title
ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE HARDING WAY LEFT-TURN POCKETS PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appropriate State Highway Safety Improvement Program funds in the amount of $146,340 to the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
2. Appropriate $452,000 from the Public Facilities Fee Traffic Signal Fund Balance to the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
3. Appropriate $260,167 from the Public Facilities Fee Air Quality Fund Balance to the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
4. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. NOE50-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
5. Approve the plans and specifications for the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
6. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $1,519,552 to Dirt Dynasty, Inc. of Farmington, CA, for the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
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.
body
Summary
The Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets project will install separate left-turn lanes, upgrade signals, and install high friction surface treatment at the intersections of Harding Way with Lincoln Street and with Pacific Avenue/Madison Avenue (Attachment A). The project was approved under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and was included in the 2021-26 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On September 18, 2025, the City received four bids for this project. The lowest bidder, Ray’s Electric, was deemed non-responsive. It is recommended that Council award a Construction Contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Dirt Dynasty, Inc., in the amount of $1,519,552. It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE50-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), approving the plans and specifications, and appropriating funds for the project.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and be completed by fall 2026, weather permitting.
DISCUSSION
Background
The HSIP is a core federal-aid program established to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California’s local agency share of HSIP funds. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors. Local HSIP projects are prioritized based on crash experience, benefit from counter measures, or other data-supported means.
In October 2020, the City submitted nine grant applications to Caltrans for Cycle 10 of the HSIP grant program, including the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets project.
The Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets project will install separate left-turn lanes, upgrade signals, and install high friction surface treatment at the intersections of Harding Way with Lincoln Street and with Pacific Avenue/Madison Avenue. These identified safety improvement measures will reduce left-turn conflicts and enhance visibility. The project was included in the 2021-26 Five-Year CIP.
In March 2021, the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195), was approved for HSIP funding for design and construction. In January 2022, the City received approval from the State to commence design work. In June 2025, the City received approval to commence the construction process. This project is 90 percent State funded. A 10 percent local match is required as part of the grant.
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 applied to this project as the estimated construction cost was over $1 million.
Present Situation
On August 21, 2025, the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195), was advertised for bids. On September 18, 2025, four bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT
Ray’s Electric (Oakland, CA) $1,442,868.35
Dirt Dynasty, Inc. (Farmington, CA) $1,519,552.00
B&M Builders, Inc. (Rancho Cordova, CA) $1,567,785.00
FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. (Livermore, CA) $1,584,763.00
Engineer’s Estimate $1,640,485.00
State and federal funding programs prohibit the use of the Local Employment Ordinance, Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.095, and the Local Business Preference Ordinance, SMC section 3.68.090.
Public Works’ staff, with the assistance of the City Attorney’s Office, reviewed the bid from the lowest bidder, Ray’s Electric, and determined that the bid was non-responsive based on the requirements of Caltrans’ Local Assistance Procedures Manual, Section 15.5.1. Specifically, their bid price for Bid Item No. 25 - micro surface high friction surface treatment - was more than 70 percent different than all other bidders, making it mathematically and materially unbalanced. Given the mathematical and material unbalance for Bid Item No. 25, the bid as presented by Ray’s Electric would not represent the lowest ultimate cost to the City. Ray’s Electric was notified of this determination by letter dated October 7, 2025.
The bid from Dirt Dynasty, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, is regular in all respects. It is recommended that Council approve the plans and specifications, and award a Construction Contract to Dirt Dynasty, Inc. of Farmington, CA, in the amount of $1,519,552, for the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195).
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 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines. 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. NOE50-24 under CEQA. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and be completed by fall 2026, weather permitting.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With the appropriation of funds to the Harding Way Left-Turn Pockets, Project No. WT22046/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(195), there will be sufficient funds to award a Construction Contract in the amount of $1,519,552 to Dirt Dynasty, Inc.
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