HomeMy WebLinkAbout01. Bellflower Blvd. UUD 22
AGENDA MEMO
DATE:
January 12, 2010
TO:
Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Office of the City Manager
By: Brian A. Ragland, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT:
UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ON BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD
FROM THE I-105 FREEWAY TO APPROXIMATELY 900 FEET NORTH OF
IMPERIAL HIGHWAY
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ESTABLISHING AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ALONG THE LENGTH OF
BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD FROM THE I-105 FREEWAY TO APPROXIMATELY 900
FEET NORTH OF IMPERIAL HIGHWAY AND CAUSING ALL SPECIFIED UTILITIES
THEREIN TO BE RELOCATED UNDERGROUND (DISTRICT NO. 22).
DISCUSSION:
On November 24, 2009, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 09-7169 declaring its
intention to establish Underground Utility District (UUD) No. 22, which includes
Bellflower Boulevard from the I-105 Freeway to approximately 900 feet north of Imperial
Highway, as a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20B project. In
accordance with the CPUC Rule 20B guidelines, Rule 20B projects are directly funded
by the applicant (City) and are subsidized by Southern California Edison (SCE) at an
amount equal to the cost of an equivalent overhead electrical system plus the cost of
removing the existing overhead electrical system.
While the City is preparing the design plans and acquiring the necessary right-of-way for
the Bellflower Boulevard and Imperial Highway Intersection Improvement Project, now
is the opportune time to initiate an underground utility district for the same. It is
important for the undergrounding effort to precede the roadway improvements in order
to avoid construction delays, as the SCE-owned power poles are in direct conflict with
the proposed roadway improvements.
In accordance with Rule 20B guidelines, the City is required to prepare an Engineer’s
Report, hold a public hearing, make specific findings, and adopt a resolution to create
an underground district. An Engineer's Report has been prepared. Notices of the
Public Hearing were sent to all affected utilities and property owners and an Affidavit of
th
Noticing is attached. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at
7:30 P.M., where information regarding the proposed Bellflower Boulevard Underground
Utility District will be available to interested residents and property owners. The
resolution establishing Underground Utility District No. 22 is also attached.
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Bellflower Boulevard – Underground Utility District
January 12, 2010
Page 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In accordance with the CPUC Rule 20B guidelines, rate funds are allowed to subsidize
the cost of the undergrounding. The subsidy includes an amount equal to the cost of an
equivalent overhead electrical system plus the cost of removing the existing overhead
system. The remaining cost shall be paid for by the City. Since Rule 20B guidelines only
apply to SCE, all other utilities agencies may be responsible for undergrounding their
facilities at their own expense based on negotiations to take place between the City and
the respective utility companies.
At this time, the City is presently seeking additional funding sources to cover the City’s
cost of undergrounding the overhead utilities within UUD No. 22. Based on a preliminary
estimate, the cost of undergrounding the utilities at this location is estimated at $1.3
million, with the City’s portion yet to be determined. A detailed estimate of cost is
included in the Engineers Report.
Attachments:
ResolutionBellflower UUD 22
Affidavit of Noticing
Resolution No. 09-7169
Proof of Publication
Engineers Report
S:\AgendaMemosCC2010\01-12-10\BellflowerUUD22
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ESTABLISHING AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ALONG THE LENGTH OF
BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD FROM THE I-105 FREEWAY TO APPROXIMATELY
900 FEET NORTH OF IMPERIAL HIGHWAY AND CAUSING ALL SPECIFIED
UTILITIES THEREIN TO BE RELOCATED UNDERGROUND (DISTRICT NO. 22).
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS
, a Public Hearing was held on November 24, 2009, by the City
Council of the City of Downey to determine whether the public necessity, health, safety
and welfare require the removal of poles, overhead lines, and associated overhead
structures along the length of Bellflower Boulevard from the I-105 Freeway to
approximately 900 feet north of Imperial Highway; and
WHEREAS,
notice of such hearing was given in the manner required by law; and
WHEREAS,
such hearing has been duly held on January 12, 2010, and all
persons interested were given an opportunity to be heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1
.That it hereby finds and determines that the public necessity, safety
and welfare require the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated structures and
the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electrical, telephone,
communication, or similar services in the City of Downey along the length of Bellflower
Boulevard from the I-105 Freeway to approximately 900 feet north of Imperial Highway
of the City for the following reasons:
) Bellflower Boulevard is a secondary arterial highway which is exclusively
(1
used by the general public and carries a high volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic;
and
) The City desires to widen the Bellflower Boulevard at Imperial Highway
(2
intersection in order to construct additional turn lanes at the intersection to
accommodate traffic volume growth and, as such, the undergrounding of the existing
overhead utilities along the aforementioned limits of Bellflower Boulevard is necessary
in order to complete the intersection improvement project; and
(3) Undergrounding will avoid and/or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration
of overhead distribution facilities; and
Undergrounding will improve the reliability of utility services by removing the
(4)
potential for loss of service due to wire separation and/or damage to supporting
structures as a result of traffic accidents, fire, earthquakes, winds, or other acts of God.
