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CC - Adoption of a Resolution (1) Finding that the Public Health, Safety or Welfare Requires the Formation of Underground Utility District No. 12 on La Cienega Boulevard, Beginning Approximately 700 feet North of Kenneth Hahn Bridge and Ending 650 Feet South of Wrightcrest Drive; (2) Declaring the Formation of Such District; and (3) Ordering the Removal and Underground Installation of Utility Facilities in Such District
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Contact Person/Dept: Mate Gaspar / Public Works
Phone Number: (310) 253-5602
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/21/15); (Mail) Public Notification to each parcel owner within 500 feet of proposed district (10/13/15); (Mail) Public Notification of all Affected Utilities in the proposed district (10/13/15)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director / City Engineer (10/14/15)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution (1) finding that the public health, safety or welfare requires the formation of Underground Utility District No. 12, on La Cienega Boulevard, beginning approximately 700 feet north of Kenneth Hahn Bridge and ending 650 feet south of Wrightcrest Drive; (2) declaring the formation of such District; and (3) ordering the removal and underground installation of utility facilities in such District.
PROCEDURE:
1. Mayor seeks motion to receive and file the affidavits of publication and posting of notices and correspondence received in response to the public hearing notices; and,
2. Mayor calls for a staff report, and the City Council Members may pose questions to staff as desired; and,
3. Mayor seeks a motion to open the public hearing; and,
4. Mayor seeks a motion to close the public hearing after all public testimony has been presented; and,
5. The City Council discusses the item and arrives at its decision.
BACKGROUND
On September 28, 2015, the City Council adopted Resolution 2015-R074 that called for a public hearing for October 26, 2015, to determine whether the public health, safety or welfare requires the formation of Underground Utility District 12 located on La Cienega Boulevard. The Los Angeles County Public Works Department has requested Culver City to adopt a resolution authorizing the undergrounding of utility poles, within the City’s jurisdiction, in order for the County to construct a new pedestrian bridge over La Cienega Boulevard.
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Park to Playa Trail Project is an approximately 13 mile trail system, consisting of seven segments including the Stocker Corridor in Los Angeles County, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Eastern and Western and Ridge Trails, KHSRA Valley, Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority property, and Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.
The Blair Hills segment (Project) will include a trail connecting Kenneth Hahn Park to the east, a pedestrian bridge over La Cienega Boulevard, and the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the west. There will also be landscaping, retaining walls, and utility relocation as part of the scope of work. The Project spans the jurisdictions of the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Culver City. Other agencies and entities involved include the State of California, Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority (BHRCA), the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), the State Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), Chevron, Freeport-McMoRan Oil and Gas, and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
In order to construct the proposed bridge over La Cienega Boulevard, the existing above ground utility poles will have to be undergrounded. The northbound lanes of La Cienega are within the jurisdiction of Culver City. The southbound lanes are within the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles. The public health, safety or welfare requires such undergrounding in order to allow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to construct the new pedestrian bridge over La Cienega Boulevard, which will provide safe and uninterrupted access for pedestrian and bicycle users.
Culver City Municipal Code Section 5.04 details the procedures for formation of an underground utility district, removal of overhead utility facilities, and installation of underground facilities. Since 1968, 11 UUDs have been formed in the City.
All affected utilities and property owners within 500 feet were sent notice of tonight’s public hearing.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to the City. No City funds will be required, either for construction or future maintenance. The project costs will be funded by Los Angeles County allocated Tariff Rule 20A funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Legal Description “Exhibit A”
3. Map “Exhibit B” showing the area where the utility poles are proposed to be undergrounded on La Cienega Avenue between Wrightcrest and Kenneth Hahn Bridge
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution (1) finding that the public health, safety or welfare requires the formation of Underground Utility District No. 12, on La Cienega Boulevard, beginning approximately 700 feet north of Kenneth Hahn Bridge and ending 650 feet south of Wrightcrest Drive; (2) declaration the formation of such District; and (3) ordering the removal and undergrounding installation of utility facilities in such District.