To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Award of Design and Engineering Services Agreement for the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Rule 20B Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Award and authorize the Chair to execute a three-year professional services agreement with Coastland Civil Engineering, LLP in the amount of $327,335, plus a 10% contingency of $32,733.52, for a total amount not to exceed $360,069, to provide engineering, land surveying, and composite underground utility design services for the Rule 20B Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 Project. (Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
On March 15, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution establishing the area designated as Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 as an underground utility district pursuant to Chapter 25A of the Sonoma County Code. Establishing the district allows for the undergrounding of existing overhead utilities through a Rule 20B project. Public Infrastructure is requesting Board approval of a professional services agreement for engineering, land surveying, and composite underground utility design services, with Coastland Civil Engineering, LLP for the Rule 20B Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 Project.
Discussion:
In October 2017, the Larkfield Estates area incurred damage from the Tubbs Fire. Since that time, the neighborhood has been in the process of rebuilding. To date, most of the homes in the neighborhood have been rebuilt; however, some of the electrical, phone, and cable TV infrastructures still exist on utility poles.
On March 15, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution establishing the area designated as Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 as an underground utility district pursuant to Chapter 25A of the Sonoma County Code. Establishing the district allows for the undergrounding of existing overhead utilities through a Rule 20B project. Award of a design engineering services agreement will be the first step in the delivery of the undergrounding project. The purpose of the project is to remove existing overhead lines and place electric, communication, and cable TV services underground in conformance with surrounding neighborhoods.
Public Infrastructure issued a request for proposals (RFP) for design and engineering services on December 15, 2022, with proposals due January 20, 2023. The RFP sought qualified engineering firms to provide engineering, land surveying, and composite underground utility design in the Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1 that incurred damage from the Tubbs fire. Only one proposal was received. Staff reviewed the proposal and determined it was responsive and negotiated an agreement with Coastland Civil Engineering, LLP.
Approval of the agreement with Coastland for the Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District project will begin an expected project timeline of 5 to 7 years for completion of construction, which is typical for this type of project.
Rule 20 is a set of policies and procedures established by the California Public Utilities Commission to regulate the conversion of overhead electric equipment to underground facilities, a process called "undergrounding". If an area is not eligible for Rule 20A or if local government cannot or chooses not to rely on the Rule 20A allocation process, Rule 20B allows an undergrounding project. The undergrounding is paid for by the applicant with a credit or subsidy for the cost of new equivalent overhead system and removal of the existing overhead system. Accordingly, the County is primarily responsible for the cost associated with the project.
The proposed agreement with Coastland is for three years in an amount not to exceed $360,069, inclusive of contingency, and will be funded by District 4, PG&E Tier 2 Settlement funds.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency
Goal: Goal 1: Continue to invest in wildfire preparedness and resiliency strategies
Objective: Objective 1: Support carbon eliminating microgrid technology in communities and energy grid resilience to reduce impact of power loss during power shutdowns and natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes) through education and legislative advocacy, prioritizing vulnerable populations.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
2022‐03‐15 - Board approved Resolution #22‐0086 establishing Larkfield Estates Underground Utility District No. 1
2023-04-18 - item 44 2024-2025 Pavement Preservation Funding, Graton Mitigation Funds and Modified Tier 2 PG&E Settlement Funds List of Projects.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance (PG&E Tier 2 Settlement) |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
$120,023 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations for this contract are included in the Roads Capital (11051-34010103) FY23-24 adopted budget. Expenditures for future fiscal years will be included in future Roads Recommended budgets. Funding for this work is District 4, PG&E Tier 2 Settlement funds.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Agreement
Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.