HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-23; City Council; 05; Acceptance of Bids, Award of Construction Contract to Towo Enterprise, Inc. for Phase 2 of the Barrio Street Lighting Project and Authorizing a Budget Transfer of FederalCA Review TL
Meeting Date: Sept. 23, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Brandon Miles, Associate Engineer
brandon.miles@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2745
Subject: Acceptance of Bids, Award of Construction Contract to Towo Enterprise,
Inc. for Phase 2 of the Barrio Street Lighting Project and Authorizing a
Budget Transfer of Federal Grant Funding from the Barrio Traffic Calming
Project to the Barrio Street Lighting Project
District: 1
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting the bids, awarding a contract to Towo Enterprise, Inc. for Phase 2
of the Barrio Street Lighting Project in an amount not to exceed $2,387,993 and authorizing a
budget transfer of $1,500,000 of federal grant funding from the Barrio Traffic Calming Project
to the Barrio Street Lighting Project.
Executive Summary
The Barrio is the City of Carlsbad’s oldest neighborhood and home to the Senior Center,
Harding and Pine community centers, Chase Field, and Pine Avenue Community Park, a
community garden and ballfields used by residents from throughout the city.
The Barrio Street Lighting Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4013, is designed
to provide enhanced safety and livability in this neighborhood consistent with the values
emphasized in the Village & Barrio Master Plan. Phase 1 of the project, which was focused on
streetlights instead of pedestrian lights, has been completed.
Phase 2 of the project focuses on adding new pedestrian lights to enhance pedestrian visibility
and safety while creating a welcoming streetscape during evening hours.
Staff request that the City Council accept the bids, award a construction contract to Towo
Enterprise, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in an amount not to exceed
$2,387,993 for the project, and authorize a budget transfer of $1.5 million of federal grant
funding from the Barrio Traffic Calming Project (Capital Improvement Program Project No.
4015) to the Barrio Street Lighting Project (Project No. 4013).
No additional appropriation is required to complete the project.
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 1 of 9
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Carlsbad Municipal Code Sections 3.28.080(C) and 3.28.080(I)(6), which cover purchasing in
construction contracts, require the City Council’s approval for all formally bid contracts when
the value exceeds $220,000, as this project does.
Explanation & Analysis
Streetlights – Phase 1
Thirteen new streetlights were added to the Barrio in 2021-22 as part of Phase 1 of the Barrio
Street Lighting project. Locations were selected based on prior community input acquired
during development of the Village & Barrio Master Plan, technical analysis, city engineering
standards and lighting guidelines for areas with little to no existing streetlights.1
Streetlights were mounted on higher, 24-foot new poles or existing utility poles to ensure street
crossings and intersections are well lit for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
New pedestrian lights – Phase 2
Over 100 new pedestrian-scale lights are proposed throughout the Barrio to enhance sidewalk
illumination and improve safety for people walking after dark.
• The new lights are considered “pedestrian lights,” rather than streetlights.
• They are smaller than the existing streetlights, on shorter 17-foot poles and not as
bright.
• The lights are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and will have a warmer color than the lights in
the Village and the Barrio’s existing streetlights while producing the same amount of
brightness.
• qBased on community feedback, the city will use the same style of lights that are
currently used in the Village.
1 The City Council adopted the Village & Barrio Master Plan in 2018. The plan was amended in 2019, 2021 and
2023.
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 2 of 9
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Community feedback
The project was developed as part of the Village & Barrio Master Plan, which included
significant input from the community. Since that time, staff have kept the community informed
about the project and invited feedback, as outlined below:
•On Sept. 17, 2019, staff provided an informational presentation to the City Council
describing the project status and an anticipated timeline for the project.
•In 2022, the city gathered additional community input to help understand where more
lighting was needed.
•Most recently, as part of the Phase 2 design, staff notified affected property owners,
business owners, residents and others who may be interested in the project of the
proposed locations through a direct mailer. The mailer, which was in English and
Spanish, was also left at the front door of properties where construction of the lighting
poles would need permission for right of entry. Staff also placed copies at all city
facilities in the Barrio. Community members were invited to contact the city’s project
manager with questions or concerns.
•Staff also notified those who signed up to receive emails about project updates and
posted on Nextdoor.
Ultimately, pedestrian light locations were chosen based on community input and technical
lighting studies evaluating darkness levels while ensuring the preservation of the large trees in
the area.
Bidding process
To ensure a fair and competitive selection for Phase 2 of the project, the city followed its formal
bidding procedures to solicit construction bids.
•The City Council adopted the plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorized advertising Phase 2 of the project for construction bids on July 15, 2025.
