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Home My WebLink AboutMJCIP Apps (29)RRRCITY OF PALM SPRINGS MEASURE J COMMUNITY INITIATED PROJECTS APPLICATION FORM Name of Applicant: Cameron Saless Date Submitted: 9/27/2024 Applicant Type: Neighborhood Name of Organization: Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization If yes, provide IRS ID# Tell us about your project: 1.Project Name: Racquet Club Undergrounding Project in the Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood 2.Project Address: PO Box 185, Palm Springs 3.Project Type: Grant 4.This project improves: Business Community, Historic Preservation, Other: Norg Communities, Neighborhood,ONE-PS, Public Art, The Economy, Tourism, Park/ Recreation/Hiking Facilities, Police/Fire/Emergency Services, Streets/Roads, Sustainability/Conservation, Tourism, Other: Public Safety, Property Values, Property Tax Income for the City, etc. 5.What demographic(s) does this project serve? All 6. Estimated project cost: $60,000.00 7. Short description of proposed project. Over the past nine months, RCENO has collaborated with neighboring organizations and city officials to develop a thoughtful approach to under grounding utilities which have several benefits – • Enhanced Safety: Reduces risks from downed lines during storms. • Improved Reliability: Minimizes outages as underground lines withstand environmental factors. • Aesthetic Improvement: Enhances community appearance, attracting residents and visitors. Increased Property Values: Higher property values lead to increased city tax revenue. An ordinance for under grounding will be presented to the City Council in October 2024 which will clear a path to finance these efforts through a municipal bond that is assessed directly to homeowners via their property taxes. We are seeking a $60,000 grant from Measure J to hire a consultant for project scoping for our neighborhood, which will be reimbursed through the bond. Please support this initiative for a safer, more attractive Palm Springs. Applicant’s information: Name of Contact Person: Cameron Saless Contact Person’s Phone Number:(323) 527-5995 Contact Person’s Email Address: csaless@gmail.com From:Cameron Saless To:Melissa Sanchez Cc:Denny Adams; Diana Shay Subject:Supplemental Documentation for Measure J Application - Underground Utility District Formation in Racquet Club Date:Monday, December 23, 2024 8:02:12 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Chairperson Sipkins and Members of the Measure J Oversight Commission, Thank you for the opportunity to submit additional documentation to further support our application for Measure J funding. The proposed underground utility district project in Racquet Club aligns closely with the goals of Measure J and the City’s Strategic Plan, offering long-term benefits to safety, aesthetics, and infrastructure reliability in our community. Below, we provide additional details to address the Commission’s criteria and clarify our request: Project Narrative The proposed project seeks to initiate the formation of an Underground Utility District (UUD) for Racquet Club to underground our overhead utility lines. By undergrounding these utilities, the project will: 1. Enhance Public Safety: Significantly reduce fire risks, mitigate earthquake-related hazards, and prevent damage during high wind events. Racquet Club is a high wind zone and we all have witnessed the recent tragedies surrounding high winds and fire. Continuing to maintain above ground utility lines in a high wind region represents a significant liability for utilities and the city. https://www.denverpost.com/2024/01/12/marshall-fire-lawsuits-xcel-energy/ 2. Improve Aesthetics: Remove unsightly overhead lines and poles, aligning with Palm Springs’ reputation as a desirable residential and tourist destination. It also refocuses the attention on the incredible mid-century architecture in our district and increases the property values of our properties. 3. Lower Maintenance Costs: Support long-term savings for utility providers by reducing the frequency of repairs and ongoing maintenance. The project’s exploratory phase will include scoping and cost estimation activities necessary to evaluate feasibility and community support. Detailed Scope of Work To ensure a robust and thorough assessment, we propose to undertake the following steps during the exploratory phase. 1. Boundary and Mapping Development: We are already working with Diana Shay at the city to secure our utility maps so we can collaborate with utility companies to define the project area. 2. Preliminary Cost Estimate: Obtain quotes for engineering, design, trenching, conduit installation, and utility reconnections. 3. Community Engagement: Form a Neighborhood Committee to coordinate outreach and ensure at least 60% property owner participation, as required for district formation. 4. Initial Utility Deposits: Work with utility providers to secure preliminary designs and cost estimates. Budget Worksheet The exploratory phase is estimated to cost $50,000 to $75,000, including: Preliminary engineering design Utility provider deposits Project management and legal fees Administrative costs We are requesting Measure J funding to cover most of this initial phase but plan to supplement the Measure J funding with a $10,000 donation from our Neighborhood Association which is the equivalent of almost 30% of our annual operating budget so you can see this is a big priority for the neighborhood. Subsequent phases will be funded through property owner assessments as outlined in Proposition 218. Any funds used in the exploratory phase, including the Measure J funds, will be refunded through the bond. Alignment with Measure J and Strategic Goals This project supports Measure J’s mission by investing in infrastructure improvements that: Benefit a majority of residents and visitors. Improve public safety and quality of life. Provide long-term value without imposing ongoing costs to the City. Timeline If approved, the exploratory phase will commence in early 2025 and conclude within 6 to 9 months, allowing sufficient time for engineering, cost scoping, and community outreach. A formal petition process would follow, leading to a Proposition 218-compliant vote. We appreciate your consideration of this supplementary information. We are confident that this project will meaningfully contribute to the City’s long-term vision and community well- being. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to contact me directly. Sincerely, Cameron Saless Board Member of RCENO 325 E. Francis Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 323-527-5995