s/media.alamedamp.com/assets/pub/2018/11/18-1105-5b-uud-update.pdf · facilities by means of the...

AGENDA ITEM NO.: 5.B.1 MEETING DATE: 11/05/2018

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT NO.: 2019-24

To: Honorable Public Utilities Board Submitted by: _________________ Andre Basler

AGM – Engineering and Operations

From: Gary Spenik Approved by: __________________ Project Manager Nicolas Procos

General Manager

Subject: By Motion, Approve and Recommend to the City Council the Establishment of the Otis/Broadway Underground Utility District

RECOMMENDATION

By motion, approve and recommend to the City Council the Establishment of the Otis/Broadway Underground Utility District.

BACKGROUND

The City of Alameda established Ordinance No. 2212, on September 18, 1984, creating regulations and procedures for removing overhead utility facilities and installing underground facilities by means of the underground utility districts (UUD).

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) is the lead City agency for the City’s UUD Program. The Program is funded through an UUD Fund established at AMP. AMP sets aside 2% of the annual electric retail sales revenues from residential and commercial customers for underground district projects.

Twenty-five UUDs have been completed in Alameda since 1984. However, there were issues that developed with the start of the Webster Street crossings UUD in 2011. These issues included the costs associated with service laterals and the maintenance of those service laterals.

The Public Utilities Board (Board) at its May 21, 2012, meeting approved recommending to the City Council the discontinuation of work on Phase 6 of the Underground District Program. The Board tasked staff with redesigning the undergrounding process due to concerns voiced by the members of the Webster Street crossings project. The City Council accepted the Board’s recommendation on July 7, 2012, and directed staff to develop a Utility Underground District Master Plan.

On March 3, 2015, the City Council approved the redesigned Underground Utility District Policy. The revised UUD Program has a five step process:

1. The District Nominating Board (DNB) recommends a set of UUDs for TechnicalAdvisory Committee (TAC) consideration

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AGENDA ITEM NO.: 5.B.2

MEETING DATE: 11/05/2018 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT NO.: 2019-24

2. The TAC reviews the DNB’s list of nominated UUDs and selects one to four for City

Council consideration 3. TAC presents one to four proposed UUD(s) at a Town Hall Meeting and collects

feedback 4. Following the town hall, a District Selection Survey is mailed to all customers in the

proposed UUD(s). Based on the survey feedback and Board consent, the TAC recommends a prioritized UUD list to the City Council for approval

5. City Council Approval On April 5, 2016, the City Council appointed four members from the public and one member from Public Works to the DNB. The DNB met seven times between June 30, 2016, and December 8, 2016. All meetings were public meetings and meeting minutes and other materials were posted to AMP’s webpage.

The DNB recommended the following areas be forwarded to the TAC for consideration.

District Nomination Board Recommended List of UUDs

1. Otis Drive- High Street to Broadway and south of Otis Drive, including Broadway, Pearl Street, Versailles Avenue, Mound Street, Waterton Street and Court Street

2. Webster Street - all crossings - Central Avenue to Pacific Avenue including Eagle Avenue - West of Constitution Way

3. Broadway - Buena Vista Ave to Clement Ave

4. Broadway - La Jolla Drive to Encinal Avenue; La Jolla Drive

5. Central Avenue - Eighth St to Webster Street including Garden Way

6. Fernside Boulevard from Encinal Avenue to High Street, including lines on Lincoln Park access road

7. Park Street - San Jose Avenue to Otis Drive

The TAC, composed of members from the impacted utilities and one member of the Public Works Department, reviewed the technical feasibilities of moving lines underground in the areas recommended by the DNB. The TAC recommended moving forward with four of the seven areas that had been proposed by the DNB.

These four areas were combined into two districts:

Otis/Broadway District – along Otis Drive from High Street to Broadway Street including streets south of Otis Drive (i.e. Pearl Street, Versailles Avenue, Mound Street, Waterton Street and Court Street); and along Broadway Street from La Jolla Drive to Encinal Avenue.

Webster Crossings District – all Webster Street crossings from Taylor Avenue to Buena Vista Avenue including Eagle Avenue, west of Constitution Way; and along Central Avenue from Eighth Street to Webster Street.



AMP held a town hall meeting on February 28, 2018, to present these two recommended areas to the public for information and to gather feedback. Approximately 25 residents attended. The majority of the attendees were highly supportive of undergrounding the utilities in Alameda. Several individuals were concerned with the disruption that would be caused by construction.

