REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 29, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Schedule a Public Hearing and Adopt Resolutions of Intention to Consider Formation of Underground Utilities Districts Pursuant to the California Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve the following actions related to the formation of underground utility districts:
a. Adopt Resolution declaring the intent to form an underground utilities district for the Mission Boulevard Project, from Central Avenue to Benson Avenue, approximately 0.5 miles in length; and
b. Adopt Resolution declaring the intent to form an underground utilities district for the Valley Boulevard Project, from Cedar Avenue to Spruce Avenue, approximately 0.5 mile in length; and
c. Adopt Resolution declaring the intent to form an underground utilities district for a portion of the Beech Avenue Project, from Merrill Avenue to Fontana Avenue, approximately 1.0 mile in length.
2. Schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., to consider the formation of the underground utilities districts identified in Recommendation No. 1.
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to mail notice at least 10 days prior to the hearing, identified in Recommendation No. 2, to all affected property owners, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, and to all utility companies concerned, notifying them of the time and place of the public hearing.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Underground Utility District Project is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20A Program and managed and constructed by Southern California Edison (SCE). There is no financial impact to the County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CPUC Rule 20 is the tariff that governs the utility undergrounding of overhead wires at the request of third parties. The Rule 20 Program is currently split into three subdivisions, Rule 20A, Rule 20B, and Rule 20C, based on how much funding ratepayers contribute to the Underground Utility District Project. The Rule 20A Program (Program) allows utilities to annually allocate funds, defined as work credit to communities, to either cities or unincorporated areas of counties, to convert overhead electric facilities to underground. The Program primarily focuses on undergrounding overhead power lines for aesthetic and public benefit purposes, such as reducing visual clutter in communities.
To underground utility lines under Rule 20A, per the CPUC, projects must be in the public interest, meaning they must meet one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead lines;
(2) Involve a street or road with a high volume of public traffic with a minimum of 5,000 average trips per day;
(3) Wheelchair access is limited or impeded by existing above ground electric and/or telecommunications infrastructure
(4) Benefit a civic or public recreation area or area of unusual scenic interest; and/or
(5) Be listed as an arterial street or major collector as defined in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Guidelines.
The Department of Public Works - Transportation (Department) consulted with SCE regarding identifying potential projects in fire-prone areas. The discussions revealed that these areas are primarily located in the mountainous regions of the County, where there are minimal or no existing overhead electric facilities to be placed underground. As a result, utilizing Program funds for projects in the fire-prone areas is not feasible at this time.
The CPUC approved a $14,604,183 Program fund for the County to underground utilities for any qualified projects that match the Program's General Condition Policy. After the funds are allocated, the projects must be completed by December 31, 2033.
The Department investigated 17 potential roadway improvement projects that may qualify for the Rule 20A Program. Nine of the projects did not qualify since they are not listed as an arterial street or major collector as defined in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Guidelines. Five of the projects are not feasible because they involve existing transmission lines, including one telecommunication line, which would significantly increase costs and delay permitting, making it unlikely the credits could be used within the required timeframe. The remaining three projects are recommended as they are well-suited candidates based on the presence of existing overhead electric facilities, cost efficiency, and scheduling considerations:
• Eligible Project No. 1 - Mission Boulevard Improvement Project: This project spans approximately 0.5 miles from Central Avenue to Benson Avenue in the Fourth District.
• Eligible Project No. 2 - Valley Boulevard Improvement Project: This project extends approximately 0.5 miles from Cedar Avenue east to Spruce Avenue in the Bloomington area in the Fifth District.
• Eligible Project No. 3 - Beech Avenue Widening Project: This project extends approximately 1 mile from Merrill Avenue to Fontana Avenue in the Second District.
Formation of an underground utilities district is required to comply with the policies and procedures for Rule 20A undergrounding, as established by the CPUC, as well as Section 67.0205 of the San Bernardino County Code. SCE has stated that once Program funds are assigned through a County Resolution establishing an underground utility district, they are permanently allocated to the designated project, and any unused funds cannot be reallocated.
The Board may advance the eligible projects, pursuant to County Code Sections 67.0201 et seq., by adopting a resolution declaring its intention to form an underground utilities district for the purpose of undergrounding overhead electric distribution utility lines (Recommendation No. 1), and scheduling a public hearing for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., to consider the formation of an underground utilities district (Recommendation No. 2). At least ten days prior to the public hearing, the Board shall direct the Clerk of the Board to mail notice to all affected property owners, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, and to all utility companies concerned notifying them of the time and place of the public hearing (Recommendation No. 3). If the underground utilities district is formed, it will remain in perpetuity and any new utility construction within the boundary of the district must be placed underground.
PROCUREMENT
No procurement by the County is required. SCE, which is required to pay for the undergrounding project in advance, will contract to have the work done. The entire project will be coordinated by SCE.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 22, 2025; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on April 10, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 14, 2025.