Fremont City Council Meeting: 06/18/24 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Information Technology Services Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Public Projects
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5192) DOC ID: 5192
Updated: 6/12/2024 1:04 PM by Dina Lewis Page 1
FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATION REDUNDANCY PROJECT - Make Findings of CEQA Exemption for the Fiber Optic Communication Redundancy Project (PWC9115)
Contact Persons:
Name: Sanford Taylor Hans Larsen
Title: IT Director Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Information Technology Services Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4802 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to make a determination of Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Fiber Optic Communication Redundancy Project (Project) to facilitate the submittal of a Caltrans encroachment permit application for the Project construction.
BACKGROUND: The Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA) operates the Express Lanes and the associated fiber-optic communication infrastructure along the Interstate 880 corridor through Alameda County. In 2019, BAIFA and the City of Fremont (City) executed a reciprocal use agreement, which allows BAIFA to use City-owned fiber- optic lines along Mowry Avenue to connect to BART owned fiber-optic lines at the Downtown Fremont BART Station, and ultimately establish communication to BAIFA’s data centers in the cities of Martinez, Oakland, and San Francisco. Under the agreement, the City is allowed to utilize BAIFA’s fiber-optic lines along Interstate 880 within the City limit. The BAIFA fiber- optic infrastructure is located within the I-880 freeway right of way, which is owned and operated by Caltrans.
In May 2022, the City adopted the Citywide Fiber Optic Master Plan (Fiber Master Plan) to identify existing and planned new fiber-optic communication infrastructure throughout the City, with the goal of providing a City-owned, high-bandwidth internet communication to support City facilities, local businesses, and residents. A core element for the Fiber Master Plan includes the implementation of “redundancy rings” of fiber-optic lines along the I-880 corridor to allow for backup communication connection in the event that the primary fiber - optic lines along City streets are impacted. Having redundant fiber-optic runs is essential to ensure overall network reliability and minimize the potential for outages within the City’s fiber communication network. This fiber network is used to support City operations related to public safety, transportation, and other municipal communications, as well as a new WiFi internet system that the City will deploy in the six business districts to be used by local businesses and other constituents.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The Project will establish fiber-optic connections between the City-owned fiber-optic lines along Fremont Boulevard and Mowry Avenue to BAIFA’s fiber- optic lines along I-880, with new connections at the Fremont Boulevard (south) interchange, Mowry Avenue interchange, and Fremont Boulevard (north) interchange. The Project scope of work includes the installation of new communication conduit and communication boxes through directional boring, the installation of new fiber-optic cables, and the splicing of new Council Staff Report (ID # 5192) Meeting of June 18, 2024 Updated: 6/12/2024 1:04 PM by Dina Lewis Page 2
fiber-optic cable connections. The Project work will be done within the Caltrans operated I- 880 freeway right-of-way, in areas that were previously disturbed as part of the construction of the three freeway interchanges. As part of the Caltrans encroachment permit review process, the City must make CEQA findings for the Project and include the appropriate CEQA certification document as part of the Caltrans encroachment permit application packet.
The Project is currently under design, and the Project design is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2024. Staff anticipates award of a construction contract in early 2025 to initiate the Project construction.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct cost or fiscal impact associated with making a CEQA determination for the Project. The Project design is being funded by the Information Technology Services Capital Replacement Fund (Fund 625). Project construction costs will be identified at the end of Project design, and staff plans to identify potential fund ing sources for the Project construction when the Project is brought back to the City Council to award the construction contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: This Project is categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving no or negligible expansion of use beyond that which presently exists); CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small facilities or structures); CEQA Guidelines 15304 (minor alterations to land involving minor trenching and backfilling). The Project involves existing facilities of both investor and publicly-owned utilities that provide public utility services and which will require installation of conduit and communication boxes within existing underground pipes; installation of above-ground cabinets, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface will be restored. Each of the foregoing provides a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance with respect to the subject action.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Find that this Project is categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving no or negligible expansion of use beyond that which presently exists); CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small facilities or structures); CEQA Guidelines 15304 (minor alterations to land involving minor trenching and backfilling). The Project involves existing facilities of both investor and publicly-owned utilities that provide public utility services and which will require installation of conduit and communication boxes within existing underground pipes; installation of above-ground cabinets, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface will be restored. Each of the foregoing provides a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance with respect to the subject action.