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: APRIL 21, 2026
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: FORMATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 73 –
BALL/BROOKHURST
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 27
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution:
1. Approve the formation of Underground Utility District No. 73 – Ball/Brookhurst (UD 73) in the area shown on Exhibit A of the Resolution (Attachment 1) in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 17.24 (Underground Utilities) of the Anaheim Municipal Code (AMC); and
2. Determine that the formation of UD 73 and any construction activities associated therewith are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., title 14, ch. 3) sections 15301(b), 15302(c)-(d), and 15303; and further determine that none of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply.
DISCUSSION:
At its meeting on March 25, 2026, the Public Utilities Board (Board) held a public hearing to consider the formation of UD 73 and on that basis recommended that the City Council approve its formation.
The Underground Conversion Program was established by the City Council in 1990 to underground overhead power and telecommunication lines along major roadways and areas designated for reliability improvements (such as wildfire mitigation), as codified in Chapter 17.24 of the AMC. 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 Ball/Brookhurst undergrounding project is part of the Five-Year Plan that was recommended by the Public Utilities Board and approved by City Council on July 22, 2025.
Formation of Underground Utility District No. 73 – Ball/Brookhurst April 21, 2026
The City’s adoption of this proposed Resolution forming UD 73 would initiate the detailed design and easement acquisition process generally along Ball Road from east of Brookhurst Street to west of Euclid Street, as shown and demarcated on Exhibit A in Attachment 1.
During its March 25, 2026, regular meeting, the Board conducted a public hearing to consider the proposed formation of UD 73. APU provided notice of the public hearing to all affected residents, schools, businesses, and utility companies within the proposed district boundary, as required under section 17.24.040 of the AMC. 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.
Prior to the public hearing, one email and one phone call were received from the public, and their details were presented to the Board for consideration. The email correspondence was from Teleport Communications America LLC, requesting that its contact information be updated to reflect a new point of contact for future notifications. The phone call was from a business owner seeking clarification on the notice of public hearing and how the property would be impacted by the project, which staff responded to and provided assurance that accommodation would be made for access to the business. At the public hearing, no members of the community commented on the proposed underground district formation. After the public hearing, one email correspondence was received from Southern California Gas Company, indicating that it does not have any transmission facilities within the district limits.
The undergrounding will be coordinated with Gilbert High and Key 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.
Telecommunication providers are responsible for removing their overhead facilities in accordance with AMC Chapter 17.24. Telecommunication companies will be offered the opportunity to have the City’s contractor install conduits in a joint trench on a voluntary basis at their proportionate cost. Following the construction of civil infrastructure, telecommunication companies will have twelve months to complete their removals and/or undergrounding activities.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in Winter 2027, with projected completion in Spring 2029 for the City’s scope of work. This timeline is subject to securing easements with property owners, and coordination with City departments and other agencies that have facilities in UD 73. A future construction bid award will be brought forward for City Council consideration upon completion of design and securing easements.
The formation of UD73 (Ball/Brookhurst) supports the Citywide 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. 73 – Ball/Brookhurst April 21, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
APU recommends that City Council determine that UD 73 and its associated construction activities are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to sections 15301(b), 15302(c)-(d), and 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines. Work within UD 73 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 2025/26 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 73 with district boundary map