REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Award a Contract to Columbia Electric, Inc. in the Amount of $1,072,981.80 for Sunnyvale Avenue/California Avenue Traffic Signal Project and Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (PW26-10)
Report
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same form as Attachment 2 to the report in the amount of $1,072,981.80 to Columbia Electric, Inc. of San Leandro, CA;
- Make a finding of categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c);
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all necessary conditions have been met: and
- Approve a 10% contingency in the amount of $107,298.
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION
The Sunnyvale Avenue/California Avenue Traffic Signal Project, TR-26-01 was advertised on PlanetBids on March 13, 2026. Thirty-one (31) prospective bidders requested bid documents. Sealed bids were opened on April 8, 2026, with six (6) bids received. Columbia Electric, Inc. submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid of $1,072,981.80 (Attachment 1 - Bid Summary).
The project will replace traffic signal underground conduits, equipment, and signal pole structures at the intersection of Sunnyvale Avenue and California Avenue. The existing infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to improve safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency. Additionally, the updates will add protected left turns, providing green-yellow-red left turn arrows for all four approaches.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which applies to repair, maintenance or minor alterations of existing streets, sidewalks and pedestrian trails and similar facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use thereof.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget for this project is available in the General Fund and Fund 3101 - Capital Projects Fund - General Fund Assets under Project 837690 - Sunnyvale Avenue/California Avenue Traffic Signal Upgrade. The project is partially funded by the Housing Incentive Pool Program Grant Funds in the amount of $836,000. The project summary is attached as Attachment 3 to this report. Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Modification No. 12 was approved by City Council on February 10, 2026 (RTC 26-0003) to fully fund the project costs not covered by the grant or local match. Attachment 3 has not been updated to show the total project budget of $1,366,212.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
_X_ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Battaglia, Purchasing Officer
Reviewed by: Matthew Paulin, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Ramana Chinnakotla, Interim Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bid Summary
2. Draft General Construction Contract
3. Project Summary Sheet