Agenda

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TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	08/09/2021
Subject: APPROVE the Appian Way Undergrounding Project for the County Rule 20A Underground Utility Program and AUTHORIZE the PWD Director.
Submitted For:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Department:	Public Works
Referral No.:	13
Referral Name:	Monitor and report on the Underground Utilities Program.
Presenter:	Craig Standafer, Public Works Department	Contact:	Craig Standafer (925)313-2018

Information

Referral History:

The Public Works Department manages the Rule 20A Underground Utility Program for Contra Costa County. Through Rule 20A, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to set aside funds annually for financing the undergrounding of overhead distribution facilities located on public streets and roads (see Exhibit A). AT&T and Comcast also budget funds to participate in projects where PG&E Rule 20A funds are programmed.

Utility Undergrounding replaces aboveground electrical and communication facilities (joint poles) with below ground facilities (joint trenches). The Board of Supervisors approve the next utility undergrounding project to move forward. Past projects, such as the Bailey Road and Willow Pass Road Undergrounding project were discussed at the Finance Committee; however, each Board member stated that the TWIC would be a more appropriate venue.

Referral Update:

PG&E Rule 20A work credits are the funding source for utility undergrounding projects. As of February 28, 2021, the balance of Rule 20A funds allocated to the County was $18,528,494, with roughly $10 million slated to be deducted this year after the completion of PG&E’s accounting for the Bailey Road and Willow Pass Road Undergrounding Project.

Between the months of November 2020 through March 2021, the Public Works Department staff briefed each Supervisorial District on a planning matrix and rubric to determine where the next utility undergrounding project should take place. Over the next two months, Public Works responded to questions.

Many criteria were analyzed in the rubric to determine the next project including the following: average daily traffic, whether the project would be in a highly visible commercial corridor or community gateway, the overall aesthetics and potential for economic growth, the project’s location within a Wildland Urban Interface Zone (i.e., the potential for improving public safety from wildfires), and geographic equity.

Staff recommends that the Appian Way corridor from City of Pinole city limit to Argyle Road should be the next project to proceed with.

The CPUC and PG&E are proposing to end the current funding to the Rule 20A program. This could make the next project the last project to be funded by work credits.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

APPROVE the selection of the Appian Way Undergrounding Project as the next project for the Contra Costa County Rule 20A Underground Utility Program, and AUTHORIZE the Director of Public Works, on behalf of the County, to initiate technical field reviews with utility-related members of the Underground Utility Advisory Committee, including PG&E, AT&T, and Comcast, develop and finalize the scope, geographic boundaries, and cost estimate.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

There will be no impact to the County General Fund. Staff time to perform preliminary project scoping, coordination with utilities, and underground utility district formation will be funded with local road funds and supplemental funds from grants, Area of Benefit funds, and other funds when available. Preliminary engineering, design, and construction will be funded with Rule 20A funds and with supplemental parcel owner contributions where construction work on such parcels exceeds allotments provided in Section 3 of CPUC Rule 20A.

Attachments
TWIC Memo
Exhibit A
Exhibit B