edison Company (SCE) stated that they would make attempts
to seek approval of an advance of future Rule 20A
accruals to allow the City's undergrounding project to
proceed.
D. Pendina Edison Protect
Recently staff reinitiated efforts to seek SCE approval
of the additional funding required to proceed with an
undergrounding project. In the course of those
discussions, SCE advised staff of a planned upgrade to
the their power lines along Los Angeles Avenue. Due to
increased power demand, SCE needs to add more
distribution lines. The 90 -foot poles now in place are
not large enough to handle the wind loading of the extra
lines required to be added. Therefore, SCE was planning
to replace the existing poles with larger poles to carry
the existing and proposed new power distribution lines.
The limits of that project extend from Flory Avenue to
Gabbert Road. SCE funding constraints require them to
Sta_fRepor.ts /UUD5- xh1-*bit2
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 2
spend the monies allocated for this project before the
end of the year.
E. Alternate: Underground Distribution Svstem
An alternative to the replacement of the poles would be
to apply the monies set aside by SCE for that project
toward a project designed to underground all of the
distribution lines within the limits of their planned
project [Flory Avenue to Gabbert Road]. Under this plan a
portion of the City's Rule 20A accruals would be combined
with the SCE monies set aside for the pole replacement
project to fund the undergrounding of all of the
distribution lines within the above described "target"
area.
F. Extension to Millard Street
It is recommended that the project area proposed by SCE
be expanded easterly to a point just west of Millard
Street. Staff is working with SCE on the approval of the
inclusion of this area to be funded by current and /or
future Rule 20A monies estimated to be approximately
$160,000. If this funding is not feasible, it is the
intent of staff to recommend that this added effort be
funded by the City and /or the Moorpark Redevelopment
Agency.
G. District Formation
In order to use the Rule 20A accruals for this project
and require all other utilities to underground their
facilities, it will be necessary to form an Underground
Utility District covering the entire project area -- from
Millard Avenue to Gabbert Road [see map attached as
Exhibit A to the Resolution]. The purpose of this report
is to initiate the process necessary to effect that
formation.
H. Transmission Lines Exempt
The Underground Utility District recommended to be
established would require the undergrounding of all
overhead utility lines except transmission lines. Not
only would all of the overhead electrical distribution
lines be required to be removed, but all telephone lines,
StaffRcportS /U D5- Exnibit2
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 3
cable television lines, fiber optic lines and
communication lines owned by SCE or any other utility
would also have to be placed underground. In addition,
all facilities attendant to the SCE power distribution
system (aerial service drops, pole mounted transformers,
guy poles and anchors required for the distribution
lines, etc.) would also have to be removed. Photos of the
before and after condition are attached as Exhibit 2.
I. Project Benefits
A
summary of the project benefits are
summarized as
follows:
SCE (a)
•
Prevents even larger utility poles
from being
installed along Los Angeles Avenue.
•
Removes most of the wires from the poles leaving only
transmission lines grouped at the top
of the poles
$0
(see Exhibit 2).
$660,000
•
Removes all overhead lines crossing Los
Angeles Avenue
$740,000
in the project area.
$740,000
•
Removes all pole mounted transformers.
Rule 20A Accruals Remaining
•
Expands the area of distribution system
undergrounding
Future Transmission Line Undergrounding
from what was previously anticipated
(approximately
3,000 feet to approximately 6,000 feet).
•
Establishing an underground district
prevents any
$740,000
further overhead lines from being installed on the
$2,195,000
poles.
J. Project Cost Allocation
An estimate of the allocation of costs for this project
is as follows: [see note (g)]
StaffReports /UUD5- Exhib_t2 000011
Moorpark
SCE (a)
Rule 20A
Total
Rule 20A Funds - to date
$702,000
Project 2000 (b)
Area 41 (c)
$0
$660,000
$660,000
Area #2 (d)
$740,000
$0
$740,000
Total Project 2000
$740,000
$660,000
$1,400,000
Rule 20A Accruals Remaining
$42,000
Future Transmission Line Undergrounding
In Area #1 Only (c)
$795,000
$795,000
Total Cost
$740,000
$1,455,000
$2,195,000
Funding Shortfall ( f )
$(753,000)
StaffReports /UUD5- Exhib_t2 000011
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 4
Notes
a: Monies earmarked for pole replacement project
b: Underground all lines except transmission lines
c: Moorpark Avenue to Shasta
d: Flory to Moorpark plus Shasta to Gabbert
e: Underground Transmission lines from Moorpark to Shasta
f: To be funded by future Rule 20A accruals and /or other sources
g: These costs do not include cost to extend project easterly to
Millard
K. Unit Cost Estimates
Based on the above cost figures provided to the City by
SCE, the estimated cost per linear foot to underground
overhead facilities is summarized as follows:
Description $ / LF
a. Distribution System $233
b. Transmission Lines $282
L. Street Liahts
Since the electrical Distribution System is to be removed
from the poles within the District, the project will
include, at no added cost to the City, the removal of all
of the street lights mounted on the wooden poles and the
installation of new street lights on "marblite" poles.
Staff will provide SCE with a plan of where the new
street lights are to be placed.
M. Other Overhead facilities
The formation of the Underground Utility District will
require all other utilities to remove their facilities
from the poles. Owners of any telephone, cable
television, fiber optic or other facilities will be
required to work with SCE on the undergrounding of their
facilities.
N. Service Conversions
Due to their need to upgrade the distribution lines, SCE
will pay to reconnect commercial and residential
customers to the new underground lines. While the
utility poles along Los Angeles Avenue will be removed,
there may be some poles set back from the street used to
continue utility service to homes. If the City were
StaffReports /UUD5- _xh -bit2 000012
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 5
planning this project without SCE participation, services
along Los Angeles Avenue would be undergrounded at City
cost.
