Through a series of meetings with the Town , FPL , AT & T , Comcast , and other stakeholder utilities , Kimley-Horn has developed a recommended phasing and sequencing plan for the implementation of the undergrounding program . These recommendations are intended to serve as guidance during the design and construction of the overhead to underground conversion improvements . Throughout the implementation process , these recommendations should be reviewed so adjustments can be made as may be required to account for changes in technology , various utility and stakeholder requirements , and changes with other work programs within the Town that may influence the implementation of the undergrounding program in the future .

6.1 Phase Limit Development

To develop the phase limits for the project , several factors needed to be considered . These factors included the following :

• yFPL tariff requirements

• yPhysical size of the individual phase

• yElectric and communication utility system technical requirements

• yCost efficiency

These factors and their influence on the development of the recommended phasing limits of the program are described in greater detail below .

FPL Tariff Requirements

The Florida Public Service Commission exercises regulatory authority over FPL to ensure that consumers receive their electric service in a safe , reasonable , and reliable manner . Part of this regulatory authority includes the approval of the tariff that sets the rules and regulations FPL operates under in providing electrical service . The tariff document sets forth specific rules for the conversion of facilities from overhead to underground locations .

When local governments apply to FPL to have overhead facilities converted to underground locations , they can qualify for a Governmental Adjustment Factor Waiver (“ GAF Waiver ”) if the conversion project meets certain criteria . The GAF Waiver essentially provides for a 25 % discount of the Cost In Aid of Construction ( CIAC ) that is required to be paid to FPL by the local government applicant to perform the conversion .

One of the criteria that is important to consider when developing an undergrounding phasing plan is that the conversion must include a minimum of three pole line miles or approximately 200 detached dwelling units within a contiguous or closely proximate geographic areas to qualify for the GAF Waiver . If the conversion program is to be phased , then these minimums may be met over at most , three phases and that each phase begin within one year from the completion of the previous phase . The Town ’ s undergrounding program meets the criteria to qualify for the GAF Waiver .

Physical Size of the Individual Phase

While the FPL tariff requires minimum project size to be eligible for the GAF Waiver , the individual phase area should not be excessively large for several reasons :

• yBreaking the project up into multiple components provides for enhanced competition amongst the contracting community to perform the work .

• yBreaking up the total program cost into phases reduces the bonding capacity required for qualified contractors who may choose to pursue the individual projects . This

allows the pool of bidders to remain high which fosters competitive pricing .

• yMultiple phases reduce the risk that a single contractor fails to execute the work of a single large phase . Contractor failure introduces risks to both project schedule and costs related to delays , re-work , re-mobilization activities , and potential litigation .

• yThe amount of work to be performed within a given time period needs to be manageable not only for the Town ’ s contractor , consultants , and staff , but also for the utility companies that are involved . There are operations that must be performed by FPL , AT & T , and Comcast so their scopes of work for both design and construction must be feasible to complete within the given timeframe .

y • Community impacts due to the construction must be considered in selecting a project size . Each phase is anticipated to have a duration of 18 to 24 months . It has been our experience that durations longer than this can cause strain within the affected community due to traffic impacts , noise , and other impacts that are related to construction activities . In our experience , confined activities in a relatively small area are desired and better

TOWN-WIDE UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES PROGRAM MASTER PLAN DOCUMENT

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