ORDINANCE NO. 617-25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 3.08 OF THE MURRIETA MUNICIPAL CODE GRANTING THE CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY FOR FLEET PURCHASES WITHIN BUDGET LIMITS.
Summary: This ordinance authorizes the City Manager to purchase fleet vehicles without requiring Council approval, provided that the cost of an individual vehicle does not exceed $100,000.00 and the total purchase of multiple vehicles remains within the allocated amount in the fiscal year’s adopted budget, as amended.
WHEREAS, the City Manager has the power to direct and supervise all the purchasing activities of the City; and WHEREAS, the City of Murrieta Procurement Policy authorizes the City Manager to make and enter into agreements for the purchase of commodities up to $100,000.00; and WHEREAS, the Murrieta Police Department, as well as other City departments, regularly need to replace or procure new vehicles that individually or cumulatively exceed the City Manager’s general signature authority for commodities; and WHEREAS, as a result of limited inventory of new vehicles and delays in the manufacturing and acquisition of parts, replacement vehicles can be difficult to locate and obtain and often sell quickly once available at a local dealer; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopts a budget allocation each year for the purchase and replacement of vehicles for each department; and, WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to allow for the quick and direct purchase of available vehicles by the City Manager when such purchases are within the adopted budget, as amended.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 3.08.200 is replaced, in its entirety, to read as follows:
“3.08.200 Award of Formal Bid Contracts.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, formal bid contracts for materials and supplies over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) shall be awarded by the city council to the lowest responsible bidder. The determination of "lowest responsible bidder" shall be at the discretion of the city council pursuant to findings and recommendations presented by the purchasing agent at the time of award of contract.
B. Notwithstanding paragraph A above, the City Manager, or his/her designee may execute purchase orders or agreements, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for the purchase of fleet vehicles when any individual vehicle purchase is for not more than $100,000.00 and the aggregate purchase of multiple vehicles does not exceed the amount allocated for such purchases in that fiscal year’s adopted budget, as amended.” SECTION 2. This ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where, as here, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question would have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of any competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance, and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall become effective on the thirty-first (31st) day after its passage and adoption, and within fifteen (15) days after its final passage and the City Clerk shall cause it to be posted and published in a newspaper of general circulation, printed, published and circulated in the City in the manner required by law and shall cause a copy of this Ordinance and its certification, to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2025.
Cindy Warren, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tiffany J. Israel, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE )§
CITY OF MURRIETA )
I, Cristal McDonald, City Clerk of the City of Murrieta, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 617-25 was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Murrieta at the regular meeting thereof, held on the 15th day of April, 2025, and was signed by the Mayor of the said City, and that the same was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
I, Cristal McDonald, City Clerk of the City of Murrieta, California further certify that Ordinance No. 617-25 was duly published according to law and the order of the City Council of said City and the same was so published in Press-Enterprise, a newspaper of general circulation on the following date(s):
Introduction Summary: April 6, 2025
Adopted Ordinance: , 2025.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this ___ day of _____________, 2025.
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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