City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Rosemary Lozada, Management Analyst
Subject
Southern California Edison Utility Agreement for the Atlantic Blvd. Bridge Widening Project Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is within the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15063 of the CEQA Guidelines; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Utility Agreement SCE-01 with Southern California Edison (SCE) for the telecommunication work required for the rehabilitation and widening of the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge in substantially the same form as submitted for a total amount not-to-exceed $$278,998.00.
Background
The Atlantic Boulevard Bridge, originally constructed in 1931, is a vital regional corridor that currently carries over 50,000 vehicles daily. Due to its age and narrow pedestrian and vehicular lanes, the bridge no longer meets modern traffic demands. As part of the ongoing Atlantic Boulevard Bridge Widening Project, various utility relocations, improvements, and related work are required by multiple agencies and utility providers to accommodate the project improvements. In this case, Southern California Edison (SCE) is required to relocate existing telecommunications facilities along Atlantic Boulevard from overhead to underground.
The proposed work consists of relocating existing Southern California Edison (SCE) telecommunications facilities along Atlantic Boulevard from overhead to underground. The work will include the construction of the necessary underground utility infrastructure and installation of a temporary alignment to maintain continuity of service during construction. Upon completion of the underground facilities, the existing overhead facilities will be relocated and/or removed as required. The work is being performed in coordination with the City’s Atlantic Boulevard Bridge Widening Project and is necessary to accommodate the project improvements and utility relocation requirements.
Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Sections 3.32.110 (A)(2) and 3.32.110 (B)(1), the proposed work is exempt from competitive bidding and competitive selection, as SCE is the owner of the telecommunications facilities and the work will be performed by SCE. Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(A), City Council approval is required for contracts with a total lifetime value exceeding $100,000.
This Utility Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 4: Enhance Community Infrastructure and Facilities Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $278,998.00. SCE will be reimbursed when work is completed and an invoice(s) is submitted during the different phases. Sufficient funds will be made available in the General Fund, Public Works Department, Capital Outlay Account No. 011-040-430-660000 and will be budgeted in the FY27-28 subsequent fiscal years.
Attachments
1. Utility Agreement No. SCE-01