City of Long Beach - File #: 06-0848

• File #: 06-0848
• Version: 1
• Name: PW - Reso 2 Utility District 41
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 8/30/2006
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 9/5/2006
• Final action: 9/5/2006
• Title: Adopt Resolution of Intention to establish Underground Utility District 41, for a portion of Alamitos Avenue; set the date of public hearings on establishing Underground Utility Districts No.’s 40 and 41 for Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 5:00 P.M.; and direct City Clerk to mail notices of the public hearings, together with a district map and letter of information, to all concerned utilities and to all affected property owners as shown on the last equalized assessment roll. (Districts 1,2,6,7)
• Sponsors: Public Works
• Related files: 06-0846, 06-1039

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/5/2006	1	City Council	approve recommendation and adopt	Pass

TITLE
DISCUSSION
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) enacted Rule 20 in 1968 in order to systematize the conversion of overhead utility facilities (electric, telephone and cable TV) to underground facilities. The CPUC established the criteria of Rule 20A in order to maintain a general public benefit wherein recovery of the costs of a project are included in electric rates.

The allocation concept was developed to ensure equitable treatment of every local government by Southern California Edison (SCE) and ensure a fair division of SCE funds among the local governments in its service territory. The allocation formula was developed by the SCE and the League of California Cities (on behalf of local governments) and was approved by the CPUC. The allocation formula for SCE is a method of calculating a fair allocation for all communities within our service territory based on the number of overhead electric meters in each community. The exact formula is found within the CPUC Rule 20A tariff. Long Beach's allocation typically amounts to $2.5 million per year.

Projects that qualify for funding under tariff Rule 20 A are: 1) Arterial and Collector Roads, 2) located on or in heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicle traffic streets, 3) streets and roads with an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electrical facilities, 4) streets, roads and highways of scenic interest, or 5) streets or roads near civic areas.

City staff, in conjunction with assistance from SCE, developed a priority listing for potential utility undergrounding districts using the project criteria established by the CPUC under Rule 20 A. Attached is a copy of the results of that effort. SCE has indicated that Long Beach's current share of SCE 's undergrounding budget will allow for the following top two listed projects to proceed:

Willow Street from the westerly City Limits to Atlantic Avenue is a major arterial with a heavy concentration of overhead utility lines in an area of dense comme...