MEMORANDUM
TO:
CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
GEOFF ENGLISH, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
PRESENTATION ON ,SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY PIPELINE SAFETY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT AND CONSIDERATION OF A WAIVER OF THE FIVE YEAR PAVEMENT TRENCH CUT PROHIBITION
DATE:
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council receive and comment on a presentation from Southern California Gas Company staff about the proposed Pipeline Safety Enhancement project; and approve a waiver of the Five Year Trench Cut Prohibition on new pavement for sections of West Branch Street and El Camino Real. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The City will receive a reimbursement from SoCalGas in the amount of $1,394 for previous expenses incurred to purchase a Caltrans encroachment permit for the Brisco Undercrossing paving project. There are no financial impacts of the proposed All project expenses will be paid by Southern California Gas recommendations. Company (SoCalGas). The fiscal impacts of SoCalGas cutting into recently paved street will be offset by larger restoration areas. BACKGROUND: Following the 2010 natural gas pipeline rupture· in San Bruno, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered the State's four natural gas transmission pipeline operators - Pacific Gas & Electric, Southwest Gas and San Diego Gas & Electric, as well as Southern California Gas Company -- to develop plans to replace or pressure test all natural gas transmission pipelines that have not been tested to modern standards. The intent was to adopt new safety and reliability regulations for natural gas pipelines, based upon lessons learned for the 2010 San Bruno incident. In response, SoCalGas submitted a Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) to implement the directives of the Commission to the CPUC. The SoCalGas plan was approved by the CPUC in June 2014. The approved plan is intended to enhance SoCalGas' pipeline system safety. This work is part of a system-wide effort to further enhance the safety of pipelines throughout the State. The CPUC approved plan identifies various SoCalGas pipeline sections throughout the statewide system that
Item 11.b. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS PIPELNE SAFETY PROJECT AND CONSIDERATION OF A WAIVER TO THE FIVE YEAR PAVEMENT TRENCH CUT MORATORIUM FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE2
have not been pressure-tested, or for which there is no record of a pressure test, and requires that they be pressure-tested or replaced. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: SoCalGas will be pressure testing or replacing pipelines at various locations in Arroyo Grande. SoCalGas will be notifying customers via a public outreach campaign, when pressure testing or replacement activity is coming to their neighborhood and will make every effort to minimize impacts on the community. The Pipeline Safety work in Arroyo Grande is scheduled to begin in early 2015. The work is expected to take 10 to 12 weeks. A description of the project and the project routing is attached (Attachment #1) and will be discussed by SoCalGas representatives in the form of a presentation about the project.
City staff has recommended the following conditions and mitigations for the impacts of this SoCalGas project. 1. Secure a separate encroachment permit from the City of Arroyo Grande, with all necessary attachments, including construction plans, traffic control plans, and emergency contact information. 2. Reimburse the City of Arroyo Grande $1,394 for the cost to purchase a Caltrans encroachment permit for the Brisco Undercrossing paving project. (This actual financial impact resulted when So Cal Gas informed the City previously about the routing of the project under the Brisco underpass. Paving work schedule for the summer of 2014 was canceled in anticipation of the trenching work to be performed by SoCalGas. A new Caltrans encroachment permit will be required at an additional cost.) 3.
Meet all City standards for construction in the public right of way, including trench repair requirements along with full-lane width paving for any disturbed area road sections.
4. Confirmation of environmental impact determination through a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process, or arrangement of an environmental review process with the City of Arroyo Grande serving as the lead agency, funded by SoCalGas. (According to SoCalGas, environmental review has been completed, however, CEQA does not apply to the project because the proposed activity is either statutorily exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code §21080.21 or categorically exempt pursuant to either/or §15301 (Class 1), §15302 (Class 2) and §15304 (Class 4) of the State CEQA Guidelines.) 5. Fund the cost of% day inspection services for a City hired Inspector on all active days of work within the City boundaries.
