title
APPROVE A MOTION AND RATIFY THE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF 17 SOLAR LIGHTS FOR THE MARCH LANE UNDERPASS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Approve findings and ratify the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Purchase Order to Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, TX, in the amount of $117,550, for the purchase of 17 solar lights to be installed along the March Lane Underpass between Bianchi Road and Fred Russo Drive.
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 motion.
body
Summary
On April 30, 2024, the City Manager approved an Emergency Purchase Order (PO) to Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, TX, in the amount of $117,550, for the purchase of 17 solar lights to be installed along the March Lane Underpass between Bianchi Road and Fred Russo Drive (Attachment A).
It is recommended that Council approve a motion ratifying the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency PO with Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, TX, in the amount of $117,550, for the purchase of 17 solar lights to be installed along the March Lane Underpass between Bianchi Road and Fred Russo Drive.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City is responsible for the operation and maintenance of approximately 19,800 streetlights. The copper wires that conduct electricity to the lights are accessed by pull boxes located on the sidewalk or the landscaped area next to the light. Wire thieves break into the pull boxes to steal wire and sell it to recyclers as scrap metal. Streetlight wire theft has increased dramatically in the last decade, coinciding with the increase in copper value. This phenomenon is not unique to Stockton; it is an issue that other agencies and industries contend with nationwide.
In 2015, Public Works Operations and Maintenance staff began experimenting with a
proprietary pull box lid made of steel with a unique locking mechanism. The locking pull
box lids were used successfully for approximately one year until thieves found ways to
break into these locking street lids.
In 2017, staff experimented with backfilling pull boxes with low-density concrete caps,
but thieves have managed to break through these caps as well.
On April 30, 2024, the City Manager approved an Emergency PO to Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, TX, in the amount of $117,550, for the purchase of 17 solar lights to be installed along the March Lane Underpass between Bianchi Road and Fred Russo Drive (Attachment A).
Present Situation
In August 2024, staff installed 17 solar lights along the March Lane Underpass median between Bianchi Road and Fred Russo Drive as a test pilot. The project is roughly six months underway and appears to look promising in terms of providing ample light during inclement weather and proving less attractive to theft and vandalism.
The Emergency PO was processed in accordance with Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, which provides an exception to the competitive bidding process under certain circumstances, including cases of emergencies. It is the goal of the department to bring emergency procurements to Council by the next scheduled Council meeting following the City Manager’s execution. However, workload, assigned priorities, and staffing shortages have caused delays in the timeline.
The total cost of the 17 solar lights from Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, TX, is $117,550. It is recommended that Council approve a motion ratifying the City Manager’s approval for the total expenditure of $117,550 for the emergency solar light purchases from Fonroche Lighting America of Forest Hill, CA, and the appropriate findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. Emergency replacement and installation along this heavily-used arterial roadway was necessary to protect public health and safety.
2. Failure to undertake an emergency procurement to repair the streetlights may contribute to impending vehicle and/or pedestrian accidents along this corridor.
3. The use of the Emergency PO procurement is appropriate for this purchase because it allows the City to immediately secure the purchase and delivery of these lights.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are sufficient funds in the Electrical and Traffic Signals - Measure K fund for the emergency purchase of 17 solar lights.
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 - Emergency PO to Fonroche Lighting America