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Committee approves final assessment for neighborhood undergrounding; members say project was community led
Summary
The committee approved a final cost reconciliation for a neighborhood underground utilities assessment. Committee members and JEA staff said the project was initiated by residents and met the required consent threshold; final construction cost came in slightly below the previously approved estimate.
The Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee approved an ordinance March 4 to finalize assessments and costs for a completed neighborhood undergrounding project after committee members questioned the resident-consent process.
Councilwoman Clark Murray asked whether all affected households had consented to the utility placement undergrounding assessment and whether the project imposed an assessment lien on properties. Don Tooten of JEA said the project reached the required threshold, explaining that "it has to be over 66% during that time in 2018. The community came to JEA. They, had a block captain. That block captain, over a 3 year period, got over 66%." Tooten said he could bring a subject-matter expert for address-level details.
Councilman Jimmy Peluso, the bill sponsor for that item, said the undertaking was community led and that most households supported the change. Edward Linsky told the committee specific exhibit information was on record: the 2021 bill listed 43 of 61 residences in favor for a percentage of 70.5% and that the list of addresses is included in the 2021 exhibit.
Linsky also said the project’s estimated cost approved earlier was "15,924 as the estimated cost. It is now coming through after construction for the final cost, which came in almost $2,000 less than what city council approved previously for us to to proceed with the construction." The committee recorded a 7-0 vote to approve the final assessment ordinance.
