Staff is recommending that the City Council establish an Underground Utility District (UUD) on the east side of Hollenbeck Avenue, south of Conway Road for a distance of 271.82 feet, and north of Conway Road for a distance of 132.50 feet. The four utility poles and appurtenant conductors are the only remaining overhead utility facilities north of Fremont Avenue and south of Vanderbilt Drive on either side of Hollenbeck Avenue. Removal of these poles and appurtenant wires and cables will improve both the safety and aesthetics of the area, as well as create beneficial synergy with the Conway Road Improvement District approved by Council in July of 2000. If the Hollenbeck UUD is established, the Conway Improvement project will simultaneously underground overhead utilities on Conway Road, thereby making a significant upgrade of public infrastructure in this area.

Attachment A to this report to Council is a proposed Resolution of Preliminary Determination and Intention to Establish the Hollenbeck Avenue Underground Utility District as described on Exhibit A. Exhibit A shows four residential parcels that will be affected by this district. To proceed with the creation of the District, a public hearing was proposed to be set for January 8, 2002; however, due to some procedural irregularities encountered, the hearing has been rescheduled to January 29, 2002.

On July 18, 2000, the City Council established the Conway Road Improvement District. The Conway Road Improvement District was established to make public utility and roadway improvements to this private road that serves eleven single family residences. Because of pole configuration, in order to accomplish the underground conversion of overhead utilities on Conway, a significant length of the overhead utilities on Hollenbeck Avenue needs to be removed as well. However, not all the poles and conductors on that east side of Hollenbeck would be removed. Two would remain south of Conway.

Staff reviewed the issue and has concluded that the public interest is served best by undergrounding all the existing overhead utilities on the east side of Hollenbeck at the same time that the work on the Conway Road project is accomplished. The complete removal of the existing overhead utilities on Hollenbeck Avenue will improve the safety and aesthetics of Hollenbeck Avenue. As a major street, Hollenbeck is eligible for use of PG&E-administered Rule 20A funds.

The undergrounding of overhead utilities on Hollenbeck has not been previously programmed into the City’s Rule 20A program. However, doing the Hollenbeck/Conway area at the same time as the Conway project offers economies to both projects, and eliminates technical difficulties that would exist if some of the existing Hollenbeck utilities were to remain. In the last eight months, PG&E has reactivated their Rule 20 A program, thus making funds available for this project. PG&E has confirmed the eligibility of the proposed Hollenbeck UUD for Rule 20A funding.

The following is the tentative schedule for the Hollenbeck UUD:

Approximate cost for the Hollenbeck Avenue UUD project is $200,000. Funding is proposed to be City Rule 20A allocations. At the January 29, 2002 public hearing, if the project is adopted, Council will be advised of the need to approve a budget modification appropriating funds for the project when awarded.

Posting of the Council Agenda. This report is also available on the City’s Internet page and at the City Library. Affected residents will be provided by mail and posting at the site.

Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.

Prepared by:

Don Wimberly

Project Manager

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose

Director of Public Works

Mary Bradley

Director of Finance

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala

City Manager