(Resolution No. 2025-164) The project was then advertised using the city’s formal
bidding procedures.
•Staff received 11 bids for construction on Sept. 10, 2025.
•Staff reviewed the bids and found that Towo Enterprise, Inc., was the lowest responsible
bidder, with a responsive bid in an amount not to exceed $2,387,993.
•Towo Enterprise, Inc. was found to be responsive because its bid meets the
requirements of the bidding documents and responsible because it submitted a list of
similar projects to show its capability and qualifications to perform the specified work.
Federal grant
In 2021, the city collaborated with U.S. Rep. Mike Levin to secure up to $5 million in federal
funding which is being administered by the California Department of Transportation. (Caltrans).
Of this amount, $2.5 million has been set aside for the construction of the Barrio Traffic
Calming Project and $2.5 million for the construction of the Barrio Street Lighting Project. This
funding will help offset the overall construction costs.
On Aug. 20, 2025, Caltrans approved an updated allocation of $2.5 million in federal funds to
the Barrio Street Lighting project and issued a revised authorization to proceed with
construction, allowing the city to proceed with advertising the project for construction bids.
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 3 of 9
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Fiscal Analysis
The project’s budget includes $2.5 million of federal grant funding. Additional sufficient funds
have also been previously appropriated from gas tax, TransNet2 local and General Capital
Construction funds to Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4013.
The available funds and estimated construction costs are shown in the following table:
In accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.040(C)(5), the City Manager or
designee is authorized to approve change orders in an amount equal to the contingency set at
the time of project award, which for this project is $515,000.
Because the federal grant funding was initially allocated as $4 million to the Barrio Traffic
Calming Project (Project No. 4015) and $1 million for the Barrio Street Lighting Project
(Project No. 4013), a budget transfer is required to reflect the revised allocation of $2.5 million
to each project. The City Council’s authorization is required to transfer $1.5 million of the
federal grant funding from the Barrio Traffic Calming Project, Project No. 4015, to the Barrio
Street Lighting Project, to Project No. 4013.
The estimated remaining balance for the Barrio Street Lighting Project is approximately $2
million with the additional budget transfer of federal funding. Staff will return the General
Capital Construction and TransNet funds that had been designated for the project to their
respective funding sources.
The fiscal year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program budget included $1.03 million of
additional TransNet funding that was forecasted to be used, but not yet appropriated, for
1TransNet is a countywide sales tax collected to fund regional transportation projects.
Barrio Street Lighting Project
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4013
Total appropriation to date $4,524,260
Federal funding transfer from Project No. 4015 to Project No. 4013 $1,500,000
Total expenditures and encumbrances to date -$589,824
Total available balance $5,434,436
Additional project costs
Construction contract (Towo Enterprise, Inc.) -$2,387,993
Construction contingency -$515,000
Construction management, inspection, material testing and support
services (estimated) -$500,000
Total estimated construction costs -$3,402,993
Remaining balance $2,031,503
Additional appropriation needed $0
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 4 of 9
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construction of the Barrio Street Lighting Project. With the transfer of additional federal
funding to this project, and in light of the favorable bids received, the additional TransNet
budget for construction of this project is not needed.
Environmental Evaluation
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and the Environmental
Protection Act, the project was previously evaluated in the Final Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration State Clearinghouse (Final IS/MND SCH No. 2016021056), dated April
2018, as part of the City of Carlsbad Village & Barrio Master Plan. The Final IS/MND evaluated
the potential environmental effects of the project components described in the Carlsbad Village
& Barrio Master Plan. The project is within the scope of the Final IS/MND, and no further CEQA
documentation is required under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162. All applicable mitigation
measures contained in the prior environmental document have either been satisfied previously,
or will be incorporated into the project, or are conditions of approval for the project.
The project is exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, review as outlined
in NEPA Regulation 23, which applies to federally funded projects receiving less than $5 million
or with a total estimated cost of not more than $30 million. Caltrans’ determination of
exclusion is recorded in a categorical exclusion determination form dated May 5, 2023.
Additionally, the categorical exclusion determination was revalidated on May 21, 2025, to verify
the environmental documents and decisions remained valid.
Next Steps
Once the City Council accepts the bids and awards the construction contract to Towo
Enterprise, Inc., staff will issue a purchase order, schedule a pre-construction meeting with
Towo Enterprise, Inc. and issue a notice to proceed for construction of the project.
