1. Underground Utilities Special Activity Fund (Underground Surtax)
City Council
Item 4
February 4, 2019

2. Recommendation Continue Underground Utilities Surtax
Use Surtax funds for all purposes stated in Ordinance
Expenditures subject to City Council approval
Continue Underground Utility Districts Program 
PWP is neutral
MSC approved continuation of both programs

3. Two Independent Decisions
Underground Surtax PMC (4.24):
Generates ~$5.5 million annually
Can be used for various purposes allowed by Ordinance
Options- Continue, Suspend, or Terminate?
Recommended
Underground Utility Districts Program (PMC 13.14)
Converts approximately 0.5 to 0.7 miles per year
Options - Continue or Discontinue?
Staff is Neutral

4. Allowed Surtax Fund Uses
Underground Utility District Projects
New Underground Utilities
Additions, construction and extensions (electric system, communication, street lights, traffic signals..)
Replacement and Repair of Previously Converted Utilities
Customer Rebates for Undergrounding

5. Surtax Provides Greater Benefits
Greater Community-Wide Benefits
Increased reliability of electricity
Improved street lights
Improved traffic control systems
Expanded fiber optic communication network
Reduced burden on General Fund
Reduced size of Future Electric Rate Increases
Public Necessity – Health – Safety – Welfare – Improved Infrastructure - Cost Effective

6. Conceptual Surtax Fund Uses ($000)
Spending Category
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
Total
Underground District Projects (PW & PWP)
835
760
7,650
10,550
8,700
28,495
Surtax Funded Customer Rebates 50
100
450
PWP Funded Underground Utilities
4,200
4,500
21,900
Other Departments’ Underground Utilities
PW Street Lighting Associated with Conversion Projects
500
2,000
PW Replacement and Repair of Underground Electric Utilities (Street Lights)
400
DOT Underground Communications Utilities (Traffic)
200
800
DoIT Underground Communications Utilities (Telecom Fund)
245
180
150
120
815
Total Expenditures
5,330
6,040
13,200
16,070
14,220
54,860

7. Projected Surtax Fund Balance ($000)
Spending Category
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
Initial Balance
47,544
50,709
51,479
51,554
44,469
34,444
Revenues
5,777
5,600
Interest
732
500
515
516
445
344
Subtotal
54,053
56,809
57,594
57,669
50,514
40,388
Total Expenditures
(3,344)
(5,330)
(6,040)
(13,200)
(16,070)
(14,220)
Year-End Fund Balance
26,168

8. Underground Electric Repair

9. Other Underground Utilities
Fiber Optic Communications
Street Light Electrical
Traffic Control

10. Underground Utility Districts
Completed Streets

11. Current Status District Length (mi) Cost ($M) Cost per Mile ($M/mi)
Cost Per Property ($)
Hill Avenue
1.4 10 7
47,300
Alpine Street
0.6
2.1
4.5
46,100
Mountain Street
9.0
15.3
155,200
N Raymond
2.0 24
12.0
97,200
Hill and Alpine streets are completed/nearly completed
Mountain and Raymond approved but not worked on pending Council decision

12. Informal Community Feedback

13. Thank You

14. Past Spending Outside of Established Utility Districts
Category/Project
$000
Miscellaneous Undergrounding Projects and Customer Rebates
$2,709
La Loma Bridge
$2,165
Pasadena Ice Rink
$258
PW Design & Planning for Future Districts
$112
Other Miscellaneous
$26
Total Expenses Outside of UG Districts
$5,271
FY2019 Approved Budget for Outside of UG Districts
Communications $ 0.6 Million PWP- Undergrounding $ 6.2 Million

15. Category Miles and Timeline
About ¼ of the City’s OH utility lines are not suitable for undergrounding
The overall year timelines is based on current funding and costs

16. UUP Street Categories Category Type Total Length I Arterial Roads
Collector Roads
126 Miles
75 Mile Completed
51 Miles Remain II
Residential
Rear Property Easements
Alleys
94 Miles
Total
220 Miles