HISTORY:
At its May 16, 2018 meeting, during the discussion of Resolution R7 O which was to award design/build services for Neighborhood No. 5 La Gorce, the City Commission adopted a motion referring a resolution presented by Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemán (attached hereto as Exhibit “A”), regarding the proposed undergrounding of utilities on North Bay Road and Alton Road, to the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee (“NCAC”) for further discussion.
At its meeting on June 20, 2018, the NCAC discussed undergrounding utilities and adopted a motion, recommending that the Administration begin developing a policy that streamlines the current process (to create special assessment districts to fund the underground conversion of overhead utilities) and treats neighborhoods equitably. The resolution originally presented on May 16, 2018, was not discussed.
On September 6, 2018, the City mailed a petition form to residents on North Bay Road, between Alton Road and La Gorce Drive/Pine Tree Drive Circle, in order to allow the subject residents to advise the City whether they are in favor of funding the undergrounding of utilities with special assessments. A copy of the cover letter and petition are attached hereto as Exhibit “B”. Each petition form stated that it must be returned to the City by October 8, 2018, in order to be counted. At the request of residents on North Bay Road, this deadline was extended until October 19, 2018.
On October 24, 2018, the petitions received so far were counted by the Office of the City Clerk. The tally of the petitions was published in LTC No. 570-2018 and is attached as Exhibit “C”.
Historically, petitions to create underground utility districts have been circulated and submitted by City residents and/or neighborhood associations. In this case, the City Administration affirmatively distributed petition forms, on a pilot basis, to residents on North Bay Road, between Alton Road and La Gorce Drive/Pine Tree Drive Circle.
At its September 26, 2018 meeting, the NCAC held a discussion regarding the potential undergrounding of utilities along North Bay Road, and how the City Administration might further facilitate the creation of special assessment districts to fund the undergrounding of utilities.
Attached for the Committee’s review and consideration is a copy of the City’s current policy applicable to the creation of special assessment districts for the underground conversion of overhead utilities. (See Exhibit “D”).
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