County Extends 8 Water Pipeline Franchises

(October 10) The county board of supervisors has signed off on granting franchise extensions to eight separate entities operating water pipeline systems at various spots throughout the county.
In each case, the eight companies had previous consent to operate their respective systems to transport water in the county rights-of-way. In all of those cases, the franchise agreements were approved and entered into in 1998, and all are set to expire on November 20, 2013.
In September  the board of supervisors adopted resolutions declaring the board’s intent to grant  franchises to the Center Mutual Water Company, the Jubilee Mutual Water Company, the Terrace Mutual Water Company, the Bar-H Mutual Water company, the Sky Forest Mutual Water Company, the Crystal Lakes Property Owners Association, the Baseline Gardens Mutual Water Company and the Alpine Water Users Association to operate  pipeline systems to transport water in county of San Bernardino public rights-of-way for the period from December 19, 2013 through December 18, 2028.
Center operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of Lucerne Valley. The pipeline system consists of approximately 4,374 feet in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Lucerne Valley area.
Jubilee operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of Lucerne Valley. The pipeline system consists of approximately 246 feet in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Lucerne Valley area.
Terrace operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of Colton. The pipeline system consists of approximately 28,286.74 feet in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Colton area.
Bar-H operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of Lucerne Valley. The pipeline system consists of approximately 6,600 feet in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Lucerne Valley area.
Sky Forest Mutual Water Company operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated community of Sky Forest. The pipeline system consists of approximately 11,245 feet (2.13 miles) in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Sky Forest area.
The Crystal Lakes Property Owners Association operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of  Newberry Springs. The pipeline system consists of  approximately 500 feet in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Newberry Springs area.
Baseline Gardens Mutual Water Company operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area near the city of Highland. The pipeline system consists of approximately 11,880 feet (2.25 miles) in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the San Bernardino/Highland area.
The Alpine Water Users Association operates a pipeline system for the distribution of water in the unincorporated area of Twin Peaks. The pipeline system consists of approximately 52,246 feet (9.9 miles) in county road right-of-way and transports water to local residents in the Twin Peaks area.
In accordance with County Code Section 14.0701, the county is authorized to grant franchises along and over public roads and rights-of-way for all lawful purposes, upon such terms, conditions and restrictions as deemed necessary and proper. In general, a franchise is an agreement between a municipality and a utility or cable provider that outlines requirements that must be met in order for the utility or cable provider to use the municipality’s public right-of-way.
There will be a roughly one month delay between the expiration of the current franchises and the official continuation of the new ones. The delay in presenting a recommendation to the board to approve a new franchise agreement resulted from internal county administrative delays. The entities will continue to operate their pipelines in the county road rights-of-way and have made all franchise payments in full and on time.
The franchise fees made to the county by the separate entities correspond to some degree but not absolutely in rough proportion to the linear feet of public right-of-way used for the pipelines in question.
Jubillee will pay franchise fees of approximately $12 annually.
Terrace Mutual will pay franchise fees of approximately $6,800 annually.
Bar H will pay franchise fees to the county of approximately $200 annually.
Sky Forest Mutual will pay franchise fees to the county of approximately $700 annually.
Crystal Lakes will pay franchise fees to the county of approximately $60 annually
Baseline Gardens Mutual will pay franchise fees to the county of approximately $7,000 annually

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