RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Service Agreement S2003015 with Utility Tree Service, LLC. to continue providing high voltage line tree trimming services on an as-needed basis.
| BACKGROUND
Utility Tree Service, LLC is the contracted tree trimming service provider for Roseville Electric to meet State-required compliance mandates, and construction and maintenance needs for high voltage electric line clearance trimming. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) General Order 95, Rule 35 Vegetation Management, requires electric utilities to have an active high voltage tree trimming program to maintain the minimum clearance requirements for distances of trees or vegetation from energized lines.
The California legislature recently passed S.B. 247 that significantly increased vegetation management labor rates in the state, effective Jan 1, 2020, resulting in significant increased costs. As a result, available funds are expected to be exhausted prior to the end of the fiscal year. Additional contract funding is necessary to retain required service levels per the State mandate and to maintain tree trimming services for public safety at new, increased rates.
| FISCAL IMPACT
This amendment increases agreement funding by $170,000 bringing the total annual amount from $546,976.34 to $716,976.34. Funding is available in the FY2019-20 Electric Department budget.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project involves minor alteration in the condition of the land, water, and or vegetation which will not remove healthy, mature scenic trees. The project is limited to tree trimming for power line clearance and does not include tree removal, therefore this activity is categorically exempt from CEQA as a Class 4 Exemption (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15304). The Exemption has been prepared and no further CEQA action is required.
| Respectfully Submitted,
Jeff Beaubier, Electric Operations Supervisor
Michelle Bertolino, Utility Director | |
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Dominick Casey, City Manager
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