Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: stephen bise, p.e., public works director PREPARED BY: DAVID GRANTHAM, P.E., CITY ENGINEER
BEATRIZ SARMIENTO, INTERIM LIBRARY DIRECTOR
ALEC MACLENNAN, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
SUBJECT: $375,700 contract with CABIFORNIA INC. FOR FULLERTON MAIN LIBRARY OSBORNE AUDITORIUM RENOVATION
SUMMARY
Award $375,700 construction contract to Cabifornia Inc. for the Fullerton Main Library Osborne Auditorium Renovation Project as part of the Main Library Building Forward Grant Project.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve Project 55062, Main Library Building Forward Grant, Fullerton Main Library Osborne Auditorium Renovation Project plans and specifications.
Award $375,700 construction contract for Main Library Building Forward Grant, Fullerton Main Library Osborne Auditorium Renovation Project to Cabifornia Inc. and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer the contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Authorize Public Works Director, or designee, to approve change orders for construction and professional engineering construction support services within the approved project budget.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Reject all bids
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget has sufficient funding for the project provided by a State Library Grant, Library Foundation and Friends of the Library funds. Staff budgeted these grant and restricted Library funds in Project 5062 Fullerton Main Library Osborne Auditorium Renovation Project within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74).
Staff attached a Budget Data Sheet / Summary of Bids and the Contractor Bid Schedule for reference (Attachments 1 and 2).
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-085 on December 5, 2023 accepting Building Forward Infrastructure Grant funds and a funding agreement between the City and California State Library for Main Library improvements. The California State Library awarded $778,055 with the City required to contribute $389,027 in matching funds. The Library Foundation and Friends of the Library provided matching funds totaling $194,513.50 each.
The project includes a variety of needed repairs and improvements to equipment and Main Library function which involves:
public and staff elevator repair and upgrade: complete emergency generator replacement: complete
Children’s Area renovation: partially complete
Osborne Auditorium renovation
Young Adult Area renovation
carpeting replacement – various locations.
The Osborne Auditorium renovation constructs an accessible ramp to the stage area, enlarges the stage and adds new lighting, ceiling tiles, cabinetry, painting and carpeting. The Library will undertake a separate audio-visual upgrade project after completing renovation as the state grant does not cover the audio-visual upgrades. These improvements would enhance events and rental opportunities.
Staff plans to allocate any remaining budget and renovation savings to renovate the Young Adult Area and / or carpet replacement. Staff will determine whether the Young Adult Area and carpet replacement projects will have sufficient funding or need a reduced scope after calculating the funds available after the renovation project.
The City received nineteen bids on February 26, 2026. Cabifornia Inc. of Mission Viejo submitted the lowest responsible base bid totaling $375,700. The low bid submitted is approximately 22% lower than the $480,000 consultant architect estimate. Staff reviewed the bid and found it acceptable. Additionally, staff completed a project reference check with another local City.
Construction would tentatively start late April with anticipated project completion in Summer 2026. Library staff would utilize other rooms and areas in the Library to accommodate construction activities.
Staff prepared an environmental assessment in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines and determined that the project is categorically exempt.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Budget Data / Summary of Bids
Attachment 2 – Bid Schedule
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Contract with Cabifornia Inc. for Main Library Osborne Auditorium Renovation Project March 17, 2026 - Page 2