HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06261984 - X.4 (2) Contra
Costa
County
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: April 17, 1984
SUBJECT: Assessment District 1981-1
Specific Requests or Recommendations b Background b Justification
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Public Works Director to execute an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, the Town of Danville and the City of San Ramon for.-undergrounding the existing
overhead electric pole line along San Ramon Valley Boulevard within the boundaries of
Assessment District 1981-1.
BACKGROUND
Assessment District 1981-1 was created on July 26, 1983 by Resolution No. 83/930. Proceeds
from this district are being used to construct improvements to San Ramon Valley Boulevard
between Old Crow Canyon Road ( in the City of San Ramon) and the north end of the Peters
Ranch project (in -the Town of Danville) . This assessment district project was initiated
by Contra Costa County prior to incorporation of San Ramon Danville and is now proceeding
with the full support of the two cities.
The issue of responsibility for undergrounding the existing overhead utility facilities
has been discussed for quite sometime. The San Ramon Valley Area Planning Commission
discussed the issue in conjunction with their review of the Peters Ranch project (located
on the west side of San Ramon Valley Boulevard opposite Greenbrook Drive) . Due to the
estimated high cost, the Planning Commission did not require the developer to underground
the facilities. The issue was also discussed with the property owners in Assessment District
1981-1 but, again, rejected because of the high cost involved.
Funds were not included in Assessment District 1981-1 for relocation of existing utility
facilities. It has long been the County' s position that responsibility for relocation
of existing utility facilities as a result of public road projects (assessment districts
are public road projects under the Streets and Highways Code) is the responsibility of
the utilities. The issue was resolved in previous San Ramon area assessment districts
when PGandE agreed to relocate their facilities "under protest".
Continued on attachment: x yes Signat
•
. Recommendation of County Administrator Recommen on of Eroar oamittee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: April 17 1984 Approved as Recommended_ Other
Vote of Supervisors I. HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
.Unanimous (Absent III ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
Attested April 9 8 4
Orig. Div.: Public Works Department J.R. CLSSOR, COUNTY CLERK IID
cc: Mike Davis, Town of Danville EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD
Jim Robinson, City of San Ramon
Jim Sloneker, District Marketing Supervisor, Z:Lk� � ��� � DEPUTY
Gas and Electric Company By
BO.AD811.t4
00 - 134
PGandE initially agreed to relocate (overhead to overhead) their facilities within Assessment
`bistrict 1981-1 under "protest". The issue became more complicated when Interstate 680
was designated a "scenic corridor" by Caltrans. The significance of this designation
gas not originally realized by either the County or PGandE. The California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) , code section 320, clearly prohibits the lateral relocation of existing
overhead facilities within 1000 feet of designated scenic highways when such facilities
are visible from the scenic highway. The utility facilities within Assessment District
1981-1 are within 1000 feet of I-680 and clearly must be undergrounded.
PGandE has taken the position that responsibility for undergrounding of the facilities
is the County's (or San Ramon's or Danvi'lle's) . The County has taken the position that
although the CPUC code clearly requires the undergrounding, the project is a public project
under the provisions of the Streets and Highways Code and that responsibility for relocation
(whether lateral or underground) remains with the utilities.
Both PGandE and- Contra Costa County recognized the seriousness of having poles remain
within the project area and attempted to resolve the situation by letter agreement dated
November 18, 1983 wherein PGandE agreed to move the poles (overhead to overhead) while .
the County agreed to consider alternate ways of undergrounding the facilities. On December
9, 1983, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a stop order prohibiting PGandE
from relocating the poles until a formal deviation from Section 320 had been filed or
a specific plan to underground the poles was identified.
Because of the length of time it would take to formally pursue a deviation from Section
320 of the California Public Utilities Code, Contra Costa County, the City of San Ramon,
the Town of Danville and PGandE decided to proceed with an investigation of undergrounding
alternatives. The joint efforts of all parties have culminated in a financing methodology
to underground the existing facilities for the entire length of Assessment District 1981-1
along San Ramon Valley Boulevard. The concept proposes to finance the undergrounding
using a combination of PGandE electric Rule 20A funds from Contra Costa County, the Town
of Danville and the City of San Ramon under the conditions detailed in the attached agreement.
Under the proposed agreement, Contra Costa County will utilize $550,000 of its Rule 20A
funds for this project. In exchange, PGandE,will guarantee that undergrounding projects
currently being planned or considered by the County will be funded (even if the project
would extend the County beyond its typical three year advance allocation limit--but only
to the amount contributed toward this project) .
The proposed agreement was approved by the San Ramon City Council on April 10, 1984 and
the Danville City Council on April 12, 1984.
00 135