City Council Agenda
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Memo to: |
Manteca City Council |
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From: |
Kevin Jorgensen II, Director of Engineering/City Engineer |
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Prepared by: |
Alfredo Mijango, Associate Engineer; Somporn Boonsalat, Deputy Director of Engineering |
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Date: |
December 17, 2024 |
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Subject: |
Hold a Public Hearing, Establishing an Underground Utility District for Airport Way Pavement Improvements (Wawona to Waterfall) Capital Improvement Program Project (CIP 11027) |
Recommendation:
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Conduct a Public Hearing and adopt a resolution establishing an Underground Utility District for Airport Way between Wawona Street and approximately 300 feet south of Waterfall Way; authorizing the use of Rule 20A work credit allocation funding; and authorizing the City Manager or designee to take all appropriate actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Background:
Rule 20 is the tariff that governs utility undergrounding of overhead wires. Since 1967, underground conversions in the State of California have been performed under California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Rule 20 which has three parts: A, B, and C. Under Part A, undergrounding in the City of Manteca (City) is paid for and performed by the local electric utility, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Through a program called Rule 20A, PG&E is required to annually set aside funds for financing the undergrounding of overhead distribution facilities located on public streets and roads. Each year the City is notified by PG&E regarding the allocation of work credits for conversion of overhead electric distribution lines and facilities to underground, known as Rule 20A allocations. Telephone and cable utilities pay through their own undergrounding budget.
The purpose of undergrounding the utilities is to improve aesthetics and remove exposure of the utilities to the uncertainty of weather or vehicle collisions. Parts B and C provide for undergrounding funded through entities other than PG&E ratepayers, such as governmental agencies or private entities through maintenance assessment districts.
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 City Council shall determine after hearing all comments on the subject that the proposed Underground Utility District (UUD) needs to be created in the general public interest for one or more of the following reasons:
1. Undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities;
2. The street, road, or right-of-way is extensively used by the general public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
3. Wheelchair access is limited or impeded in a manner that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
4. The street, road, or right-of-way adjoins or passes through a civic area or public recreation area or an area of significant scenic, cultural, and/or historic interest to the general public; or
5. The street, road, or right-of-way is considered an arterial street or major collector as defined by the California Department of Transportation’s California Road System functional classification system.
The proposed UUD includes all properties fronting approximately 4,300 feet of Airport Way between Wawona Street and approximately 300 feet south of Waterfall Way (Attachment 2). PG&E has indicated that this work does not negatively impact any property owners. Shortly after the receipt of the City’s Resolution to establish the undergrounding district, PG&E will begin the project design, followed by conversion work, removal of poles, and installation of underground utilities along a new Airport Way alignment. Once the UUD is established, the City would be able to work with PG&E to utilize Rule 20A funding for the utilities undergrounding work. Per PG&E Manteca has approximately $4.6 M in Rule 20A Work Credits.
Per CPUC Decision (D.) 23-06-008, all work credits will expire at the end of 2033. To ensure that Rule 20A Work Credits are maximized the following schedule must be adhered to:
- UUD established early 2025
- Design Completion by end of 2025
- Right of Way acquisition by end of 2026
- PG&E commences undergrounding work 2027
- PG&E expends all credits by end of 2033
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this action.
Documents Attached:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Exhibit “A” to the Resolution: Area Map
Attachment 3 - Public Hearing Notice
Attachment 4 - Rule 20A General Terms and Conditions Agreement