AgdaPkt 2012-01-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.3.A. - Page 1 RE PO RT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager January 9, 2012 SUBJECT Middlefield Road Underground Utility District No. 2011-1 Project — Resolution of Intent RECOMMENDATION Adopt a Resolution of Intent to set a Public Hearing on January 23, 2012 to introduce an Ordinance establishing the Middlefield Road Underground Utility District 2011-1. BACKGROUND PG&E annually converts approximately 30 miles of overhead electric facilities to underground facilities. This program is referred to as PG&E's Rule 20A. Other utility companies such as AT&T (Rule 32A), Comcast and Astound also have similar programs and generally follow Rule 20A provisions. To qualify for funding, public agencies after consultation with PG&E must hold a public hearing, receive public comments and find that the undergrounding is in the public's interest based on one or more of the following reasons: • Undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities. • The street or road or right-of-way is extensively used by the general public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. • The street, road or right-of-way adjoins or passes through a civic area or public recreation area or an area of unusual scenic interest to the general public. • The street or road or right-of-way is considered an arterial street or major collector as defined in the Governor's Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines. ANALYSIS The purpose of the public hearing process is to define the geographic boundary of the district and to establish local regulations that require the removal of all poles, overhead wires and associated structures from the proposed boundary, and require the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric, communications, or similar or associated service within said boundary. The regulations also dictate that all future utility work be undergrounded. The boundary map shows all the parcels within the proposed district where all utility poles will be eliminated and electrical wires and related equipment placed underground. The proposed public hearing is set for January 23, 2012. The affected property owners will be given notice of the public hearing through a direct mailing and notice in the