MEETING DATE: 7/23/2019
DEPARTMENT: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Harry Mavrogenes
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Scott Lines
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 105
SUBJECT:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY – H. MAVROGENES
Hold a Public Hearing at 9:00 a.m., or soon thereafter as the matter may be heard by the Board of Supervisors, and adopt a resolution establishing the Highway 156 Underground Utility District for the area 100 yards on either side of State Highway 156 between Union Rd. and Breen Rd.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 105
RESOLUTION NO: 2019-71
AGENDA SECTION:
PUBLIC HEARING - Top
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
In 1989 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized electric and telecommunication utilities to convert overhead utility lines and facilities to underground pursuant to Electric Rule 20A and Telecommunication Rule 32.
Pursuant to certain criteria, CPUC rules allow participating cities and counties to establish legislation authorizing the creation of underground utility districts within which existing overhead electric distribution and telecommunication distribution and service facilities will be converted to underground.
The Highway 156 Underground Utility District meets the criteria established by the rules of the CPUC, that:
1. such undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities; and
2. that 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; and
3. that the street or road or right-of-way adjoins or passes through an area of unusual scenic interest to the general public; and
4. that 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.
Since the establishment of this program in 1989 San Benito County has accumulated 3,621,276 Work Credits from PG&E for undergrounding of utilities. This amount of work credits equates to approximately 2/3 of a mile of overhead utilities that can be put underground. Thus, this project will be completed in phases over an extended period of time. PG&E estimates the first phase of the project could begin in 1.5-3 years.
If this resolution is not passed by July 25, 2019 then PG&E, through a ruling by the CPUC, will reallocate a minimum of .34% (12,469) of our work credits to another municipality due to the County's inactivity in the Rule 20A program over the past eight years.
BUDGETED:
Yes
SBC BUDGET LINE ITEM NUMBER:
CURRENT FY COST:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY – H. MAVROGENES
1. Hold a Public Hearing at 9:00 a.m., or soon thereafter as the matter may be heard by the Board of Supervisors, and
2. Adopt a resolution establishing the Highway 156 Underground Utility District for the area 100 yards on either side of State Highway 156 between Union Rd. and Breen Rd.
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL: