OC EWRI Presents Utility Undergrounding Assessment District 113

Topic: Utility Undergrounding Assessment District 113

Speaker:

Michael J. Sinacori, PE, Assistant City Engineer, City of Newport Beach

Mr. Sinacori has almost 40 years of civil engineering experience and spent the early part of his career working as a consulting civil engineer focusing on the planning and design of utility infrastructure. In 1993, Mr. Sinacori joined the City of Newport Beach as the Deputy Utilities Director and currently serves as the Assistant City Engineer in the Public Works Department. While working at the City of Newport Beach, Mr. Sinacori has managed millions of dollars of capital improvement projects including streets, medians, parks, beach/bay protection, and wastewater and water facilities among other City projects. Several years ago, Mr. Sinacori took on the additional role of Assessment District Manager for the City and is currently coordinating over $40 million worth of resident-driven utility undergrounding projects.

Jeff M. Cooper, PE, Executive Vice President and COO, NV5

Mr. Cooper brings over 45 years of professional consulting engineering experience, primarily based in Southern California. Mr. Cooper’s educational background includes a dual bachelor’s degree in Economics and Civil Engineering, as well as a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He has served as the former Governor and current Treasurer for the ASCE California Region 9 Board of Governors, past President for the ASCE San Diego chapter, and was recently selected as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ASCE San Diego chapter. He has substantial experience with funding public projects and has worked extensively with Public Works and Finance departments across the state. He is an industry leader and expert in guiding the assessment district process, successfully navigating the technical and legal intricacies involved with these high-profile projects. He has been District Assessment Engineer for the formation and administration of districts under the authority of the Municipal Improvement Acts of 1913 and 1931 Debt Limit Reports, and the Improvement Act of 1911. Mr. Cooper has assisted the City of Newport Beach with the successful formation and construction of numerous utility undergrounding assessment districts over the last 30 years.

Synopsis:

The City of Newport Beach is a leader in undergrounding overhead utilities through the formation of assessment districts with several projects currently underway. Recently, the City has undertaken two utility undergrounding districts with significant challenges, successfully navigating the process for these high-profile and property owner-funded projects.

AD-113 undergrounded the overhead utilities for 215 properties for the West Balboa Island community. The total project cost was approximately $6,200,000. Construction began in September 2021 and was scheduled in multiple phases to minimize impacts to the residents and community. Extensive community outreach was required for this project as the City and project team successfully navigated the challenges involving traffic impacts and access to the Island during construction, including ferry closures, limited alley/garage access, and parking. This project was selected as a recipient of an ASCE (OC Branch) Outstanding Community Improvement Project Award in 2023.

AD-124 is undergrounding the overhead utilities for 965 properties for the Big Balboa Island community. During the balloting process, there was a legal challenge that led to a formal court action and eventual approval to allow the City to open the ballots. Property owners voted in favor of the District (65.29% approval) and the formation was approved by City Council. The estimated project cost is $35,000,000 and construction began in early 2024.

There were several lessons learned from AD-113 that were applied to AD-124, including improved construction phasing/sequencing and enhanced community outreach, which led to a more streamlined construction phase.

The success of these projects is a direct result of the close coordination between the City of Newport Beach, NV5, the contractors, the utility companies, property owners, affected businesses, and the community.

Time: Lunch @ 11:50 am; Program ends @ 1:00 pm

Location: Dave and Busters' at Irvine Spectrum, 661 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA (949) 727-0555

Cost: $50 at the door, $40 advanced payment by mail or credit card, $45 registered but pay at the door, Students $15 at the door with school ID

Mail checks payable to "ASCE HHTG" and RSVP to:

Ben Smith, EWRI Chair

4060 East La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807

Confirm: Call (714) 378-3211, or e-mail to: [email protected]

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