REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Award of Contract in the Amount of $645,791.50 to Columbia Electric, Inc. for Pedestrian Signal Improvements on Various Locations 2024 and Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (PW25-09)
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 $645,791.50 to Columbia Electric, Inc. of Hayward, CA;
- Approve a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $64,579;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all necessary conditions have been met; and
- Make a finding of a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which applies to the operation, repairs, maintenance, and minor alterations of existing facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.
Report
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION
The Pedestrian Signal Improvements on Various Locations 2024 Project (Project No. TR-25-12) involves pedestrian signal replacement costs of the controller, lights, batteries, solar panels, controller/batteries enclosure, push buttons, flashing beacons, signs, and poles of in pavement-lighted crosswalk warning and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon systems. These systems improve pedestrian safety and require periodic maintenance and replacement. Precise locations are listed on Attachment 2 - Draft General Construction Contract - Exhibit A.
The Invitation for Bids for this project was advertised on PlanetBids on July 11, 2025. Twenty-six (26) contractors requested bid documents. Sealed bids were opened on August 28, 2025, with two (2) responsive bids received. Columbia Electric, Inc. submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid of $645,791.50 (Attachment 1, Bid Summary).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which applies to minor alteration of existing facilities, mechanical equipment, highways and streets involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that which presently exists.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funding is available in the General Fund under Project 825730 - Pedestrian Lighted Crosswalk Maintenance and Replacement. A project summary is included as Attachment 3 to this report.
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: Chip Taylor, 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 825730