DATE: November 5, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
TITLE: AMENDMENT 1 TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT WITH BEAR ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR ON-CALL TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLE REPLACEMENT, AS NEEDED TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE, AND ON-CALL AFTER HOUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL SERVICE
RECOMMENDATION
title
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Amendment 1 to the Public Works Agreement (PWA) with Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC, (BES) for on-call service for traffic signal pole replacement, preventative maintenance services, and after-hours signal service, increasing the annual contract amount from $100,000 to $300,000 for FY 2025-26 and up to $400,00 for FY 2026-27 and 2027-28 for a total not to exceed amount of $1,100,000; authorize the appropriation of $50,000 from General Fund Infrastructure Fund; authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the amendment upon receipt of all required documents; and authorize the Financial Services Director, or designee, to execute the change order.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City of Oceanside maintains 163 traffic signals. The City’s traffic signal maintenance section is currently short-staffed due to the recent retirement of the Senior Traffic Signal Technician and difficulties hiring qualified technicians. This has resulted in both the Senior Traffic Signal Technician and one of the Traffic Signal Technician positions remaining vacant for several months without qualified candidates. With only one technician still in training, the City faces a significant gap in its ability to maintain the traffic signal system without additional support from an external subcontractor.
In April 2025, staff issued three Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified traffic signal contractors to provide on-call services including pole replacement, preventative maintenance, and after-hours response. The purpose of the three RFPs was to secure contractors to provide as-needed support for the City’s traffic signal program and to help ensure compliance with Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) recommended staffing levels for municipal traffic signal maintenance program. BES was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for all three Request for Proposals.
The original agreement currently in place with BES was intended to address urgent or specialized electrical and signal needs. Given current staffing levels and the City’s ongoing efforts to recruit qualified personnel, additional funding is now recommended to ensure continued maintenance and timely response to service requests. The expanded scope will allow BES to assist with preventative maintenance, general repairs, and signal knockdown response, supporting continuity of operations and public safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
Amendment 1 to the PWA with BES for FY 2025-26 is $200,000 for a total amount not to exceed $300,000 and will be charged to Street Traffic Control account 640621101.5320, which has a current available balance of $65,181. Staff is requesting to use salary savings from the Senior Traffic Signal Technician position (MA30PW05) in the amount of $150,000. An appropriation in the amount of $50,000 from General Fund Infrastructure 101.3020.0054 will be needed to cover the remaining cost of the amendment. As a result, an appropriation of $50,000 is required from account 101.3020.0054 to 600639101.5320. The General Fund Infrastructure Reserves has an available balance of $29M; therefore, sufficient funds are available.
|
Description |
FY 25/26 Amount |
Appropriate |
Account |
Funding Source |
FY 25/26 Available Balance |
|
Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. |
$200,000 |
$150,000 |
640621101.5355 Street Traffic Control-Services |
640621101.5105 Street Traffic Control -Salary Savings |
$159,714 |
|
|
|
$50,000 |
600639101.5320 Knockdown Repairs |
101.3020.0054 General Fund Infrastructure Reserves |
$29M |
In the following fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, salary savings from the Senior Traffic Signal position MA30PW05 in the amount of $159,714 will be used. The remaining amount each year is to be covered by General Fund Infrastructure 101.3020.0054. If the Traffic Signal Technician is filled, then $90,286 will come from the General Fund as part of the annual budget process to cover the remainder of the contract.
The PWA with BES has two renewable options with a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. FY 2026-27 is a renewable option that would need an additional $95,000 from the General Fund included in the budget to cover the year’s cost of the amendment. FY 2027-28 would need an additional $110,000 from the General Fund included in the annual budget process to cover the year’s cost.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Does not apply.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
end
Prepared by: Teala Cotter, City Traffic Engineer
Reviewed by: Hamid Bahadori, Public Works Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Amendment 1 to Public Works Agreement - Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC