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APPROVE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A COOPERATIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF POST-TOP SOLAR LIGHTS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Approve the use of a Cooperative Purchase Agreement through Omnia Partners, Contract No. EV2370, with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $493,501.30, for the purchase of post-top solar lights.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Cooperative Purchase Agreement with Graybar Electric Company, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, in the not to exceed amount of $493,501.30, for the purchase of post-top solar lights.
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.
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Summary
The proposed Cooperative Purchase Agreement (COOP) with Graybar Electric Company, Inc. is for the purchase of 133 post-top solar lights to be installed along the Weston Ranch Greenbelt (Attachment A). The Graybar Electric Company, Inc. agreement was established through a competitive bid process conducted by Omnia Partners, based in Franklin, Tennessee.
On February 18, 2025, by Motion No. 2025-02-18-1202, Council approved a contract with Fonroche Lighting America for the purchase of solar lights to be installed along the Weston Ranch Greenbelt. However, during the field meeting with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), it was determined that the lights purchased did not meet the minimum height requirements under a PG&E transmission line. Due to safety risks, including high voltage, induction, and maintenance access, the lights did not meet the strict vertical and horizontal clearance requirements. The City found a new alternative to replace the post-top only within the Weston Ranch Greenbelt.
Omnia Partners is a national cooperative procurement organization that offers publicly solicited contracts to government entities nationwide. Use of a COOP streamlines administrative costs and procedures and takes advantage of volume purchasing while maintaining the integrity of the competitive bidding process.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a COOP through Omnia Partners with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $493,501.30, for the purchase of post-top solar lights (Attachment B).
Work is anticipated to begin and be completed by summer 2026.
DISCUSSION
Background
Public Works is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 63 parks, 159 courts (tennis, basketball, and handball), and approximately 717 lights within the City’s parks and public spaces. The copper wires that conduct electricity to the lights are accessed by pull boxes located next to the lights. Wire thieves break into the pull boxes to steal wire and sell it to recyclers as scrap metal. Light wire theft has increased dramatically in the last decade, coinciding with the increase in copper value. This is not unique to Stockton; it is an issue that other agencies and industries must contend with nationwide.
On February 18, 2025, by Motion No. 2025-02-18-1202, Council approved a contract with Fonroche Lighting America for the purchase of solar lights to be installed along the Weston Ranch Greenbelt. The solar lights were designed to provide 100 percent off-grid solar lighting, eliminating the need for copper wiring.
During the field meeting with PG&E, it was determined that the lights purchased did not meet the minimum height requirements under a PG&E transmission line. The poles were designed to be 20 feet in height. However, the clearance requirement between the pole and the high-voltage transmission line is 10 feet. This requires strict safety protocols during construction and ongoing maintenance, creating operational and safety challenges. The City requested a refund from Fonroche Lighting America, which was received on January 16, 2026.
In June 2025, staff installed two post-top solar lights along the Weston Ranch Greenbelt between Henry Long Boulevard and Sacchetti Circle as a pilot project. Staff evaluated the performance of the solar lights over a six-month period and determined that the post-top fixtures are well-suited for the area due to their light output, ease of installation, and long-term maintenance considerations.
Omnia Partners is a national cooperative procurement organization that offers publicly solicited contracts to government entities nationwide. Use of a COOP streamlines administrative costs and procedures and takes advantage of volume purchasing while maintaining the integrity of the competitive bidding process. Omnia Partners has Contract No. EV2370, with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., for electrical lighting, data communications, and security products and related products, services, and solutions.
Present Situation
Due to vandalism and copper wire theft, numerous lights along the Weston Ranch Greenbelt need to be replaced. In an effort to combat vandalism and reduce maintenance costs, Public Works is recommending installing post-top solar lighting within the Weston Ranch Greenbelt (Attachment A).
Graybar Electric Company, Inc. provides 100 percent off-grid post-top solar lighting systems, eliminating the need to install new foundations and poles and to run copper wire. Post-top solar lighting will be installed using existing concrete foundations and poles, making them difficult to access and vandalize.
Standard lead time for materials is 12 weeks upon issuance of the contract. City staff will begin installing the post-top solar lighting once all materials arrive. Work is anticipated to begin and be completed by summer 2026.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a COOP through Omnia Partners with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $493,501.30, for the purchase of post-top solar lights (Attachment B).
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. Omnia Partners, through the University of California Procurement Services, the lead public agency, established a COOP for electrical lighting, data communications, and security products and related products, services, and solutions, Contract No. EV2370.
2. The Request for Proposals (RFP) specifications used by Omnia Partners were assessed against the City’s standard RFP process and industry standards of quality and efficiency. The Procurement Division of the Administrative Services Department has determined that the contract meets the obligations of City procurement requirements.
3. Taking advantage of the leveraged procurement agreement negotiated by Omnia Partners will save the administrative expense of City staff conducting a separate procurement.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are sufficient funds available in the Weston Ranch Area Improvements, Project No. WP18004, to award a contract to Graybar Electric Company, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, in the not to exceed amount of $493,501.30.
Attachment A - Project Vicinity Map
Attachment B - COOP with Graybar Electric Company, Inc.