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LAFCO updates study on undergrounding utility wires; Budget Legislative Analyst to handle cost analysis
Summary
LAFCO staff said a coordinated approach with the Budget Legislative Analyst's office will avoid duplicating cost analysis on undergrounding utilities; LAFCO will focus its report on program next steps and funding options and expects a draft in January or February.
Jason Fried, LAFCO executive officer, gave a verbal status update Dec. 12 on the study of opportunities to underground utility wires in San Francisco. Fried said his team found the Budget Legislative Analyst’s office already examining cost breakdowns and that LAFCO will collaborate rather than duplicate that work. "They're looking at the cost breakdowns of how much this is to do and how much it costs in other places," Fried said, adding that LAFCO will concentrate on next steps, alternative funding sources and program design.
Fried said LAFCO has begun drafting program language and expects to deliver a written draft report in January; depending on workload and other items on LAFCO's agenda the report could be pushed to February. He noted that staff is coordinating with Supervisor Tang’s office to ensure the study meets the supervisor’s request.
Public commenters urged that the undergrounding analysis be a launch point for broader municipal broadband and referenced successful nationwide municipal broadband examples as models. LAFCO commissioners thanked neighborhood activists for raising the issue and acknowledged the broader public-interest implications.
Next steps: LAFCO staff will continue coordination with the Budget Legislative Analyst and community stakeholders and will return with a written draft report in the new year.
