TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:August 26, 2025
SUBJECT: Underground Easement to Southern California Edison at 452 Whitegate Road – APN 658-0-052-210
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Grant Deed of Easement to Southern California Edison Company (SCE) for an amount equal to $12,912 and authorize the City Engineer to execute all necessary documents for dedication of easement of City property (APN 658-0- 052-210) at 452 Whitegate Road.
2. Approve budget appropriation in the amount of $12,912 from A/C #001-5210- 486-0000 (Development Services, Misc. Revenues) to A/C #001-0000-311-1000 (General Fund, Fund Balance).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$12,912 Increase to Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget. Minimal staff time required to process the necessary easement documentation is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget. $12,912 increase in revenue to the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget for the easement dedication.
BACKGROUND:
The City owns a 2.07-acre parcel at 452 Whitegate Road located at the terminus of Whitegate Road with single-family dwellings located west and north of the parcel, and an undeveloped parcel adjacent to the east and south (Attachment #1).
The City’s 550,000-gallon Kelley Reservoir and hydropneumatic Pump Station are currently located on the parcel.
Underground Easement to SCE at 452 Whitegate Rd.
August 26, 2025
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The Kelley Reservoir and Pump Station are supplied with electrical power by SCE from an overhead service line from an SCE transmission line adjacent to the westerly property line. SCE desires to underground the existing overhead power lines on Whitegate Road and requires an easement on the City’s Kelley Reservoir parcel to complete the project.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City and SCE have partnered together to perform 10 utility undergrounding projects citywide over the past 20 years. SCE has launched a new program titled “Targeted Utility Undergrounding” (TUG) that identifies a subset of high fire risk areas in the City designated as “Severe Risk Areas” where they can significantly reduce ignition risks by accelerating utility undergrounding of their overhead power lines. The targeted undergrounding effort will make the electrical system more reliable during extreme weather conditions by protecting it from high winds, vegetation, and other hazards that could cause fires or power outages.
SCE has selected the power lines on Whitegate Road within the Borchard Electrical Circuit for one of their three projects citywide for the new TUG Program.
As part of the project, SCE is proposing to underground the existing overhead power lines located on Whitegate Road. Whitegate Road terminates at the City’s parcel, and SCE’s overhead line extends approximately 270 feet beyond this point.
Portions of the undergrounding need to be placed within the City’s parcel and will require an easement granted to SCE from the City. Additionally, the City’s existing overhead service to the pump station requires undergrounding, and a new at-grade transformer will be constructed on the City’s parcel. The service line and transformer also require an easement dedicated to SCE.
The location of the proposed undergrounding has been reviewed, and granting of the easement will not impact the City’s current or future use of the parcel (Attachment #2). Staff recommends approval of the requested easement and authorization for the City Engineer to execute necessary documents. To compensate for the use of City property, SCE has made an offer of $12,912 (Attachment #3).
All costs associated with this TUG project will be covered by SCE; however, it is noted that the TUG projects being proposed by SCE will not involve the undergrounding of the telephone and communication wires (since those are owned and operated by others). Attachment # 4 provides a graphical representation of the proposed improvements.
Underground Easement to SCE at 452 Whitegate Rd.
August 26, 2025
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COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Bradley Bussell, Sr. Civil Engineer
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Attachment #2 – Proposed Easement Grant Deed
Attachment #3 – Offer to Purchase from SCE
Attachment #4 – SCE TUG Fact Sheet
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2025\082625\SCE Underground Easement staff report.docx