Staff sent a letter in July 2018 to owners and tenants located within the proposed districts inviting them to respond to an online survey by the end of August 2018 to indicate if they were in favor of the proposed undergrounding. The response to the survey is summarized below and is attached as Exhibit A:

. Invitations Sent Responses In Favor Not In

Favor

Otis/Broadway District 303 41 40 1

Webster Crossings District 270 32 18 14

Survey respondents not in favor of the proposed UUD were asked to provide the primary reason for not supporting the district. Most of these responses indicated that individuals were concerned about costs they might incur during the conversion and in the future for maintenance of their underground service lateral.

DISCUSSION

Based on the feedback received from public meetings and the directed survey, the TAC is recommending approval of the proposed Otis/Broadway UUD.

The proposed Otis/Broadway UUD includes the number one and number four priority areas recommended by the DNB. Only one survey respondent was not in favor of this district with the reason given that they were concerned the construction may damage the foundation of their house.

While the total number of survey responses was not high, the number of negative responses to the proposed Webster Crossings District stands in stark contrast to the Otis/Broadway District. This current opposition, combined with the fact that previous opposition for undergrounding this area led to the discontinuation of the previous undergrounding program in 2012, led to the staff recommendation to not approve this district at this time.

Staff plans to review the costs of maintaining and repairing underground service laterals and may recommend that these costs be picked up by AMP.

If the Otis/Broadway District is approved by the City Council at its January 15, 2019 meeting, the TAC will begin the process to engineer and construct the undergrounding of the district.



FINANCIAL IMPACT

The funds for this activity are budgeted in AMP’s account for the UUD Fund.

LINKS TO BOARD POLICY AND OBJECTIVES

KRA 1: System Resiliency Goal 3.2: Replace AMP infrastructure Initiative 3.2.1: UUD Shovel Ready

EXHIBITS

A. UUD Survey Results B. Presentation: “UUD Program Recommendations”

1 | www.opentownhall.com/6424 Created with OpenGov | October 9, 2018, 9:30 AM

Proposed Webster Street Crossings

Underground Utility DistrictOctober 9, 2018, 9:30 AM

Contents

i. Introduction 2

ii. Summary of responses 3

AGENDA ITEM NO.: 5.BMEETING DATE: 11/05/2018

EXHIBIT A

Introduction

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), which administers the city of Alameda’s undergrounding program, is conducting a

survey on a proposal to move overhead utility lines underground in two areas of the city. Undergrounding of utility lines

consists of placing overhead lines – including electric, telephone, cable television and other telecommunications --

underground in a trench beneath the street. Connections to homes and businesses in the area would also be

undergrounded.

Residents and owners within these two proposed areas are receiving this survey because they will be impacted by the

construction work to move the utility lines underground. The technical advisory committee for the undergrounding

program plans to make a recommendation to the Alameda City Council to do the construction work in these areas. After

approval, the design phase will take up to 18 months, followed by twenty four to thirty six months for construction.

There is no cost to property owners unless their service lateral exceeds 100 feet. Existing funds will go toward the

project. AMP sets aside 2 percent of its gross electric revenues each year for undergrounding projects.

Learn more: https://www.alamedamp.com/working-with-amp/undergrounding

Your property/residence is within the proposed area defined as:

WEBSTER CROSSING DISTRICT - All Webster Street crossings from Taylor Avenue to Buena Vista Avenue including

Eagle Avenue, west of Constitution Way; and along Central Avenue from Eighth Street to Webster Street.


Proposed Webster Street Crossings Underground Utility District

Please tell us whether you support creating an underground utility district in this location.

Summary Of Responses

As of October 9, 2018, 9:30 AM, this forum had: Topic Start Topic End

Attendees: 46 June 14, 2018, 4:08 PM October 1, 2018, 3:05 PM

Responses: 32

Hours of Public Comment: 1.6

QUESTION 1

Are you in favor of creating the Webster Crossings underground utility district as described in the introduction?

% Count

Yes 56.3% 18

No 43.8% 14

QUESTION 2

If No, primary reason:

Answered 13

Skipped 19

0 2 all also any area before cost customers do don due during financial flooding from future high homeowner homeowners

insurance lateral maintenance month more only option owner power property repairs residences responsible

service t tides underground understand want wiring

QUESTION 3

Please select which describes you best:

% Count

Owner 78.1% 25

Tenant 21.9% 7




QUESTION 4

Please enter the full address of your house/residence/business within the proposed district. Your address will

not be published online with your response.