Item 11.b. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS PIPELNE SAFETY PROJECT AND CONSIDERATION OF A WAIVER TO THE FIVE YEAR PAVEMENT TRENCH CUT MORATORIUM FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE3
SoCalGas has agreed to the above stated conditions. Staff also explored the potential opportunity to install "purple pipe" for reclaimed water in the same or adjacent trench. In accordance with the agreement between SoCalGas and the CPUC for the administration of the PSEP program, project enhancements are not allowed with this project. According to SoCalGas, only testing and remediation of the lines to assure the public safety are permitted expenses. Additionally, staff is requesting that the City Council approve a waiver of the five year trench cut prohibition on new pavement for the sections of West Branch Road and El Camino Real. Resolution 3819 regarding the Pavement Cut Policy (Attachment #2) prohibits trenching into road surfaces that have been repaved within the past five (5) years. (Attachment #3) The policy allows the Public Works Director to lift this restriction for emergency, safety and utility repairs or work mandated by the State, however given the magnitude of the proposed work, staff is requesting the Council to waive the five year trenching restriction. Staff has also requested, and SoCalGas has agreed, to complete full lane pavement repair in this area. Typical restoration work, in nonmoratorium street, would be limited to the trench area. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration: • Add additional conditions to SoCalGas for the proposed Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan project; • Provide direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: This project will improve the safety and reliability of the natural gas pipelines routed through the City of Arroyo Grande. DISADVANTAGES: This project will cause temporary traffic disruptions for Arroyo Grande motorists and will cut into recently constructed road paving on West Branch Road and El Camino Real. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The project is statutorily exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code §21080.21 or categorically exempt pursuant to either/or §15301 (Class 1), §15302 (Class 2) and §15304 (Class 4) of the State CEQA Guidelines. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The agenda was posted at City Hall on Thursday, February 5, 2015. The agenda and staff report was posted on the City's website on Friday, February 6, 2015. No public comments were received as of the time of preparation of this report.
Item 11.b. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS PIPELNE SAFETY PROJECT AND CONSIDERATION OF A WAIVER TO THE FIVE YEAR PAVEMENT TRENCH CUT MORATORIUM FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE4 Attachments: 1. ROUTING AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION (Provided by SoCaIGas) 2. Resolution 3819- Pavement Cut Policy 3. Five Year Paving History- 2015
Item 11.b. - Page 4
ATTACHMENT 1 ROUTING AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION (Provided by SoCalGas)
SoCalGas first plans to hydrostatic pressure test approximately 4,670 feet of existing pipe along W. Branch St, starting at N. Oak Park and ending east of the Rodeo Dr. Hydrostatic pressure testing is a process that uses water to exert pressure on a pipeline at levels greater than its usual operating pressure to assess its soundness, often referred to as its integrity. The pipeline segment to be tested on W. Branch St. will be temporarily removed from service and excavations will be dug at both ends of the segment to expose the pipeline. SoCalGas will be responsible to ensure that the natural gas inside will be safely and legally vented. Water will be pumped into the segment and the pressure will be increased to a level greater than the pipeline's usual operating pressure. After holding the increased pressure for eight hours or more, the test will be complete and the water will be drained into water tanks and recycled, reused, or disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations and local requirements. Some traffic may be impacted in this section, but will be marked with traffic cones and signs. Nearby residents may hear some workrelated noise. Construction crews will be working from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The work is expected to take eight to ten weeks. The next section of Pipeline Safety work is scheduled to begin in early April 2015. A 3,266 foot section of pipe will be replaced starting south of Brisco Rd along El Camino Real and ending south of E. Grand Ave. This pipeline replacement activity involves installing new pipe parallel to the path of the existing pipeline. Next, the existing pipeline is taken out of service and the natural gas is safely removed from it. Then, the new pipeline section is connected to the distribution system and brought into service. Traffic may be impacted in this section, but will be marked with traffic cones and signs. People passing by the work site may see an excavation, equipment, and traffic control signage as well as trucks and other vehicles. The nearby community may also hear some work-related noise. Construction crews will be working from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The work is expected to take 10 to 12 weeks. SoCalGas also plans to replace a 7 ,200 foot section of pipe starting near the intersection of El Camino Real and E. Grand Ave and ending near the intersection of Century Lane and Los Berros Rd. The construction activity is scheduled to begin early June 2015 and work is expected to take about ten to twelve weeks. Like the replacement project along El Camino Real, this pipeline replacement activity involves installing new pipe parallel to the path of the existing pipeline. Next, the existing pipeline is taken out of service and the natural gas is safely removed from it. Then the new pipeline section is connected to the distribution system and brought into service. Construction crews will be working from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Item 11.b. - Page 5
ATTACHMENT 2
·RESOLUTION NO. 3819
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING A PAVEMENT CUT POLICY I
WHEREAS, Section 13.20.01 O of the City of Arroyo Grande Municipal Code ~bles the City Council to establish, by resolution, the rules, regulations. and specifications for construction within the City; and, : WHEREAS, the Council has had concerns regarding the deleterious effects of ~ng pavement cuts in streets that have been recently overlayed. I
WHEREAS, the City has developed a Pavement Cut Policy to prohibit pavement cuts in recently paved streets. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande hereby adopts the City of Arroyo Grande Pavement C4t Policy, a copy Of which is attached hereto as Exhibit ·A· and incorporated herein.
