HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - PROJ B3015 SOLEDAD UNDERGROUND (2)0
Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
Q) AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
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CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: 1 j=�
DATE: January 12, 2016
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
EDISON COMPANY FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR
THE SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING -
DESIGN, PROJECT B3015
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: David Lasher
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize staff to enter into an agreement for engineering design services with the Southern
California Edison Company for the Soledad Canyon Road Utility Undergrounding — Design,
Project B3015, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, plus a contingency in the amount of
$30,000, for atotal amount not to exceed $130,000.
2. Authorize staff to provide the Southern California Edison Company with final approved
plans and related documents as required for joint relocation projects.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and associated documents,
contingent upon the appropriation of funds by City Council, subject to City Attorney
approval.
BACKGROUND
In 1967, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Decision 73708, Case 8209,
which mandates all electric utility companies, subject to regulation by the CPUC, budget funds
annually for the undergrounding of overhead utility lines in the public right-of-way. In
accordance with this ruling, potential undergrounding project areas fall routinely under CPUC
Rule 20 regulations. Rule 20 projects must meet certain public benefit criteria consistent with the
CPUC's state-wide program. This program relates primarily to overhead lines along major City
of Santa Clarita (City) streets. Undergrounding overhead utility lines is identified as a specific
goal of the Santa Clarita 2020 Plan in the area of Community Beautification.
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The Southern California Edison Company (SCE) maintains overhead power distribution and
transmission lines throughout the City. Communication lines, cable television lines, power lines
specifically for street lighting, and (in some instances) street lights are also located on related
SCE equipment in the City. The City desires to relocate these power lines underground when and
where feasible in conjunction with CPUC regulations.
City staff determined where it is most feasible, practical, and cost-effective to relocate utilities
underground in accordance with Rule 20 guidelines. Staff, working with SCE, first identified
numerous sections of roadways where overhead infrastructure was present and had the potential
for undergrounding. Staff subsequently conducted field work and developed criteria including,
but not limited to, statistics, such as traffic counts, to prioritize a list of 21 roadway segments
where undergrounding utilities would be viable.
As a result of the analysis, staff recommends a two-mile section of Soledad Canyon Road
between Bouquet Canyon Road and Valley Center Drive be designed for future undergrounding
of utilities. While funds for the actual undergrounding of the utilities have not been budgeted or
identified, developer fees contributed by The New Home Company in the amount of $300,000
will sunset in accordance with state law and may be unavailable in the future. The cost to
underground utilities on this specific segment is estimated by SCE to cost between $9.6 and
$16.5 million.
In conjunction with joint utility undergrounding projects, SCE requires final approved plans
detailing all SCE facilities, grading, street improvements, and other infrastructure. City staff
intends to produce the required plans for this project from existing documents and data.
SCE estimated the cost for engineering design services to be under $100,000. Considering a
contingency of $30,000, a total amount not to exceed $130,000 would be appropriated for this
project. Funds for this project are found in contractual services account B3015306-5161.001.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of this agreement will not exceed $130,000. Funds in the amount of $300,000
were previously appropriated and are available in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget for contractual
services in account B3015306-5161.001 for this proposed project.
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