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1. Measure Q will fund the citywide project of undergrounding the utility poles and wires. How do I find out when poles in my area will be removed?

The City will prioritize the individual projects using a methodology approved by the City Council.  The City will post the schedule information on the City website as it becomes available.

2. Will Measure Q cover the costs of running the power from the undergrounded utilities to my home?

Measure Q money will pay for the undergrounding of overhead utilities within the City’s right-of-way.  The homeowners will pay for the cost of converting and connecting the overhead utilities from the property line to the service connection at the house i.e., laterals.

3. How much will these ‘laterals’ cost me?

The cost varies depending on the site condition e.g., on how far the lines need to run and any obstacles or surface improvements.  For planning and budgeting purposes individual homeowners’ cost should range from $2,500 to $5,000. There are also City of Del Mar permit fees yet to be determined.

4. If I cannot afford to pay for these laterals, how can I get assistance?

The City will work with the homeowners to provide resources for securing financing. Guidelines for qualification will be established.

5. Who decides which areas of the City are undergrounded?

Staff will prioritize the projects using the prioritization process recommended by the Utility Undergrounding Advisory Committee and approved by the City Council.

6. If my area timetable is too far out for me, can I go on and underground myself?

Yes.  However, since undergrounding work is under the purview of the City, it cannot be delegated. Timing is also subject to SDG&E’s capacity.  Municipal services for which the City is responsible will not be delegated to others without due process. Therefore, any independent work may not be compensated with public funds such as Measure Q money.

7. I recently undergrounded my poles. Can I get reimbursed?

The City will not reimburse those properties that have previously undergrounded at their own expense.   The City will not reimburse those homeowners who have expended funds currently and are in the process to underground.  The City will only take over the financial responsibility for work within the City’s right-of-way going forward as scheduled by the City. Privately-initiated and led efforts within the City’s right-of -way do not qualify for compensation as the work falls within the City’s purview and may not be delegated.  Following are some of the reasons for this:

• The work was not completed in compliance with the contracting and labor laws that City’s projects funded with public funds are subject to.
• It is not feasible to go back and separate and identify costs that could potentially be eligible or to verify the work was let for bid and awarded properly.
• It is unknown how to define the qualified owner such as current owner, previous owner, or even future one.
• The homeowners have already benefited from the investment and received contributions (i.e., resources) from the City during the work.
• There is no way of knowing if the costs spent were well spent and the City would get a good value.

8. What is the timeline, once a neighborhood has been selected, for the poles to come down?

An overall master plan timeline is expected to be ready by January 1, 2019. The implementation will be in approximately 15 projects.

The design phase for each project by SDG&E, in conjunction with other utilities, requires 6-12 months. Following design another 12-18 months will be required to advertise, complete construction, and switch over. While the project is being designed, the neighborhood will meet, select a team captain, and review the details of the project with the City staff.

9. Will the City be adding any of their planned projects for the community into each of the approved undergrounding projects?

The City is evaluating all of its projects in an effort to coordinate with the undergrounding projects to potentially consolidate the work and save money and minimize neighborhood disruption in the process.  However, these other City projects will not slow any approved undergrounding project except in an emergency case where public safety and well-being always takes precedence.

10. If I have further questions, whom should I contact?

The City has established an email address to receive, distribute, and respond to inquiries.  The address is UP@delmar.ca.us.   Also, when specific neighborhoods have been identified for undergrounding, a ‘team captain’ from the neighborhood will be identified to act as a point of contact and to distribute information.