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LAFCO releases draft undergrounding and fiber‑expansion study; staff recommends coordination and a multi‑year plan
Summary
LAFCO staff circulated a draft report on undergrounding utility wires and expanding fiber networks, recommended maintaining a shovel‑ready list of projects, coordinating undergrounding with capital resurfacing and streetlight projects, and developing a multi‑year funding target to guide potential ballot or funding options.
LAFCO Executive Officer Jason Bridal reported that a draft study on undergrounding wires and expanding fiber networks has been released to stakeholders and interested supervisors and that a full presentation and discussion are scheduled for the May 15 meeting.
Bridal told commissioners he found no new federal funding sources for utility undergrounding and recommended keeping an up‑to‑date list of shovel‑ready projects so the city can quickly pursue grant opportunities if they arise. He suggested coordinating undergrounding with other capital projects—such as street resurfacing and streetlight replacement—to gain efficiencies and reduce incremental costs.
The draft proposes that city planners produce a rolling five‑year view (and review the prior five years) to estimate an annual funding target for undergrounding. Bridal said that approach would give advocates and decision‑makers a clear figure to consider if they seek voter or legislative approval for bonds or dedicated funding mechanisms.
Public commenters urged LAFCO to use the report as a springboard for exploring public broadband options and to consider independent or nonprofit governance structures for citywide low‑cost fiber.
