TITLE:
title
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON RULE 20B PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AGREEMENT FOR UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING ALONG ADAMS AVENUE
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: SEUNG YANG, p.E., CITY ENGINEER, (714) 754-5633
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve the Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement between the City of Costa Mesa (City) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE), authorizing an advance payment of $130,000 to SCE for design of undergrounding utilities along Adams Avenue.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and any future authorized amendments to this agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
On September 7, 2021, the City Council established Underground Utility District No. 22 along Adams Avenue from Mesa Verde Drive East to Albatross Drive to underground overhead Southern California Edison (SCE) utility power poles and other appurtenant structures.
The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Rule 20 program establishes policies and procedures for the conversion of overhead utility lines and other equipment to underground facilities. The objectives of utility undergrounding and the Rule 20 program include improved public safety, enhanced aesthetics, and the promotion of greater accessibility by removing obstructions posed by utility fixtures within walkways and active transportation corridors. Pursuant to Tariff Rule 20A, utility companies assess a fee on utility ratepayers, a portion of which is allocated to local agencies in the form of Rule 20A work credits for implementing utility undergrounding projects within their communities. There is no cost to the City for the design and construction of the utility undergrounding with Rule 20A. The limits of Rule 20A along Adams Avenue is from approximately Mesa Verde Drive East to Redwing Circle.
Both the design and construction of the utility undergrounding along Adams Avenue from Redwing Circle to Albatross Drive will be funded using Rule 20B funds. These will be City funds that were appropriated by City Council during Fiscal Year 2022-23 as the Adams Avenue Active Transportation Project.
The limits of both the Rule 20A and Rule 20B portions along Adams Avenue are shown as Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS:
As part of the Rule 20 Program, Public Works staff worked with the SCE Rule 20 program manager in drafting the attached Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement (Attachment 1) for the City funded Rule 20B portion along Adams Avenue from Redwing Circle to Albatross Drive.
Pursuant to this agreement, the City will compensate SCE, an initial estimated fee of $130,000 to begin the early phases of engineering design for the utility undergrounding. The $130,000 is an advance fee, and further compensation will be requested by SCE to complete the full design.
The Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement is presented in Attachment 1.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City may elect not to enter into the Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement with SCE. Staff does not recommend this alternative, as that would require the City to expend considerably more to complete the full undergrounding design.
FISCAL REVIEW:
SCE’s Preliminary Design and Engineering advance fee of $130,000 will be funded from the Capital Improvement Fund (401) from the Adams Avenue Active Transportation Project approved by City Council in Fiscal Year 2022-23.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report, the Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement, and approves them both as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goals:
• Maintain and Enhance the City’s Facilities, Equipment and Technology
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve the Preliminary Design and Engineering Agreement (Attachment 1) between the City of Costa Mesa (City) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE), authorizing an advance payment of $130,000 to SCE for design of undergrounding utilities along Adams Avenue.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and any future authorized amendments to this agreement.