title
ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE RULE 20A DOWNTOWN STREET LIGHTING PROGRAM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. NOE24-21 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program, Project No. WT15021.
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program, Project No. WT15021.
3. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $70,210 to Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., of Alviso, CA, for the Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program, Project No. WT15021.
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
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), under Tariff Rule 20, to budget monies to convert overhead facilities to underground. These undergrounding projects are commonly known as Rule 20A projects. On February 5, 2019, Council approved Resolution No. 2019-02-05-1120 which established a Rule 20A Downtown Underground Utility District for the area generally bounded by Miner Avenue, Sutter Street, Weber Avenue, and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). The Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting program will remove the streetlights from the existing utility poles and re-establish them on City standard streetlight poles within the Downtown Underground Utility District. The project was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On May 6, 2021, the City received three bids for this project. Staff recommends award of the Construction Contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $70,210. Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE24-21 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approving the plans and specifications for the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2021.
DISCUSSION
Background
PG&E is mandated by the CPUC, under Tariff Rule 20, to budget monies to convert overhead facilities to underground. These undergrounding projects are commonly known as Rule 20A projects. On February 5, 2019, Council approved Resolution No. 2019-02-05-1120 which established a Downtown Underground Utility District for the area generally bounded by Miner Avenue, Sutter Street, Weber Avenue, and the UPRR. PG&E is currently undergrounding their overhead utilities and will eventually remove the wooden poles within the district. PG&E is expected to complete their work by December 2021.
City street lighting is often attached to the utility wooden poles, and the City is responsible to remove and re-establish these lighting on City standard streetlight poles within the District. The Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program will fulfill this requirement. The project was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year CIP.
Design of the project was completed by the City in April 2021 and advertised for bids in May 2021.
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. The CWTA was not applied to this project as the lowest bid amount is less than $1 million.
Present Situation
On April 15, 2021, the Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program was advertised for bids. On May 6, 2021, three bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT ADJUSTED BID AMOUNT
(local preference applied)
Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. $ 70,210 $ 70,210
(Alviso, CA)
Star Energy Management, Inc. $119,250 $119,250
(Oroville, CA)
St. Francis Electrical, LLC $137,000 $137,000
(San Leandro, CA)
Engineer’s Estimate $123,310
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.
The bid from Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, is regular in all respects. Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. has the proper license to perform the work, and their bid is approximately 43 percent lower than the engineer’s estimate. Staff recommends Council approve the plans and specifications for the project and award a Construction Contract to Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., of Alviso, CA, in the amount of $70,210.
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(c) 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. NOE24-21 under CEQA. Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2021.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Sufficient funds are available in the Rule 20A Downtown Street Lighting Program, Project No. WT15021 (formerly PW1521), Account No. 4570-000-800007-300-000-30-45-000-000, to award a Construction Contract to Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $70,210.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map