On motion of Council Member Dickens, seconded by Council Member Amok:t, and on the following roll call vote, to wit AYES: NOES:
ABSENT:
Council Members Dickens, Arnold, Guthrie, Costello and Mayor Ferrara None None
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 811 day of March 20Q5.
Item 11.b. - Page 6
RESOLUTION NO. 3819 PAGE2
TON~ ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO CbNTENT:
S~CITY
MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM.:
Item 11.b. - Page 7
Exhibit "A" City of Arroyo Grande Pavement Cut Policy
All pavement cuts, defined as any activity that penetrates through the asp~alt1
concrete pavement surface, shall be prohibited in the roadway surface
f~r I
a
period of five (5) years following the placement of a new asphalt concrete I
surface.
~ear
The Public Works Department will annually publish a five (5)
I
paving history of streets where the prohibition is in force, and a projected five (5) !
year paving schedule to assist utility companies, developers and contracto~s to schedule their projects.
At the discretion of the Public Works Director/City Engineer, this restriction ,may
be lifted for emergency, safety and utility repairs or work mandated by the ~tate •
I
of California. In the event the pavement cut is allowed, the roadway shalt be I
repaired to the condition prior to the cut, in accordance with City of Arroyo I I
Grande ·Standard Plans, and all pavement markings and markers shal:I be replaced in kind.
I
- - - - - --~ -~ ------ __!_ -
---~-
Item 11.b. - Page 8
-
-~~
:;.'.
---- --..----- -.._,_ _____ ,_ ------
---I
I. I
RESOLUTION NO. 3819
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of ~an Luis Obispo. State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that Resolution No. 3819 is a true, full, an~ correct copy of said Resolution pa~ and adogted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grarde on the 8 day of March 2005. r WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the day of March 2005.
91ty of Arroyo Grande affixed this /101t1 ;
MORE, CITY CLERK
Item 11.b. - Page 9
ATTACHMENT 3 Five Year Asphalt Paving History City of Arroyo Grande February 2, 2015
Year
Street
To '
From
2010
Arroyo Avenue
Pilgrim Way
West Cherry Avenue
2010
Camino Mercado
West Branch Street
975' north towards Rancho Parkway
2010
Myrtle Street
Garden Street
Lierly Lane
2010
Orchard Street
Fair Oaks Avenue
200' south of Pilgrim Way
2010
Pearwood Avenue
Huasna Road
Oak Hill Road
2010
West Branch Street
East Grand Avenue
Oak Park Boulevard
2010
West Cherry Avenue
High School Parking Lot
Arroyo Avenue
2011
Le Point Street
Miller Way
325' west towards Nevada Street
2011
Traffic Way Extension
Traffic Way
Trinity Avenue
2012
Coach Road
Flora Road
Branch Mill Road
2012
El Camino Real
East Grand Avenue
Oak Park Boulevard
2012
Flora Road
Coach Road
End
2012
Greenwood Drive
Flora Road
End
2012
Tanner Lane
Flora Road
Branch Mill Road
2012
East Branch Street
us 101
Traffic Way
2013
Fair Oaks Avenue
South Halcyon Road
Alder Street
2013
Garden Street
Ide Street
East Cherry Avenue
2013
Ide Street
Whitely Street
Garden Street
2013
Nelson Street
South Mason Street
end of cul-de-sac
2013
Short Street
Nelson Street
Allen Street
2014
Larchmont Drive
Wesley Street
2014
East Grand Avenue
Vernon Street El Camino Real
us 101
Item 11.b. - Page 10
