TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, find that it is in the public interest to underground utility lines along Alamitos Avenue between Seventh Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and adopt resolution establishing Underground Utility District No. 41. (Districts 1,6)
DISCUSSION
Alamitos Avenue from Seventh Street to Pacific Coast Highway is classified as a regional corridor and has a heavy concentration of overhead utility lines. City Staff, with the assistance of Southern California Edison (SCE), gave a high priority to undergrounding utilities along this street section due to the high degree of visual streetscape enhancement that could be achieved. In order for SCE to begin planning this project, the City must first establish it as an underground utility district, to be known as Underground Utility District No. 41. A map showing the district is attached as
Exhibit A.
The section of Alamitos Avenue to the south between Seventh Street and Ocean Boulevard has already been undergrounded as a part of Underground Utility District No. 39 (along with Seventh Street). By undergrounding the utilities north of Seventh Street, this streetscape enhancement would be continued northerly connecting to the previously undergrounded utilities along Pacific Coast Highway. Elimination of the utility poles will enhance ADA rule compliance on this street where narrow sidewalks are very common and pedestrian traffic is very high. Alamitos Avenue merges with Orange Avenue north of Seventeenth Street; this area may be included in the district at the discretion of SCE.
On September 6, 2006, the City Council adopted Resolution No. RES-06-01 00, declaring its intention to establish the underground utility District 41, and set October 10, 2006, as the date for the public hearing. A copy of the September 6, 2006, City Council letter is attached as Exhibit B. Notice of the October 10th hearing was mailed to all of the owners and residents along the subject portion of Alamitos Avenue on September 27,2006. This matter was reviewed by Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on August 24,2006, and Deputy City Attorney Lisa Peskay Malmsten on October 3,2006. The public hearing and City Council action to create this underground utility district was continued to October 17, 2006, in order to correct an error in the public record of this project description.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to create the underground utility district is requested on October 17, 2006, so that SCE can begin project planning. SCE estimates that the undergrounding process will take up to three years from the date the District is formally adopted by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of this project to be funded by SCE, with rate reimbursements under Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A allocations, is $6,800,000. The City may incur some minor costs (approximately $20,000) for construction of underground electrical feeds to the City-owned street lighting system. These costs will not formally be known until final plans have been developed for the project. Such funds, if needed, will come from those budgeted in the General Fund (GP) in the Department of Public Works (PW) for street light maintenance.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ESTABLISHING AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ON ALAMITOS AVENUE FROM FOURTH STREETTO SEVENTH STREET
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTINE F. ANDERSEN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |