PROJECT NO. CIP 97-182 MYRTLE AVENUE UNDERGROUNDING AND PROJECT NO. CIP 97-183 LOMA DRIVE UNDERGROUNDING –
STATUS REPORT

 

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.

 

Summary:

This report covers the progress made to date in the two undergrounding districts. We have had 100% cooperation from the Myrtle District homeowners complying with the final notice to complete their conversions. Aside from two locations on Manhattan Avenue whose owners have received approval for financial assistance, all other locations in the Myrtle District are fully compliant.

In the Loma District, of 221 locations, 76 already had underground services, 12 have had the electrical service completed while cable or telephone remain overhead, 119 are in compliance, two have received approval for financial assistance to complete the work and 14 have not responded to the City’s notices. The final notice was sent via certified mail with return receipts to the fourteen homeowners notifying them that they had until March 15, 2001 to complete their conversions or be considered non-compliant.

Eight of the fourteen receipts have been received to date. Four of the fourteen property owners have begun the conversion work. Two claim that the homes on the properties will be demolished and new construction will begin soon and one property owner has informed the City that he will not comply with the final notice although he has been approved for financial assistance. Should this property owner remain non-compliant, Staff will order the work as provided for in the City of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code. As a consequence, the penalty fees, cost of conversion by the City and all administrative costs will be assessed to his property. The assessment may become a tax levied against the property.

The punch lists based on City and Edison inspection reports have been finalized. The homeowners with deficiencies are being contacted and advised that they are to correct the problems or be considered non-compliant.

Edison has been working in the Myrtle District since February 1, 2001. Rain-related emergencies called the crews away so only 17 days were actually worked in the district. They have, however, already finished the primary wiring in the district and are in the process of installing the secondary cabling for the district. They predict that the poles in that district will be removed by the end of June 2001.

They plan to begin in the Loma District once the Myrtle District has been completed. Edison has only one crew assigned to do the work in both districts with no increase in personnel in the foreseeable future. Verizon is scheduled to begin their portion of the undergrounding during the second week of March and estimate completion by May 31, 2001.

 

Work Completed :

The per original design plan work related to the substructure installation of ducts for electricity, telephone and cable television has been completed. The placement of vaults, pull boxes, hand-holes and laterals to residents as indicated on the initially drawn plans have been also completed. Pavement repairs, striping, and final clean up of the reconstructed areas within the project have been completed. Primary wiring in the Myrtle District in the public right-of-way has been completed.

 

Work in Progress:

Irish Construction is finishing the final capping paving on Palm Drive. They are also repairing some minor damage at 935 Sunset Drive and 309 26th Street. Secondary wiring and work on dips (transition wires from the underground to the overhead connection) in the Myrtle District are being completed.

 

Work Remaining:

Edison’s work in the Loma District has to be scheduled. Due to Edison’s shortage of manpower, only one crew is available to work in both districts and may be called away at any time to handle emergencies. Verizon is expected to begin work as scheduled and the cable work should be completed around the same time.

 

Conclusions:

Staff has received 100% cooperation from the property owners in the Myrtle District and still hopes to achieve the same level of cooperation in the Loma District. This will save a great deal of time and money in terms of unpredictable legal challenges by some disgruntled property owners, unwarranted hearings, leftover job bidding, writing of scopes, retaining new contractors, etc.

 

Fiscal Impact : -  None.

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