REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Authorizing the Use of City Electric Forces for a Project Located at 1000 Walsh Avenue
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: 38478
Location: 1000 Walsh Avenue
Type of Service: Load Increase
Description of Work: Installation of a new padmount transformer to provide 480 volt 3-phase electrical power for new electric vehicle fast chargers.
Estimated Cost: $50,075
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 section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations: 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, $50,075 in the 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 <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 Section 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 work located at 1000 Walsh Avenue 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 this public work consistent with this authorization.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager