FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE April 15, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Kristin Arnold, P.E. Public Works Director
SUBJECT Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Contract to Argo Construction, Inc. for Fire Station 21 Remodel Project and Authorize Town Manager to Execute the Contract and Pay an Amount Not to Exceed $1,036,000 with an Additional Contingency of $98,953; this resolution is not expanding the total project cost, which remains estimated at $1.6 million
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt the resolution to award the contract to Argo Construction Inc. and authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract and pay the total project amount not to exceed $1,036,000 with an additional contingency of $98,953. This resolution is not expanding the total project cost, which remains estimated at $1.6 million
BACKGROUND
The Town of Fairfax owns and maintains Fire Station 21 (Station 21), located at 10 Park Road, Fairfax, which is used by the Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD). Station 21, built in 1974, requires significant updates to meet modern safety and operational standards. Below is a brief timeline for the project:
• December 2023 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Fairchild Broms Design (FBD) to prepare construction documents and specifications for the project.
• September 2024 – The Council reviewed options for upgrading Station 21 and selected Option 1:
Comprehensive Remodel of the Upstairs Portion of the Station. This option addresses longstanding operational improvements and accommodates additional fire personnel required under the Ross Valley Fire Department Joint Powers Agreement (RVFD JPA). The estimated cost for this option is approximately $1.5 million.
• February 2025 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to execute the first amendment to add necessary additional documentation to the project to address code related upgrades required by the improvements. This meeting also provided a detailed update on the status of the project. • August 2025 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to execute the second amendment with Fairchild Broms Design to prepare a cost estimate based on the design development drawings. • October 2025 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to execute a $1,600,000 loan agreement with Marin County to complete the remodel project.
• December 2025 – Council authorized the Town Manager to execute a third design amendment with the architect to include assistance during construction and to lease temporary office space at 21 Park Road.
• February 2026 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with O’Neill Built Construction to remodel the Community Center into Temporary Living Quarters for fire personnel.
• March 2026 – The Council authorized the Town Manager to execute the fourth amendment with Fairchild Broms Design for construction management services.
DISCUSSION
The Town issued a call for bids with a deadline of March 20, 2026. Seven bids were received, ranging from $1,036,000 to $1,592,100, as summarized in Table 1 below. Argo Construction, Inc. submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $1,036,000, which was reviewed and deemed both responsive and responsible. No bid protests were received.
Table 1 – Bid Results
Alex Kushner General $1,135,000
Beam Construction $1,205,211
Kirby Construction $1,189,600
Argo Construction $1,036,000
Murray Building $1,066,538
One Workplace $1,592,100
Belz Construction $1,060,000
Argo Construction, Inc. has performed similar projects and is currently completing construction of the Ross Valley Fire Station 20 project in San Anselmo. Staff verified that Argo Construction, Inc. possesses a valid California Class B General Building Contractor’s License, confirming its qualification to perform the work.
Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt a resolution awarding the contract to Argo Construction as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $1,036,000. Staff further recommends that the Council waive the bid irregularity related to a computation of the bid schedule, as it does not confer a competitive advantage and does not materially affect the bid as submitted (see Public Contract Code section 5103; cf. Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. v. City Council (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1432).
Argo Construction is anticipated to start construction in May 2026. The temporary living quarters are nearly complete, and Ross Valley Fire Department personnel are scheduled to move into the temporary quarters in early May 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract with Argo Construction, Inc has a not-to-exceed amount of $1,036,000. Staff recommends including a contingency of $98,953 to address unforeseen conditions, resulting in a total estimated construction cost of $1,134,953. This construction cost is included within the total project budget of $1,600,000, which also covers design services, construction management, temporary living quarters, sewer lateral work, temporary office relocation, restoration of the Community Center to office use, and final staff relocation.
This project is funded through a loan from Marin County, to be repaid over a five-year period beginning in FY 2026–27.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
1 ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX AWARDING A CONTRACT TO ARGO CONSTRUCTION INC; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR THE STATION 21 REMODEL PROJECT AND PAY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,036,000, WITH AN ADDITIONAL CONTINGENCY OF $98,953 WHEREAS, the Fire Station 21 Remodel Project, located at 10 Park Road, is necessary to update the facility to meet current safety and operational standards for Ross Valley Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the Town conducted a competitive bidding process and received seven bids on March 20, 2026, and Argo Construction, Inc. was selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; and WHEREAS, the Bid Proposal from Argo Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1,036,000 was the lowest and was deemed responsive and responsible; and WHEREAS, a contingency of $98,953 will be included in the budget to address any unforeseen conditions for a total potential contract cost of $1,134,953; and WHEREAS, funds are currently available in the Capital Improvement Program under fund 53-839; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of the Town of Fairfax California:
1) Hereby authorizes the Town Manager to execute and pay for a contract with Argo Construction for the Fire Station 21 Remodel Project in the amount of $1,036,000 and include a Contingency of $98,953 for a total potential contract cost of up to $1,134,953. 2) Waives the bid irregularity related to a computation of the bid schedule, as it does not confer a competitive advantage and does not materially affect the bid as submitted (see Public Contract Code section 5103; cf. Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. v. City Council (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1432).
The foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax at a duly noticed meeting held in said Town on the 15th day of April, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST
______________________________ _________________________________
STEPHANIE HELMAN CHRISTINE FOSTER
MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLERK