REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Authorizing the Use of City Electric Forces at Various Locations
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Section 1310 of the Santa Clara City Charter, (Contracts on Public Works) states “that every contract involving an expenditure of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the construction or improvement (excluding maintenance and repair) of public buildings, works, streets, drains, sewers, utilities, parks and playgrounds shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder.” The section further states that “the City Council may declare and determine that, in its opinion, the work in question may be performed better or more economically by the City with its own employees, and after the adoption of a resolution to this effect by at least four affirmative votes, it may proceed to have said work done in the manner stated, without further observance of the provisions of this section.” Section 713 of the City Charter states in part that “an oral motion or order duly passed by the City Council and entered in the minutes of the Council shall have the same force and effect as a written Resolution duly introduced and passed by said City Council and shall be deemed to be a Resolution for all purposes.”
DISCUSSION
Staff believes that the work described below is best and most efficiently performed with City forces based upon the following factors: (1) the work is limited in size and scope; (2) City forces have knowledge and training in operating and maintaining the electric system that can be leveraged to more economically perform this work; and (3) bidding out the work and contracting with a private entity would not likely result in a lower overall cost or time savings. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council declare and determine that City forces can better perform the installation of the following electric facilities and approve the use of City forces.
Estimate Number: 38703
Location: 2300 Calle De Luna
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Install ±200' high voltage conductor, 6-600 A termination elbows, 30-600 A splices.
Estimated Cost: $115,747
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 37286
Location: 2920 Scott Boulevard
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Relocation of an existing padmount electrical transformer.
Estimated Cost: $37,663
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 35872
Location: 2330 Monroe Street
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Install 3-Overhead Cut Outs and Fuses, ±150' High Voltage Underground Wire, 3-Underground Splices, 3-200A Termination Elbows, 1-500KVA Padmount Transformer, 1-1200A Service Meter, 65-200A Residential Service Meters.
Estimated Cost: $44,102
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 37674
Location: 3941 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Install new padmount transformer and cut into existing underground distribution system to tie in new transformer.
Estimated Cost: $54,094
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Staff recommends that the City Council determine that the action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to the following sections of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations: (1) section 15302(c) (Class 2 - Replacement or Reconstruction) as the proposed work involves the replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible expansion of capacity; and (2) section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) as the proposed work involves the construction of a limited number of small electric utility facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funds to support the staff time for work performed by SVP and related construction materials for the work detailed in this report, totaling $251,606 are included in the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Capital Budget, New Business Estimate Work project in the Electric Utility Capital Fund. All referenced work will be performed with City Silicon Valley Power staff. Some work associated with encroachment permits may be performed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). DPW costs are recovered through payment of permit fees.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
In accordance with Section 713 of the City Charter, the City Council hereby resolves as follows:
1. Determine the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15302(c) (Class 2 - Replacement or Reconstruction) and 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations; and
2. Declare and determine that the public works located at 2300 Calle De Luna, 2920 Scott Boulevard, 2330 Monroe Street, and 3941 Stevens Creek Boulevard are better performed by the City with its own employees based on the information set forth in this Report to Council.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager