12A - UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT

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Set Public Hearing Date to Establish Underground Utility District No. 37 on Warner Avenue from Main to Grand July 17, 2018 Page 2 To establish a UUD, Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Section 37-2 requires that a public hearing be held to provide opportunity for public comment and to review the Engineer's Report for the project, which will include estimated project costs and time required to complete the project. A resolution would be presented at that time, should Council desire to approve the establishment of the UUD and move forward with the project. On May 14, 2018, the Public Works Agency presented to the Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget and Technology Council Committee the plan and the process to establish Warner Avenue from Main Street to Grand Avenue as Underground Utility District No. 37. Also consistent with SAMC Section 37-2, this segment of Warner Avenue has been assessed as a location in which undergrounding utilities would provide substantial public benefit with enhancements to public health, safety, and welfare due to the removal of existing obstructions to pedestrian access. Additionally, timing the utility undergrounding effort to coincide with the planned street improvements will result in significant cost savings and will minimize disruption to adjacent residents. Considering the time needed to coordinate with multiple utility companies, staff recommends the City Council set a public hearing on October 16, 2018, to adopt a resolution establishing Underground Utility District No. 37 (Exhibit 2) to meet the provisions in SAMC Sections 37-2 and 37-3. Prior to the public hearing date, the City will coordinate with all overhead utilities involved to identify associated overhead equipment that will be moved underground within the underground district. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #6 - Community Facilities & Infrastructure, Objective #1 (establish and maintain a Community Investment Plan for all City assets), Strategy C (invest resources and technology to extend the service life of existing infrastructure to protect the City's investment and support a high quality of life standard), Strategy G (develop and implement the City's Capital Improvement Program in coordination with the Community Investment and Deferred Maintenance Plans). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. 12A-2