REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Authorizing the Use of City Electric Forces at Various Locations
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Charter Section 1310 titled Contracts on Public Works states, in part, “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 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 make a finding that City forces can better perform the installation of the following electric facilities and approve the use of City forces.
Estimate Number: 38259
Location: 902 Lexington Street
Type of Service: Load Increase
Description of Work: Remove existing overhead and underground service cables, install overhead transformers, and upgrade new service cables.
Estimated Cost: $12,743
Appropriation: Electric Utility Capital Fund (591) Project 2005 - New Business Estimate Work
Source of Revenue: Customer/Developer Contribution
Estimate Number: 38305
Location: 3131 Homestead Road
Type of Service: New Business
Description of Work: Install (1) 750 kva padmount transformer, +-50' high voltage underground wire, (6) underground splices, (6) termination elbows, (1) 1600A service meter.
Estimated Cost: $36,272
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 actions being considered are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections (1) 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) 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 $49,015 are included in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Capital Budget, New Business Estimate Work project in the Electric Utility Capital Fund. All referenced work will be performed with City Electric Forces (SVP 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
Determine the proposed actions are exempt from CEQA and adopt a Resolution authorizing the use of City Electric Forces for work detailed in this report located at 902 Lexington Street and 3131 Homestead Road.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution - Use of City Electric Forces