MINUTES
of the
UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING TASK FORCE
MEETING
Monday, August 15, at 4:00 p.m.
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, Rm. 421
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Chris Coghlan called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
Present: Steven Aronowitz Robert Macray
Chris Coghlan Jane Martin
Josh Crandall Richard Millet
Steve Currier John Newlin
Gino Graziano (Comcast) Bob Pickard (SBC)
Jimi Harris (PG&E) Dan Weaver
Absent: John Bitterman Lynn Fong (DPW)
John Brooke Marla Jurosek
Jon Rubin
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of July 18, 2005 were approved as corrected.
3. REPORT BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR EDWIN M. LEE ON CURRENT UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
The current program, undergrounding of 42 miles, will be finished by next year with work being done to close up those miles, shortly thereafter; bulk of construction will be completed by the end of 2006. The program is out of money. Interested in Task Force ideas re future plans.
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Barbara Moy, DPW: supporting the Resource Committee and will be at the next meeting with a review of the San Diego model, e.g., how did San Diego implement undergrounding within its jurisdiction, could we use that model? What changes would have to be made to have that model apply here given our Charter and our Board; it would be very different here; can’t implement fees, taxes on the general public.
Mr. Lee: if San Diego’s model is appealing to group, DPW will get the information for the Task Force; will also provide information on undergrounding programs in other cities.
Important to study San Diego because the undergrounding came with street resurfacing; in SF undergrounding is all in the sidewalks and therefore does not instigate street resurfacing.
Mr. Weaver: San Diego did a streetscape improvement and sold it via funding with 3.53% surcharge onto everyone’s utility bill; did streetlights, street tree planting. slurry seal on every block face and new disabled ramps on all corners; funded by Rule 20A funding and a surcharge; 18 miles of 2005 undergrounding and is about 50% complete.
Mr. Graziani: cost to bury conduit is high in SF Bay Area near coast because of salt water and air; reliability and cost is higher.
Grace Ma, Dept. of the Environment, suggested that the TF look at the City of Portland as well as San Diego; Portland had a citizens’ task force and it published a report. She said that she would send the information to the Task Force.
Supervisor Bevan Dufty, author of the resolution establishing the Task Force appeared to explain his vision for the Task Force, and plans for modifying certain aspects when he introduces a resolution to extend its life as it expires on September 1. Members made suggestions for an ending dates. Supervisor Dufty said he wanted to defer certain issues to City Administrator Edwin Lee because of his involvement with undergrounding as the Director of the Dept. of Public Works. Mr. Lee mentioned that he takes issue with the Rule 20A credits in that San Francisco suffers when compared with a city like San Diego because it is so much older; that its infrastructure is more compacted and more expensive to maintain. He suggested that we might ask the state to forgive credits.
Ms. Moy stated that department representatives should not have a vote on the Task Force and that the group should get regular assistance from the Controller because of the potential for surtax funding.
Supervisor Dufty stated that he would introduce a resolution the next day calling for the Task Force to continue for six months and sunset in May; to request the City Attorney’s Utility
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August 15, 2005
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office and the Controller’s office to offer support; that the City department members and utility members continue their involvement as non-voting members.
City Administrator Lee suggested that the Task Force provide DPW with questions regarding the San Diego undergrounding program; it was agreed Dan McKenna, DPW would field questions from the members to submit to the Undergrounding Coordinator for the City of San Diego.
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mr. McKenna announced that the Task Force is now linked to the DPW Undergrounding website. Also, DPW is exploring two potiential small, Rule 20B projects: SBC is looking at an alley, one block off Grant Avenue and another project in the Outer Sunset. There is also a new community benefits district in Visitacion Valley that can tax itself.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Resources: Chair John Brooke was absent.
b. Site Selection: Chair, Dan Weaver.
c. Community Outreach: Mr. Aronowitz stated the committee did not meet.
d. Operations: John Bitterman, Chair. Mr. Pickard reporting. Dan McKenna made a presentation on the design and construction timeline for underground projects; showed an 18-month timeline from time project conceived and approved through engineering and construction. Streetlight selection, location and parking rules continue to be a problem with residents.
Mr. Millet asked if there is a financing program to help people sign up for undergrounding who cannot afford it. City Administrator Lee answered affirmatively for people who demonstrate a need for the stipend. Mr. McKenna stated that Oakland and San Jose provide a $1500 stipend which owners can forward to their own contractors.
6. ADJOURNMENT
By motion of Mr. Graziani and a second by Mr. Aronowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