Answered 30

Skipped 2

711 716 727 752 94501 alameda apt ave avenue c ca central clara haight santa st taylor

QUESTION 5

Do you plan on upgrading or modifying your Electric Service in the next two years?

% Count

Yes 9.7% 3

No 90.3% 28

QUESTION 6

Thank you for taking this survey, if you would like to receive further updates please leave your email address

below. Your email address will not be published in this website with your response.

Answered 17

Skipped 15

com comcast gmail net yahoo




Question 2 Comments: Webster Crossings Costs

Why specific area and not the whole island

i don't want to pay for it bec living costs are already too high in Alameda

You only plan to do half of our block - you want to update Webster Street, but the rest of us don't fit into you plan so we get a half-assed project. I also object to the fact that you only notify homeowners whose property falls into the exact area that you want to underground, even though the rest of the block will be affected. Not a genuine effort here, which is why many homeowners do not trust what you are doing.

Expensive (ultimately funded by ratepayers) with no demonstrated value other than aesthetic. City claims to be underfunded, and this is not a good spending priority. Also, construction is disruptive.

The cost to the owner

There is no mention of insurance on the wiring that we would be expected to maintain. This is a better proposal than before, but still not ideal and not inclusive of full disclosure.

initial and continuing cost in a seismic area.

I am living on a low income and am concerned about my financial responsibility for the underground wiring. I also understand the homeowner is responsible for maintaining and repairing any of the wiring near their home. I understand from another neighbor that homeowners should have the option of buying insurance on the wires but I have not heard this option being made available.

earthquakes can create damages underground and may be even more costly to rebuild in the future plus cost of funding which can be allocated to major priority government subsidy

more homeowner financial responsibilities (maintenance of lateral, repairs, etc.)

1. The original ordinance to underground power was created in 1984 before global warming effects were part of the equation. We live on an island that experiences flooding from heavy rains due to our storm drains inability to operate effectively during high tides. And Alameda is predicted to be at risk of future flooding during high tides due to the expected sea level rise of 2 feet in the next 60 years (underground power and water do not mix). 2. The property owner is responsible for the cost involved in all repairs to the abandoned overhead power conduit on their property and/or any damage to their landscape/hardscape from the groundwork to install the underground power and telecommunications. 3. Single-family owner occupied residences are the only category that the program aims to fund. Any service upgrade shifts the entire undergrounding cost to the property owner and all multi family residences and rental properties are 100% responsible for the cost. 4. The customer will own the underground service lateral from the service point to the meter and is responsible for maintenance and/or repair. Cost of insurance from AMP is to be determined but is estimated at $0.005/month for residential customers and $0.42/month for commercial customers.

Don't want digging in neighborhood.


Proposed Otis/Broadway Underground

Utility DistrictOctober 9, 2018, 10:12 AM

Contents

i. Introduction 2

ii. Summary of responses 3

Introduction

Introduction

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), which administers the city of Alameda’s undergrounding program, is conducting a

survey on a proposal to move overhead utility lines underground in two areas of the city. Undergrounding of utility lines

consists of placing overhead lines – including electric, telephone, cable television and other telecommunications --

underground in a trench beneath the street. Connections to homes and businesses in the area would also be

undergrounded.

Residents and owners within these two proposed areas are receiving this survey because they will be impacted by the

construction work to move the utility lines underground. The technical advisory committee for the undergrounding

program plans to make a recommendation to the Alameda City Council to do the construction work in these areas. After

approval, the design phase will take up to 18 months, followed by twenty four to thirty six months for construction.

There is no cost to property owners unless their service lateral exceeds 100 feet. Existing funds will go toward the

project. AMP sets aside 2 percent of its gross electric revenues each year for undergrounding projects.

Learn more: https://www.alamedamp.com/working-with-amp/undergrounding

Your property/residence is within the proposed area defined as:

OTIS/BROADWAY DISTRICT - along Otis Drive from High Street to Broadway including streets south of Otis Drive (i.e.

Pearl Street, Versailles Avenue, Mound Street, Waterton Street and Court Street); AND along Broadway Street from La

Jolla to Encinal Avenue.


Proposed Otis/Broadway Underground Utility District


Summary Of Responses

As of October 9, 2018, 10:12 AM, this forum had: Topic Start Topic End

Attendees: 51 May 7, 2018, 4:48 PM October 1, 2018, 3:02 PM

Responses: 41

Hours of Public Comment: 2.1

QUESTION 1

Are you in favor of creating the Otis/Broadway underground utility district as described in the introduction?

% Count

Yes 97.6% 40

No 2.4% 1

QUESTION 2

If No, primary reason:

Answered 1

Skipped 40

QUESTION 3

Please select which describes you best:

% Count

Owner 100.0% 41

QUESTION 4

Please enter the full address of your house/residence/business within the proposed district. Your address will

not be published online with your response.




Answered 35

Skipped 6

QUESTION 5

Do you plan on upgrading or modifying your Electric Service in the next two years?

% Count

Yes 4.9% 2

No 95.1% 39

QUESTION 6

Thank you for taking this survey, if you would like to receive further updates please leave your email address

below. Your email address will not be published in this website with your response.

Answered 19

Skipped 22




Question 2 Comments: We've already had EBMUD doing construction around our home for years, involving constant digging. We worry that it's affecting our home's foundation.

5 November 2018

1

Underground Utility District (UUD) Program Recommendations

AGENDA ITEM NO.: 5.B MEETING DATE: 11/05/2018

EXHIBIT B

Overview

Agenda I. Background II. Proposed Districts III. Recommendations IV. Questions

2

Background

3

• The city initiated an effort in 1984 to beautify Alameda by relocating overhead utilities underground.

• This is accomplished by designating Utility Underground Districts (UUDs) through a city ordinance. Any overhead utility facilities within the UUD must be converted to underground facilities.

• Program Funding: All customers, through a 2% component of AMP’s electric revenue, pay into the UUD Fund which funds the undergrounding of overhead utility facilities, pole removals, and street light wire connection.

Background

4

• Approximately 50% of Alameda is already undergrounded.

• Council approved the redesigned undergrounding policy in 2015.

UUD Program

5

(TAC)

(TAC)

DNB Nominated Areas

6

DNBRank

1 Otis Dr- High to Broadway and south of Otis Dr including Broadway, Pearl St, Versailles Ave, Mound St, Waterton St and Court St

2 Webster St. - all crossings - Taylor Ave to Buena Vista Ave including Eagle Ave - West of Constitution Way

3 Broadway (Buena Vista Ave to Clement Ave)

4 Broadway - La Jolla Dr to Encinal Ave; La Jolla Dr

5 Central Ave - Eighth St to Webster St

6 Fernside Blvd – Encinal Ave to High St, Include lines on Lincoln Park access road

7 Park St - San Jose Ave to Otis Dr

TAC Proposed Districts

7

• Otis/Broadway District – along Otis Drive from High Street to Broadway including streets south of Otis Drive (i.e. Pearl Street, Versailles Avenue, Mound Street, Waterton Street and Court Street); and along Broadway from La Jolla Drive to Encinal Avenue.

• Webster Crossings District – all

Webster Street crossings from Taylor Avenue to Buena Vista Avenue including Eagle Avenue, west of Constitution Way; and along Central Avenue from Eight Street to Webster Street.

Public Feedback

8

• Town Hall Meeting – February 28, 2018 • Approximately 25 attendees • Majority of attendees were highly supportive of the undergrounding program. • A few attendees expressed concern about the construction phase.

• Survey - August 2018

. Invitations

Sent Responses In Favor Not In Favor

Otis/Broadway District 303 41 40 1

Webster Crossings District 270 32 18 14

Recommendations

• Approve and recommend to the City Council Establishment of the Otis/Broadway Underground Utility District. – 98% of survey responses in favor

• Not recommending the proposed Webster Crossings District at this time. – Only 56% of survey responses in favor – Significant concerns voiced in survey comments – History of opposition from previous undergrounding

attempt

9

Next Steps

10

• City Council – January 15, 2019

• Design – 12 to 18 months

• Construction 24 to 36 months

Questions?

11

[email protected]

Gary Spenik [email protected] (510) 814-6404 Alameda Municipal Power

Service Lateral

• Recurring concerns by residents – Ownership

• In Alameda, customer owns the underground service conductor from the service point to the meter panel.

• Other electric utilities typically own the conductor. – Conversion Costs

• Customer costs eliminated under revised program • Under old program customer was responsible for $1,910

(2011) for electric and additional for cable and telephone. – Maintenance

• Currently, customers are responsible for repairs to their underground service laterals

• Prior to conversion, AMP would repair their overhead lateral

12

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