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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE DECORATIVE STREET LIGHT CONVERSION TO LED PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Transfer funds in the amount of $375,000 from the Light Up Stockton, Project No. WD25046, to the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049.
2. Approve Notice of Exemption No. NOE05-25 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049.
4. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $325,430 to St. Francis Electric, LLC of San Leandro, CA, for the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The City is responsible for operating and maintaining approximately 19,800 streetlights, including 2,269 decorative streetlights throughout the City, 624 of which are located in the downtown area. The Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED project will convert 133 decorative metal halide (MH) streetlights in the downtown area to Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires (Attachment A).
On February 20, 2025, the City received five bids for this project. Star Energy Management, Inc. submitted the lowest bid; however, they do not possess the electrical licenses required to perform this work as stated in the bid documents. Therefore, Public Works determined their bid was non-responsive. On February 27, 2025, Star Energy Management, Inc. submitted a bid protest. Public Works’ staff, in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office, reviewed the bid protest and determined that their bid was non-responsive.
It is recommended that Council award a Construction Contract to the lowest responsive bidder, St. Francis Electric, LLC, in the amount of $325,430. It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE05-25 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), approving the plans and specifications, and transferring funds for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2025 and be completed by fall 2025, weather permitting.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City is responsible for operating and maintaining approximately 19,800 streetlights, including 2,269 decorative MH streetlights throughout the City, 624 of which are located in the downtown area. Recent improvements to LED technology has increased efficiency and reduced initial product costs, making LED streetlights the preferred light source. LED streetlights use less energy, have a longer luminaire lifetime than MH, and reduce ongoing electricity and general maintenance costs. Conversion of these lights generates the most significant reduction in electrical consumption, with an average of 60 percent, which yields the greatest financial and carbon footprint impact.
On February 4, 2025, by Resolution No. 2025-02-04-1213, Council allocated $2 million in discretionary funding for the Light Up Stockton Project. The funding provides for the replacement and repairs of 367 non-functioning streetlights. Additionally, the project will convert the remaining 133 decorative MH streetlights in the downtown area to LED luminaires, providing more efficient and safer lighting for the public (Attachment A).
On July 26, 2016, Council adopted a Community Workforce and Training Agreement (CWTA). The CWTA became effective August 25, 2016, and applies to all Public Works projects over $1 million that are bid after that date. On July 16, 2019, by Motion No. 2019-07-16-1403, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2024. On August 20, 2024, by Motion No. 2024-08-20-1203, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2029. The CWTA was not applied to this project as the estimated construction cost is less than $1 million.
Present Situation
On January 31, 2025, the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049, was advertised for bids. On February 20, 2025, five bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT
Star Energy Management (Oroville, CA) $180,425
St. Francis Electric, LLC (San Leandro, CA) $325,430
Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC (Alviso, CA) $351,025
Ray’s Electric (Oakland, CA) $358,840
Tennyson Electric, Inc. (Livermore, CA) $429,525
Engineer’s Estimate $254,525
The requirements of Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.090, Local Business Preference, apply to this project. Application of the Local Business Preference has no effect on the bid order. The Local Employment Ordinance, SMC section 3.68.095, also applies to this contract.
On February 20, 2025, the City received five bids for this project. Star Energy Management, Inc. submitted the lowest bid; however, they were disqualified for not possessing the electrical licenses required to perform this work as stated in the bid documents. On February 27, 2025, Star Energy Management, Inc. submitted a bid protest against the City’s requirement for a Class-A California contractor’s license for this project. The City determined that Star Energy Management, Inc. failed to possess the required valid Class-A license at the time of bid. Public Works’ staff, in coordination with the City Attorney's Office, reviewed the bid protest in detail and determined that Star Energy Management, Inc.’s failure to comply with the Special Provisions and the California Business and Professions Code section 7028.15(e) resulted in a non-responsive bid.
The bid from St. Francis Electric, LLC, the lowest responsive bidder, is regular in all respects and has the proper license to perform the work. It is recommended that Council approve the plans and specifications, and award a Construction Contract to St. Francis Electric, LLC of San Leandro, CA, in the amount of $325,430, for the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049.
The project is in conformance with the City’s General Plan, pursuant to California Government Code, section 65402, and is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines. As a result, the project has been granted a categorical exemption. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE05-25 under CEQA.
Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2025 and be completed by fall 2025, weather permitting.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With the transfer of funds in the amount of $375,000 from the Light Up Stockton, Project No. WD25046, to the Decorative Street Light Conversion to LED, Project No. WD25049, there will be sufficient funds to award a Construction Contract to St. Francis Electric, LLC in the amount of $325,430.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map