201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5173
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2024
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: FORMATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 72 –
LA PALMA/EAST
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 19
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution:
1. Approve the formation of Underground Utility District No. 72 – La Palma/East (UD 72) in the area shown on Exhibit A of the Resolution (Attachment 1) in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 17.24 of the Anaheim Municipal Code concerning Underground Utilities; and
2. Determine that the formation of UD 72 and any construction activities associated therewith are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to sections 15301(b), 15302(c), 15302(d), and 15303 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
DISCUSSION:
At its meeting on September 25, 2024, the Public Utilities Board (Board) held a public hearing to consider the formation of the proposed District and on that basis recommended that the City Council approve its formation.
The Underground Conversion Program (Program) was established by the City Council in 1990 to underground overhead power and communication lines along major roadways and in areas needing reliability improvements, as codified in Chapter 17.24 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. The criteria for adding projects to the Five-Year Plan for undergrounding include engineering and operational considerations, coordination with other roadway projects, geographic diversity, aesthetic enhancements, and available funding. The proposed La Palma/East undergrounding project is part of the Five-Year Plan that was approved by City Council on July 23, 2024.
The City of Anaheim’s (City) adoption of this proposed Resolution forming UD 72 would initiate the detailed design and easement acquisition process and would require telecommunication companies to work with Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) to underground overhead facilities along La Palma Avenue from west of East Street to Formation of Underground Utility District No. 72 – La Palma/East October 29, 2024
State College Boulevard and along East Street from north of Belmont Avenue to Eastwood Drive, as shown and demarcated on Exhibit A in Attachment 1.
On East Street, APU, Southern California Edison (SCE), and various telecommunication companies have overhead facilities co-located on jointly owned poles. SCE is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and is therefore not obligated to fund undergrounding in jurisdictions where SCE does not serve customers. Therefore, utility poles where SCE transmission facilities are attached to along East Street will remain overhead.
During its September 25, 2024 regular meeting, the Board conducted a public hearing to consider the proposed formation of the District. APU provided notice of the hearing to all affected residents, schools, businesses, and utility companies within the proposed district boundary, as required under section 17.24.040 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. Notices of the public hearing were also published in the Anaheim Bulletin, and all public hearing documentation was made available for public review at the City Clerk's Office. APU did not receive any correspondence based on the 1,141 public notices that were mailed out. At the public hearing, no members of the community spoke against the proposed underground district formation.
The District’s undergrounding will be coordinated with Sycamore Junior High and Edison Elementary schools’ schedule, and other residents and businesses within the project limits to identify suitable locations for placement of utility equipment, and to minimize traffic impacts during construction. Additionally, the undergrounding will replace the lights on existing utility wood poles with new stand-alone street light poles that will be spaced to meet current roadway guidelines and enhance roadway visibility along these corridors. Final street paving will be coordinated with the Public Works Department.
APU’s scope of work is estimated to cost $13.5 million dollars which will include placing additional underground infrastructure to accommodate future undergrounding along La Palma Avenue west of the Metrolink Railroad tracks and expansion of Sharp Substation. APU will offer to install civil structures for telecommunication companies to streamline the project, and those that participate will reimburse APU for their proportionate costs for trenching and substructure installations. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the 4th Quarter of 2026 with projected completion in the 3rd Quarter of 2028 for the City’s portion of the project. This timeline is subject to coordination with property owners, utility companies, and other City departments who have facilities in UD 72. Telecommunication providers are responsible for removing their overhead facilities in accordance with the Anaheim Municipal Code (Chapter
17.24). A future construction bid award will be brought forward for City Council consideration upon completion of design and securing easements.
UD 72’s formation supports the 2024-25 Strategic Plan, Goal C – Invest in Infrastructure and Amenities, Strategy 4 – Improve, enhance, beautify, and maintain major street corridors.
Formation of Underground Utility District No. 72 – La Palma/East October 29, 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
APU recommends that City Council determine that UD 72 and its associated construction activities are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to sections 15301(b), 15302(c), 15302(d) and 15303 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Work within UD 72 will include replacement of existing overhead facilities with underground facilities and the installation of minor street apparatuses, which do not have the potential to create a significant effect on the environment.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds for formation and design engineering are budgeted in APU’s Fiscal Year 2024/25 Electric Capital Improvement Program budget from restricted Electric Utility funds. Funds for construction will be subject to City Council approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Dukku Lee
Public Utilities General Manager
Attachment:
1. Resolution forming UD 72 with district boundary map