O. Project Phasing
As presently envisioned, the proposed project would
implement the first phase of the original plan to
underground all of the utilities on Los Angeles Avenue
between Moorpark Avenue and Shasta Avenue. The phasing of
this work would be compatible with the need to construct
two separate undergrounding projects: one for
Distribution System and one for the Transmission lines.
Because of their high voltage, transmission lines must be
placed in a separate trench at least ten feet (10') away
from all other lines. It is likely that the design for
the undergrounding of the Transmission lines will place
those conduits on the opposite side of the street from
the location of the underground distribution system.
When additional Rule 20A accruals become available, it is
the intent of staff to pursue the establishment of a
second Underground District for the purpose of
undergrounding the Transmission lines and the removal of
the poles within the original project area: Moorpark
Avenue to Shasta Avenue. Projecting into the future, the
planning phase of undergrounding the transmission lines
could begin as early as mid 2003. Construction might
begin in 2004, with a projected completion date of 2005.
Funding for the project would come from the accumulated
Rule 20A funds, plus additional Rule 20A funds mortgaged
from a year or two in the future. The current cost
estimate for undergrounding the transmission lines
between Shasta Avenue and Flory Avenue is $795,000.
P. Options
Option #1: Approve the project as described, with the
undergrounding of the electric distribution lines, phone
lines, cable lines, and all attendant facilities between
Gabbert Road and Millard Street using $660,000 of Rule
20A credits. [The cost does not include the additional
$160,000 to extend the project to Millard.] This option
would leave only the power transmission lines on the
poles.
S-a'_fRepo_ts /UUJ5- Exhibit2 0 0th () I- ki
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 2
Page 6
Option #2: Undertake all of the work identified Option
#l, plus undertake the undergrounding of the transmission
lines and the removal of the poles between Shasta Avenue
and Moorpark Avenue with funding to come from sources
other than Rule 20A accruals.
Option #3: Abandon efforts to implement an undergrounding
project at this time and direct SCE to proceed with their
original plan to replace the poles from Gabbert Road to
Flory Avenue with larger poles, and add more distribution
lines to those poles as required.
Q. Summary
The implementation of Option #1 would be an important
first step toward the ultimate objective of removing all
of the overhead utilities and supporting poles on Los
Angeles Avenue between Moorpark Avenue and Shasta Avenue.
Although implementing the project at this time and in the
form recommended will not accomplish the ultimate goal,
taking advantage of the SCE pole replacement monies will
facilitate undergrounding efforts which will not be
charged to the City's Rule 20A accruals.
000014
St.affReports /UU75- 'xh:bit2
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 3
Page 1
The following is a brief summary of the rules and regulations
pertaining to the establishment of Underground Utility
Districts, as well as a brief discussion of prior City actions
toward implementing an Underground project.
1. Authority: A 1968 ruling by the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) set aside a portion of annual electrical
utility receipts for the purpose of undergrounding overhead
utility lines. These funds are governed by PUC Rule 20A.
2. Rule 20A: The 1968 ruling setting aside the electrical
utility receipts is called "Rule 20A." Funds began to be
credited to California public agencies in 1984. Through the
year 2000, the City of Moorpark has approximately $644,000
available for use. These funds do not accrue interest, nor
are they forwarded to the City. Instead, the amount of the
annual credit is reported to the City each year. Whenever
Moorpark elects to use its Rule 20A funds, Southern
California Edison (SCE) will use its technical support staff
to design and implement the projects.
Excerpt from Rule 20A:
Rule 20A funds can be used for any project, which is
at least 600 feet in length and found to meet one or
more of the following criteria:
a. Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an
unusually heavy concentration of overhead
electric facilities.
b. The street or road or right -of -way is
extensively used by the general public and
carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or
vehicular traffic.
c.' The street is through a civic area or is a
scenic route.
3. Utility Pole Terminology: An overhead utility pole may carry
many types of wires at the same time:
a. "Electric transmission" lines are the main trunk lines
that carry 66,000 volts (66kv) along the main corridors of
StafEReports /W D5- Exhibit3 () 0 0 () JA 6
A
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 3
Page 2
the City. Because of the very high voltage, the wires
must be carried on 90 -foot tall utility poles. Poles of
this type are seen along the north side of Los Angeles
Avenue.
b. "Electric distribution" lines carry lower voltages
(typically 16,000 volts) throughout the city. As the
electrical lines get closer to an individual home or
business, transformers step the voltage down to the needed
level. These poles are seen in back yards and along
streets throughout the City of Moorpark.
c. "Telephone" lines and "cable television" lines may be
carried on poles that also carry transmission or
distribution lines.
d. "Line Separation" is required due to the fact that the
poles typically carry a combination of all four utility
lines. This is attained by using ninety foot tall poles
because the electric lines carrying different voltages
must be separated by at least ten feet.
3. Prior Actions: As early as 1990 the City began to identify
qualified areas within the City eligible for a Rule 20A
undergrounding project. That effort led to the identification
of that portion of Los Angeles Avenue between Moorpark Avenue
and Shasta Avenue as the areas to be designated to receive
the first Rule 20A Undergrounding project. Efforts to
implement that project were stalled due to insufficient
accruals to undertake the project.
Staff Reports /U,;D5- Exnib_t3
Underground Utilities District 2000 -1
Exhibit 3
Page 3
Source
1. SCE Pole Replacement Funds
2. City's Rule 20A Accruals
3. Cost to Other Utilities
4. Cost to City
Total
Est. Cost ($)
$740,000
$660,000
Undet.
0
$1,400,000
SLaff.Roports /;;UDS- Exhibit3 Q( 001, -e