RESOLUTION NO. _____
PAGE TWO
The area within Underground Utility District No. 22 is further described in the Engineer's
Report on file in the office of the City Clerk, which by this reference is made a part
hereof.
SECTION 2.
Those poles, overhead wires and associated structures along the
length of Bellflower Boulevard from the I-105 Freeway to approximately 900 feet north
of Imperial Highway shall be removed and underground installations made within the
right-of-way and up to 100 feet beyond the right-of-way in Underground Utility District
No. 22 as follows:
All Southern California Edison Co. overhead distribution facilities as well as all
overhead facilities belonging to Verizon, Time Warner Cable, and other utility providers
within Underground Utility District No. 22 shall be removed no later than December 31,
2011 or prior to construction of roadway improvements, whichever occurs first.
Utility companies upon showing that they cannot comply with such limitations
may, upon approval of the City Council, request an extension of time as provided in
Section 7510 of the Downey Municipal Code.
SECTION 3.
Within ten (10) days after adoption of this Resolution, the City shall
mail a copy of the same and a copy of Chapter 5, Article VII, of the Downey Municipal
Code to affected property owners as such are shown on the last equalized assessment
roll and to the affected utilities.
SECTION 4.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS
_______ day of ____________, 2010.
_____________________________
ANNE M. BAYER, Mayor
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY
that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the _______ day of
_______________________, 2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council members:
.
.
.
11111 Brookshire Avenue
.
.
P.O. Box 7016
.
.
Downey, CA 90241-7016
.
.
.
City of Downey
Engineer’s Report
..........
Bellflower Boulevard
Underground Utility District #22
I-105Fwy to ~900’ N/O Imperial Highway
Prepared by:
Utility Resource Networks
For the City of Downey
August 31, 2009
ENGINEER’S REPORT
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES RULE 20B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.Summary.........................................................................................1
II.Background.....................................................................................1
III.Utility Coordination........................................................................1
IV.Private Property Impacts.................................................................3
V.Construction Cost Estimate............................................................4
VI.ConstructionSchedule....................................................................5
VII.Underground District Maps............................................................5
APPENDIX
Table 1 – Utility Agencies
Table 2 – List of Properties Impacted by Underground Utility
Rule 20B
Table 3 – Detailed Cost Estimate
i
Engineer’s Report
Underground Utilities Rule 20B Project Overview
I.SUMMARY
In May 2009 Utility Resource Networks (URN), was contracted by KFM Engineering on
behalf of the City of Downey to prepare exhibits and a cost estimate depicting what
would be required for the removal of poles, overhead lines, and associated overhead
structures on Bellflower Blvd. from the 105 Freeway, to approximately 900’ north of
Imperial Hwy. This work is associated as a Rule 20B project with the exception of CIAC
taxes and will be paid for by the City.
II.BACKGROUND
Bellflower Boulevard is a regional route extensively used by both residents and
commuters carrying a heavy volume of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic. One of the
main north/south corridors through Downey, Bellflower Boulevard is a signature
thoroughfare that is strongly identified with the City of Downey. Bellflower Boulevard is
currently burdened with an unusually heavy concentration of overhead facilities. Many
of the overhead utilities will have to be relocated as a result of the City’s
Bellflower/Imperial Intersection Widening Project which is currently in the design stage.
Undergrounding the overhead utilities will accommodate the widening project while
improving the overall appearance of the corridor by removing the overhead utility lines.
In addition to improving the City’s physical appearance by removing the visual blight
caused by these above-ground facilities, the undergrounding will decrease the heavy
concentration of obstacles within the public right-of-way subject to impact by vehicles.
Utility undergrounding will add to the free and safe movement of pedestrians outside of
the vehicular travel way. The undergrounding will also improve the reliability of the
utility services by removing the potential for loss of service due to wire separation and/or
damage to supporting structures as a result of traffic accidents, fire, earthquakes, winds,
storms or other acts of God.
III.UTILITY COORDINATION
There are numerous existing overhead utilities, all on wood poles along Bellflower
Boulevard, which will be undergrounded as part of the Rule 20B project. Per field
investigations by URN Staff, the following utility agencies are impacted by this Rule
20B: Southern California Edison Company (electrical distribution), Verizon (telephone)
and Time Warner Cable (telecommunications), formerly Comcast Cable and XO
Communications.
Each impacted utility will thoroughly survey and document their existing facilities and
prepare construction plans reflecting the proposed undergrounding of their facilities.
1
Through coordination with the City, the utility agencies will submit plans for City
review. Based on the City comments and on the terms set forth for the Rule 20B,
revisions to the plans may be required. Once the utility invoices and contracts are
executed and construction documents, plans and specifications are completed and
approved by the City, the impacted utility agency will apply for a City permit prior to the
start of construction. Furthermore, each utility agency will be responsible for bidding
their project for construction and executing the construction to meet the deadlines as set
in Section VI, Construction Schedule.
