Kim Sitton
Finance Director
August 20, 2025
That the City Council discuss
the Corona Municipal Code
proposed updates and
authorization changes related
to purchasing
2 Problems Solutions
• Make the process quicker, more
efficient & simpler
• Enhance reporting, documentation,
and communication
• Exercise balance between control
and efficiency
• Analyze best practices and update
the Municipal Code appropriately
Process takes too long (more than a year
in some rare cases)
Outdated Municipal Code
Process is too complex
Reporting and documentation issues
Communication and information gaps
3 Discussed proposed changes to the Purchasing Ordinance, ranging from language cleanup to authorization levels
o Based on staff’s understanding of direction, Council supported recommended changes, including:
• City Manager Authority up to $220,000 for public projects and supplies, materials, and equipment Changes Requested by Council:
o Section 3.08.040 (B) Basis of awards
o Section 3.08.040 (L) Delegation of department director authority Not approved by Council and more information requested:
o CM Authority for non-public projects - professional services, consultants, etc. (staff's understanding) o Asked to see City Manager Authority levels of other cities for non-public projects 4 Staff brought back CMC Changes requested
o Section 3.08.040 (B) Basis of awards
• Updated language to show “lowest responsive and responsible bidder” • Added sentence that refers to other “relevant factors” o Section 3.08.040 (L) Delegation of department director authority • Request to have the delegation limited to 30 days, unless approved by CM • Code already requires CM approval, no change to CMC
• Purchasing Manual process will be updated to reflect the change Staff brought back CM Authority Levels of Surrounding Cities for Non-Public Projects o Council directed staff to move forward with $125,000 for CM Authority • Staff understood this to be for non-public projects only • Prior direction on public projects and goods/materials/equipment to remain unchanged Staff brought back 2nd reading of Ordinance with all proposed changes, based on understood direction from Council
Staff Report did have inconsistencies
o Didn’t change from 1st reading based on internal processes – lead to confusion Council asked to bring item back and clarify
6 Position
Current
Limits
Non-Public Projects Public
Projects
Goods, Materials, and
Equipment
Department Directors $60,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
Public Works Director,
Utilities Director,
Assistant City Manager
$75,000 Removed - Included
above
Removed – included
above
Removed – included
above
City Manager $100,000 $125,000 $220,000 $220,000
How Awarded? Best interests of the City
(qualifications, competence,
suitability, and cost)
Lowest responsive
and responsible
bidder
Lowest responsive and
responsible
bidder
7 Non-Public Project Examples – Professional services, consultants, janitorial services, pest control, and maintenance.
Public Project Examples – Building construction, bridge construction, waterline replacement, and pavement rehabilitation Goods, Materials, and Equipment Examples – Fuel, office supplies, computer equipment, software, pipeline materials, vehicle parts, and irrigation supplies
8 Position
Current
Limits
Non-Public Projects Public
Projects
Goods, Materials, and
Equipment
Department Directors $60,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
Public Works Director,
Utilities Director,
Assistant City Manager
$75,000 Removed - Included
above
Removed – included
above
Removed – included
above
City Manager $100,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000
How Awarded? Best interests of the City
(qualifications, competence,
suitability, and cost)
Lowest responsive
and responsible
bidder
Lowest responsive and
responsible
bidder
Non-Public Project Examples – Professional services, consultants, janitorial services, pest control, and maintenance Public Project Examples – Building construction, bridge construction, waterline replacement, and pavement rehabilitation Goods, Materials, and Equipment Examples – Fuel, office supplies, computer equipment, software, pipeline materials, vehicle parts, and irrigation supplies
9 Non-Public Project Examples – Professional services, consultants, janitorial services, pest control, and maintenance.
Public Project Examples – Building construction, bridge construction, waterline replacement, and pavement rehabilitation Goods, Materials, and Equipment Examples – Fuel, office supplies, computer equipment, software, pipeline materials, vehicle parts, and irrigation supplies
Position
Current
Limits
Non-Public Projects Public
Projects
Goods, Materials, and
Equipment
Department Directors $60,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
Public Works Director,
Utilities Director,
Assistant City Manager
$75,000 Removed - Included
above
Removed – included
above
Removed – included
above
City Manager $100,000 ? ? ?
How Awarded? Best interests of the City
(qualifications, competence,
suitability, and cost)
Lowest responsive
and responsible
bidder
Lowest responsive and
responsible
bidder
Approval of Option A
Aug. 20, 2025 = 2nd Reading
Effective Sept. 19, 2025
Approval of Option B or C
Aug. 20, 2025 = 1st Reading
Sept. 3, 2025 = 2nd Reading
Effective Oct. 3, 2025
That the City Council discuss
the Corona Municipal Code
proposed updates and
authorization changes related
to purchasing
11 (951) 279-3500
[email protected]
www.CoronaCA.gov
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