Resolution No.
STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION APPROVING SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO ESTABLISH AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ALONG LOWER SACRAMENTO ROAD, AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY ALL AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS BY MAIL OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND APPROVING THE PROPOSED AREA TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LOWER SACRAMENTO ROAD UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT On July 17, 1989, Council adopted policies and procedures for a Master Plan of Underground Utility Districts. This outlined the development of a long-range (30 to 50 years) Plan. First priority was given to major street widening and reconstruction project by the City, and second priority was given to areas of civic, scenic, or historic importance; and Staff has reviewed the 50-year Master Plan, together with current and future priority road projects, and identified the Lower Sacramento Road Corridor as a high priority for the establishment of an Undergrounding Utility District. In addition, the Lower Sacramento Road Corridor is a project listed on the San Joaquin Council of Governments Measure K Strategic Plan; and Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 13.36, Regulations and Procedures for the Removal of Overhead Utility Facilities and the Installation of Underground Facilities in Underground Utility Districts, establishes regulations and procedures for the formation of Underground Utility Districts. In accordance with SMC section 13.36.020, a public hearing is required to determine whether the public necessity, health, safety, or welfare requires the undergrounding of overhead facilities; and PG&E is mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission, under Tariff Rule 20, to budget monies to convert overhead facilities to underground. These undergrounding projects are commonly known as Rule 20A projects; and As of March 2024, the City has accumulated approximately $4.8 million in PG&E credits that can be used to relocate eligible overhead powerlines and communication utilities underground within the City; and Removing utility poles and relocating overhead facilities below ground improves safety and aesthetics of streets, sidewalks, neighborhoods, and civic areas. Potential hazards associated with downed lines or poles being situated close to vehicle travel areas are also eliminated. In addition, undergrounding poles will provide unobstructed right-of-way required to install the road improvements of the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements project; and It has been recommended that such Lower Sacramento Road Underground Utility District be formed between Pixley Slough and Bear Creek and encompass 100 feet on either side of the centerline of Lower Sacramento Road; and Per SMC section 16.72.230, developers remain to be responsible for the cost of utility undergrounding for their new development adjacent to the project; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON, AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council approves setting a public hearing for August 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 425 North El Dorado Street, Stockton, California, as the date, time, and place, when the City Council will conduct a public hearing to determine whether public necessity, health, safety, or welfare requires the formation of an underground utility` district along Lower Sacramento Road bound between Pixley Slough and Bear Creek.
The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to publish notice of this public hearing in a newspaper of local circulation, The Record, at least ten (10) days prior to said hearing date.
The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to notify by mail, all affected property owners as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and utilities concerned of the time and place of such hearing by mailing a copy of this Resolution to such property owners and utilities concerned at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof as required by SMC section 13.36.020.
The City Council approves the area proposed to be included in the District which is shown upon that certain map entitled “Lower Sacramento Road Underground Utility District”, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by this reference.
The City Manager is hereby authorized to take whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED July 9, 2024 .
ATTEST: KEVIN J. LINCOLN II
Mayor of the City of Stockton
KATHERINE ROLAND, CMC, CPMC
Interim City Clerk of the City of Stockton