Based on field investigations and research of existing utilities the following are
approximate lengths of proposed underground facilities:
Utility Agency Approximate Length
SCE Distribution
2,145 linear feet
(Backbone)
SCE Distribution
2,436 linear feet
(Laterals)
Verizon
2,032 linear feet
(Backbone)
Verizon
1,332 linear feet
(Laterals)
XO Communications 1,535 linear feet
Time Warner Cable
2,940 linear feet
Fiber and COAX
Note: Utility Agencies will provide service laterals on private property,
these lengths are included in the table above.
After the undergrounding of facilities is complete and after each private property has
been reconnected, it is the responsibility of each utility to remove all overhead facilities.
Each utility will be responsible to remove their existing poles, overhead wires and
associated overhead structures within the Rule 20B boundary limits.
2
IV.PRIVATE PROPERTY IMPACTS
As a result of the required undergrounding of existing overhead facilities, a total of
fifteen properties will be affected by this Rule 20B project. Of those fifteen properties,
seven are residential properties and eight are commercial properties.
Table 2, attached in the Appendix, identifies all properties impacted by Rule 20B. The
property owners listed in Table 2 have not yet been notified of the proposed work to
establish this Rule 20B project.
Utility easements to underground existing overhead facilities may be required on private
property. In accordance with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20B
guidelines, the City will be responsible for obtaining any necessary easements on private
property at no additional cost to the private property owners.
The City has the option to provide necessary facility conversions from overhead to
underground utility connections utilizing existing structure attachments, without
converting the structure itself. The existing services to the commercial properties are
currently underground with the exception of 12757 and 12801 Bellflower Blvd. A
service riser pole will be placed in lieu of undergrounding these two buildings. There
will be no undergrounding of services to the existing residential houses with the
exception of new poles and risers in certain residential backyards.
3
V.CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATES
COST TO UTILITY:
This project shall be established as a Rule 20B project. Under Rule 20B of the CPUC,
rate funds may be used to subsidize the undergrounding project. The subsidy includes an
amount equal to the cost of an equivalent overhead electrical system, plus the cost of
removing the existing overhead electrical system. The remaining cost is to be paid by the
City of Downey.
Since Rule 20B only applies to SCE, the other utility agencies may be responsible to
replace all overhead facilities with underground facilities within the designated Rule 20B
boundary limits at their own expense based on negotiations with the City of Downey
A diagrammatic exhibit for the proposed Rule 20B project is provided as well as a
preliminary cost estimate based on the exhibit.
COST TO PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER
:
While the majority of the improvements will be done at no cost to affected private
property owners, utility easements may be required to underground utilities serving
private property – these are service laterals that connect private properties to the utility
system on Bellflower Boulevard. The utility agencies will contact and coordinate the
necessary easements directly with the private property owners.
4
VI.CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
At the direction of the City of Downey and once advance engineering fees are paid, each
utility agency will begin design for the underground construction. All the utility agencies
will submit construction documents to the City for review and approval. Removal of all
overhead facilities by the utility agencies will commence after the completion of all
underground connections.
The following is the proposed schedule for the completion of work associated with Rule
20b
Activity Completion Date
Underground substructure installation
TBD
by utility agencies
Underground cable completion and
TBD
activation by utility agencies
Underground conversion of private
TBD
property and all connections
Removal of all poles, overhead wires
and other associated overhead TBD
structures
VII.UNDERGROUND DISTRICT MAPS
Attached are maps illustrating the existing facilities within the Rule 20B limits which
shall be removed and replaced with an underground system.
5
APPENDIX
Table 1 – List of Utility Agencies
Table 2 – List of Properties Impacted by Rule 20B
Table 3 – Detailed Cost Estimate
Table 1
Utility Agencies
Utility Contact Person Address
Southern California Marquis Randolph 1924 Cashdan St.
EdisonCompton, CA 90220
Verizon Ernie Ybarra 12905 E. Los Nietos Rd.
Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
So Cal Gas Co. Kevin Quinn 701 N. Bullis Rd
Compton, CA 90221
Time Warner Gene Harrigan 14338 Lakewood Blvd,
CommunicationsBellflower, CA 90670
XOLee Arold 1924 Deere Avenue
CommunicationsSanta Ana, CA 92705
Table 2
List of Properties Impacted by Underground Rule 20B
Property
TypeAddress APN
Commercial 12351Bellflower Blvd
Commercial Park SiteBellflower Blvd
Commercial 9449Imperial Hwy Kaiser
Commercial SW CornerBellflower/Imperial Future McDonalds
Commercial 12741Bellflower Blvd
Commercial 12749Bellflower Blvd
Commercial 12757Bellflower Blvd
Commercial 12807Bellflower Blvd
Residential 9562Borson Street
Residential 9563Borson Street
Residential 9601Adoree
Residential 9602Adoree
Residential 9603Adoree
Residential 9603Borson Court
Residential 9603Cheddar
Total by Property Type
Residential 7
Commercial 8
Total15