Construction is expected to commence in late 2025 with a duration of about 12 months and an
estimated completion of late 2026.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Location map
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 5 of 9
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Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-211
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE BIDS, AWARDING A CONTRACT TO TOWO
ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR PHASE 2 OF THE BARRIO STREET LIGHTING
PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,387,993 AND AUTHORIZING
A BUDGET TRANSFER OF $1,500,000 OF FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FROM
THE BARRIO TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT TO THE BARRIO STREET LIGHTING
PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined it necessary,
desirable and in the public interest to construct Phase 2 of the Barrio Street Lighting Project, Capital
Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 4013, or Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project focuses on adding pedestrian lights to enhance pedestrian visibility and
safety while creating a welcoming streetscape during evening hours; and
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-164, adopting the
plans, specifications and contract documents and authorizing advertisement for construction bids for
the Project; and
WHEREAS, on Sept. 10, 2025, staff received 11 bids for construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, Towo Enterprise, Inc. submitted the lowest responsive bid in an amount not to
exceed $2,387,993, and staff determined Towo Enterprise, Inc. is a responsible bidder; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funding from a federal grant program, Gas Tax, TransNet, and General
Capital Construction funds contribute a combined total of $4,524,260 toward the Project, including
$1.0 million in federal grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Project appropriation includes $2.5 million of federal grant funding, including
the original $1 million plus a $1.5 million transfer approved by the California Department of
Transportation on August 20, 2025, which approval included authorization to proceed with
construction and bids; and
WHEREAS, the original allocation of federal grant funding to the Project was $1.0 million, and
to reflect the revised allocation of $2.5 million of federal grant funding, a budget transfer of $1.5 million
is required from the Barrio Traffic Calming Project (CIP Project No. 4015) to the Barrio Lighting Project
(CIP Project No. 4013); and
WHEREAS, Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.040(C)(5) authorizes the City
Manager or designee to approve change orders in an amount equal to the contingency set at the time
of project award, which for this project is $515,000.
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 6 of 9
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Council has determined that in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and the Environmental Protection Act, the project
was previously evaluated in the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration State
Clearinghouse (Final IS/MND SCH No. 2016021056), dated April 2018, as part of the City
of Carlsbad Village & Barrio Master Plan. The Final IS/MND evaluated the potential
environmental effects of the project components described in the Carlsbad Village &
Barrio Master Plan. The project is within the scope of the Final IS/MND, and no further
CEQA documentation is required per CEQA guidelines Section 15162. All applicable
mitigation measures contained in the prior environmental document have either been
satisfied previously, or will be incorporated into the project, or are conditions of
approval for the project. The Project is exempt from the National Environmental Policy
Act, or NEPA, review as outlined in NEPA Regulation 23, which applies to federally
funded projects receiving less than $5 million or with a total estimated cost of not more
than $30 million. Caltrans’ determination of exclusion is recorded in a categorical
exclusion, or CE, determination form dated May 5, 2023. Additionally, the CE
determination was revalidated on May 21, 2025, to verify the environmental documents
and decisions remained valid.
3.That the lowest responsive bid of $2,387,993 submitted by Towo Enterprise, Inc., a
responsible bidder, for construction of the Phase 2 of the Barrio Street Lighting Project,
CIP Project No. 4013, is accepted, and the Mayor is authorized to execute the contract
for the Project.
4.That the City Manager or designee is authorized to perform a budget transfer of $1.5
million of federal grant funding from the Barrio Traffic Calming Project (CIP Project No.
4015) to the Barrio Street Lighting Project (CIP Project No. 4013).
5.That the City Manager or designee is authorized to approve construction change orders
up to $515,000 for the Project.
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 7 of 9
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6.That the City Manager or designee is authorized to sign all other documents necessary
for regulatory compliance, to extend funding opportunities, or to otherwise implement
and finalize the Project, all of which are subject to review and approval as to form by
the City Attorney’s office.
7.That the award of this contract is contingent upon Towo Enterprise, Inc. executing the
contract and submitting the required bonds and insurance policies, as described in the
contract, within 20 calendar days after adoption of this Resolution. The City Manager
may grant reasonable extensions of time to execute the contract and assemble the
required bonds and insurance policies.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the 23rd day of September, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 8 of 9
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PLOTTED BY: Andy Chang PLOT DATE: 6/2/2025 PATH: J:\AC_Customers\Brandon_Miles\LocationMaps\4013_Barrio_Lighting\BarrioLighting_06-02-25.mxd
PROJECT NAME EXHIBITPROJECTNUMBER40132BARRIO STREET LIGHTING PHASE II
LOCATION MAP
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CARLSBAD
VISTA
SAN MARCOS
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OCEANSIDE
!.BARRIO PEDLIGHT
SITE
Exhibit 2
Sept. 23, 2025 Item #5 Page 9 of 9
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