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.”
DISCUSSION
Staff believes that the work described below is better 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: 38743
Location: 2300 Agnew Road
Type of Service: Street Lights
Description of Work: Installation of 3 new streetlights on Agnew Road adjacent to San Tomas Aquino Creek in Santa Clara.
Estimated Cost: $10,871
Appropriation: Street Lighting Capital Fund (534) Project 2871 - Miscellaneous Street Lighting
Source of Revenue: Customer Service Charges
Estimate Number: 35738
Location: 3131 Homestead Avenue
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Remove 1 padmount transformer, ± 2000' high voltage underground wire. Install 1 padmount switch, 1 air switch, 3 padmount transformers, ± 2000' high voltage underground wire, and 229 - 120/208 V service meters.
Estimated Cost: $321,174
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 38375
Location: 2310 Calle Del Mundo
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Install 800A meter.
Estimated Cost: $2,032
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 38322
Location: 795 Comstock Street
Type of Service: Load Increase
Description of Work: Pole and overhead transformer replacement for customer service upgrade.
Estimated Cost: $14,866
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 38766
Location: 750 Washington Street
Type of Service: Load Increase
Description of Work: Overhead transformer replacement for customer service upgrade.
Estimated Cost: $9,240
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 or installation 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 are included in the FY 2023/24 Adopted CIP Budget, $347,312 in the New Business Estimate Work project in the Electric Utility Capital Fund and $10,871 in the Miscellaneous Street Lighting project in the Street Lighting 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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
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 in accordance with Section 1310 of the City Charter that the public works located at 2300 Agnew Road, 3131 Homestead Avenue, 2310 Calle Del Mundo, 795 Comstock Street, and 750 Washington Street are better performed by the City with its own employees based on the information set forth in this Report to Council and authorize the performance of these public works consistent with this authorization.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager