COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

September 24, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 8, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Middlefield Road Underground Utility District (Phase II) - Fifth Avenue to MacArthur Avenue - Redwood City Area

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution fixing a time and place for a public hearing on the formation of an underground utility district on Middlefield Road from Fifth Avenue to MacArthur Avenue. (November 5, 2002, at 9:00 a.m.)

Previous Board Action

1)

Accepted the Middlefield Road Public Corridor Study as a guide to improve the Middlefield Road Corridor. The Study recommended undergrounding of utilities along the Corridor.

2)

Adopted an ordinance specifying the procedures to be used in forming underground utility districts.

Key Facts

1.

The North Fair Oaks Council has reaffirmed that the undergrounding of the utilities along the Middlefield Road Corridor is a high priority and supports the formation of an underground utility district along this section of Middlefield Road (Phase II).

2.

Section 4.40.020 of the County Ordinance Code requires a public hearing before an underground utility district can be formed.

Discussion

The Middlefield Road Public Corridor Study was conducted to address concerns raised at public meetings conducted by the North Fair Oaks Council. The study boundaries included Middlefield Road from the Atherton Town Limit to the Redwood City Limit (Ninth to Douglas Avenues). The first phase extended from the Atherton Town Limit to and through the Fifth Avenue intersection. The proposed underground area for Phase II extends from Fifth Avenue to MacArthur Avenue.

Undergrounding improvements in Phase II include the facilities of Pacific Gas and Electric (P.G. & E.), Pacific Bell, AT&T Broadband, AT&T Fiber Optics, and the Menlo Park Highway Lighting District.

The conversion of electrical service on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. We estimate from previous conversion projects and a review of the project area that the cost per parcel will range from $3,000 - $5,000, as the property within the proposed underground utility district consists primarily of commercial and multi-family housing units. These units normally have more complex electrical services that are more costly to convert to accept underground service.

Notices will be sent to the affected property owners in the Phase II area indicating the impact of the proposed underground utility district and notifying them of the public hearing.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to be a "responsive, effective and collaborative government" and Goal Number 20 "government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain" as the undergrounding of utilities meets the long term goal of improving the corridor as expressed by the community through the Corridor Study.

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact associated with setting the hearing. The cost for undergrounding all overhead transmission and distribution facilities within the road right-of-way, if the formation of a district is approved, is proposed to be financed with the Public Utility Commission "Rule 20A" funds allocated to the County for conversion projects. It is estimated that the underground conversion work for this phase will be approximately $2,000,000 and sufficient "Rule 20A" funds are available to finance this phase. This equates into approximately four years worth of "Rule 20A" allotments.

The Menlo Park Highway Lighting District will incur the cost to install new street lights and a supporting electrical system. The installation cost of approximately 48 lights and conductors is $400,000.

There is no impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.