CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Easement Quit Clam Deed at 5926 Sheila Street Associated with the Southern California Edison (SCE) Refuse 66-12kV Substation Removal MEETING DATE: October 24, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution accepting the Easement Quit Claim Deed at 5926 Sheila Street associated with the Southern California Edison (SCE) Refuse 66-12kV Substation Removal.
BACKGROUND:
On November 25, 2019, the City received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enter the "Project Development" phase of designing a new transportation facility. FTA approved the project due to current and anticipated capacity constraints at the existing transit maintenance facility (TMF), including future needs such as modernized electric fleets. Therefore, the City was granted "pre-award" authority to begin activities related to refining and preparing the project for future design and construction phases. The new facility will house the existing and future operations of the City's Transportation Department.
In 1986, a portion of the former Commerce Refuse to Energy Authority (CREA) site (proposed project site) located at 5926 Sheila Street was deeded in the form of an easement to SCE for Substation purposes from Commerce Refuse to Energy Authority, a public entity, dated May 20, 1986, through Instrument No. 86-724548 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County for Refuse 66-12kV Substation purposes. However, in February 2021, the City requested the termination of the Substation for the proposed transportation Facility project. SCE commenced the demolition process in 2022 and completed the removal of its Substation earlier this year.
Subsequently, to ensure the site was clear of any hazardous material before it reverted to the City, Leighton Consulting, Inc., on behalf of SCE, conducted an environmental site investigation (ESI) and oversaw subsequent soil removal to support the decommissioning efforts of the Refuse 66-12kV Substation. The study was completed, and a copy of the Leighton Report was provided to the City.
With the completion of the substation removal and environmental study, SCE requested that the attached easement deed be accepted and recorded for quit claiming the easement. Staff recommends that the City Council consider adopting a Resolution accepting the quitclaim deed and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Certificate of Acceptance for recording the quitclaim deed with Los Angeles Recorder’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The SCE substation's removal cost is approximately $550,000, paid using City Measure AA funds.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan - Goal #6: "Enhance Quality of Life Goal"; this project helps the City move closer to building affordable homes in the community, improving the quality of life in Commerce.
Approved and Recommended by: Claude McFerguson, Director of Transportation Fiscal Impact reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Acting Finance Director Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Quit Claim Deed
Environmental Site Investigation and Soil Removal Report