Tiburon Council requires Mar West residents to post one-third of design costs to advance undergrounding plan

The Tiburon Town Council voted unanimously to require property owners proposing the Mar West utility undergrounding assessment district to provide subscription deposits equal to one-third of the preliminary design cost, council members said after a lengthy discussion about cost, safety and precedent.

Staff presented a revised estimate for preliminary work — civil design, utility design and advisory services — totaling $165,760 and said the figure differed from the written staff report due to a recently identified discrepancy. The civil design quote alone was listed at $79,200. Town staff told the council the subscription deposit would fund biddable construction documents and the final engineer’s report; if the district later forms and bonds are issued, the town would be reimbursed for any funds it advanced.

Why it matters: Undergrounding overhead utility lines removes visible wiring, reduces fire and outage risk, and can improve emergency access and neighborhood views. The council said the decision also sets an operational precedent for how the town will support future resident-led undergrounding efforts.

Proponents who petitioned the town told the council they have strong local support and urged minimal upfront requirements so homeowners can participate. “We feel exceedingly confident” that the measure will pass, said Erin Giacopo, a Mar West co-chair, describing two-and-a-half years of organizing. Miles Daley, another neighborhood proponent, said the group had secured firm commitments from “over 30 people … out of 39,” noting the map covers 35 parcels but some lots include multiple addresses.

Residents described safety concerns and unreliable service from aging overhead lines. One resident said a power line outside his home “exploded” about two years ago and required emergency response; others cited repeated holiday outages and the visual clutter of poles and wires.

Council discussion focused on how to balance town risk against incentives for resident participation. Council member Ryan advocated a sizable town contribution to demonstrate commitment; Mayor Wellner and others favored setting a percentage to scale responsibility for different-sized projects. After debate the council approved the motion that the neighborhood must deposit no less than one-third of the revised preliminary design cost for the petition to move forward.

What happens next: Staff will provide the petition packet to the Mar West proponents, showing the revised estimate, required subscription deposits and a map of the proposed district. Proponents must collect sufficient petitions and deposits to meet legal formation requirements; if they do, the town will complete final design, solicit bids, and then place the district formation before property owners for a vote. If property owners approve the district, the town may award contracts and authorize bond financing and will be reimbursed by bond proceeds for any town-advanced costs. If the vote fails, the town would not recover funds advanced prior to district formation.

Council also directed the utility undergrounding subcommittee to meet with proponents and one adjacent property owner who expressed interest in joining the district to confirm boundaries and any impact on the design estimate.

The council’s action: Motion to require neighborhood subscription deposits equal to one-third of the preliminary design cost (as revised to $165,760) — moved and seconded, roll-call vote: Fredericks, Ryan, Thier, Vice Mayor Nick Farr and Mayor Wellner — all voted yes.

The petition and any subsequent professional service agreements or budget amendments will return to council for formal approval.