REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 18, 2014
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
BY: JIM POLSGROVE, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Amend Resolution Nos. 2007-118 and 2007-318 providing time extensions relating to Underground Utility Districts (UUD) Numbers 69 and 84 (Council Districts 1, 3 and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt the attached Resolution amending Resolution Nos. 2007-118 and 2007-318.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 27, 2007, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2007-118, which formed UUD No. FRE-69 (FRE-69), which is generally located on Ventura Avenue between "H" Street and State Route 99. On September 25, 2007, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2007-318, which formed UUD No. FRE-84 (FRE-84), which is generally located on Blackstone Avenue from Shields Avenue to Belmont Avenue. At the time of the formation of FRE-69 and FRE-84, funding for the modification of City facilities such as street lights and traffic signals had been identified as being available through the Fresno Redevelopment Agency (RDA). Because the RDA no longer exists, the funds are not available to make necessary improvements at this time. The proposed time extension will set the new pole removal date at July 1, 2019, to allow time to secure funding for modification of City facilities currently served by overhead electrical facilities.
BACKGROUND
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20A requires that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) allocate funds for the underground placement of existing overhead electrical facilities. These funds accrue to PG&E from all rate payers as part of their monthly bill, and are strictly reserved to underground overhead facilities in approved UUDs. Specific UUDs are formed by City Council action at noticed public hearings using criteria established by CPUC Rule 20A:
1. Such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities;
2. 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;
3. The street or road or 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;
4. The street or road or right-of-way is considered an arterial street or major collector as defined in the Governor's Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines.
Underground installation of PG&E overhead electrical facilities are funded by funds set aside pursuant to the CPUC Rule 20A. Rule 20A specifically identifies funding for undergrounding existing overhead utilities only. The other utility companies provide the funding to convert their existing overhead facilities to underground.
The formation of the UUD requires utility companies to convert their existing overhead facilities to underground service. The formation of the UUD also requires affected property owners to modify their existing overhead services to accept utility service from the underground facilities.
On March 27, 2007, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2007-118, which formed UUD No. FRE-69. FRE-69 is generally located on Ventura Avenue between "H" Street and State Route 99 as shown on Exhibit "A" of the attached Resolution No. 2007-118.
On September 25, 2007, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2007-318, which formed UUD No. FRE-84. FRE-84 is generally located on Blackstone Avenue from Shields Avenue to Belmont Street as shown on Exhibit "A" of the attached Resolution No. 2007-318.
At the time of the formation of FRE-69 and FRE-84, funding for the modification of City facilities had been identified as being available through the RDA. These modifications are for street lights, traffic signals and any other City facilities currently being served by the existing overhead system. Because the RDA no longer exists, the funds are not available to make necessary improvements.
Amending Resolutions 2007-118 and 2007-318 will provide time extensions for the City to identify necessary funding sources for the modification of City facilities.
This Resolution has been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a "project" and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A - Local preference does not affect the outcome of this Council item.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no impact to the City's General Fund.
Attachments: Resolution No. 2007-118 (rescinding)
Resolution No. 2007-318 (rescinding)
Resolution