Agenda

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TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	11/10/2016
Subject: RECEIVE the Report on PG&E Coordination with Cities and County for Street Light Maintenance and MONITOR Implementation of the Letter of Understanding.
Submitted For:	Julia R. Bueren
Department:	Public Works
Referral No.:	13
Referral Name:	Monitor implementation of the Letter of Understanding with PG&E for the maintenance of PG&E streetlights in Contra Costa County.
Presenter:	Jason Chen, Department of Public Works	Contact:	Jason Chen (925)313-2299

Information

Referral History:

The Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) committee accepted the 2015 status report on street light maintenance by PG&E in coordination with Cities (Countywide) on December 7, 2015.

Referral Update:

The TWIC committee requested Public Works staff to report annually on the status of street light maintenance coordination efforts with PG&E. Staff reported at the December 7, 2015 meeting regarding this item.

Background:

The Letter of Understanding (LOU), dated February 2008, between PG&E and County, states the commitment of PG&E for open communication and responsive service levels and actions in resolving issues related to street light performance. A way to keep communication channels open was by conducting regular discussions at Street Light Coordination meetings with the County, its constituent, Cities and Towns. However, in 2015 there was a change in the frequency of these meetings at the request of PG&E due to low participation of Cities’ staff.

Continuing the effort initiated in May 2008, the County Public Works Department, PG&E and Cities met in January, March, and April 2015. There were no meetings held in July and October as County prepared to reach out to Cities staff for their feedback. Since reporting to TWIC on December 7, 2015 there have been no meetings in 2016.

The PG&E, Cities, and County Street Light Coordination meetings allowed communication among those present to address issues related to street light maintenance, operations, increased efficiencies and LED conversions, and rates.

As Public Works staff prepares an update to the LOU with more current and relevant topics, the priority focus was to assemble a survey to cities, reviewed by PG&E. The goal of this survey was to determine if Cities and the County would like to continue to meet and discuss street light issues. The survey was distributed to the 19 cities in the County and 15 Cities responded.

PG&E and County Public Works staff agree that the survey results indicate that the cities want to continue the Street Light Coordination meetings. County will coordinate with PG&E to resume the Street Light Coordination meetings starting in early 2017.

Another major effort that occurred in 2016 was the LED Street Light Conversion Projects. This project launched in spring 2015, with the majority of the street lights converted in 2016. This project converted about 5,600 PG&E street lights countywide. PG&E street light conversion project team was well organized and completed the work in a time efficient manner. PG&E’s team included public outreach team that mailed notifications letters and respond to inquiries from residents.

The next steps for 2017 will be to:

1) Resume the Street Light Coordination meetings.
2) Continue the process to review the LOU and reflect the challenges of 2017 and beyond.
3) Provide update to TWIC toward the end of 2016.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

RECEIVE this status report on the street light coordination effort between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the County Public Works Department (County), and Cities for street light maintenance and provide direction as appropriate.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

No impact on the general fund. All costs for street lights are funded by County Service Area L-100 or Community Facilities District 2010-1.

Attachments
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