3 0
8 2
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: December 17, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Progressive Design Build Contract with Tilden-Coil Constructors for the
California Theater Improvements Project in the amount of $125,000 (Ward 1)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Find Amendment No. 2 to the Progressive Design-Build Contract with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $125,000 for the California Theater Improvements (Project) exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities)
2. Adopt Resolution 2025-405 Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to amend the FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan budget with an additional $125,000 from the Cultural Development Construction Fund for the project; and
3. Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Progressive Design-Build Contract with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $125,000 for the California Theater Improvements (Project); and
4. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents with Tilden-Coil Constructors.
City Manager's Comments
No Recommendation
3 0
8 2
Executive Summary
Adopting the resolution will provide the additional funding needed to cover the remaining construction expenses for the current phase of improvements at the California Theater of the Performing Arts. During construction, change orders were approved for additional items such as the purchase of a new sound board, safety enhancements, and additional lighting. A portion of the funding will also be used to address some additional work as needed, such as the purchase of a new stage lighting motor.
Background
The Public Works Department, Fleet and Building Maintenance Division, is responsible for maintaining the California Theatre of the Performing Arts (the “California Theatre”), located at 562 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, California. The California Theatre opened in 1928, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. It is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, or California Churrigueresque.
The California Theatre houses one of the only remaining Wurlitzer Style 216 pipe organs, which is original to the building.
The California Theatre has historically been a critical economic and social element for downtown San Bernardino, as well as the overall San Bernardino community. To facilitate further growth of the economy of downtown San Bernardino and the business community there, the City explored various opportunities to secure the necessary funding to renovate the California Theatre.
On April 6, 2022, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-074, awarding a Progressive Design Build contract with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in an amount of $309,031. The contract was used to start conducting the necessary studies to produce a list of required improvements within a reasonable budget. The resolution also accepted the California Arts Council Grant in the amount of $2,500,000 and amended the FY2021/22 CIP to include the California Theatre Improvements project (the “Project”) (item 31) (Ward 1).
On July 20, 2022, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-136, approving acceptance of grants funds from the California Arts Council for the California Theatre (item 13) (Ward 1).
On December 7, 2022, the Mayor and City Council approved an award to Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $4,561,400 for the renovation of the California Theater.
On June 26, 2024 the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No 2024-142 approving the operational budget and Capital Improvement Program and appropriating an additional $1,000,000 from the Measure S fund for these additional improvements.
On June 4, 2025 the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution 2025-305 approving Amendment No. 1 to the Progressive Design-Build Contract with Tilden-Coil 3 0
8 2
Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $1,747,404 for the California Theater Improvements, authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to amend the FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan budget with an additional $960,255 from the Cultural Development Fund for the Project, and authorizing the City Manager or their designee to expend the contingency fund in the amount of $212,851, if necessary, to complete the Project.
Discussion
The California Theater Improvements Project aims to restore and modernize the historic theater. Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. was awarded a contract to have the following improvements designed and constructed at the California Theatre:
Organ Restoration
Hazardous Material Abatement limited to work areas
Mold removal
Street Front Facade
Lighting and Controls in Lobby
Front entry, Restroom and Audience Chamber ADA compliance Architectural Finishes, including painting inside, outside and carpeting replacement
Theatrical Sound System
HVAC replacement of six package units, plus one package unit added
After a successful reopening of the California theater, City staff is coordinating with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. to complete the few remaining construction items for this phase of construction. To close out the Project, an additional $125,000 is estimated to be needed. This amount will be used to cover the cost of change orders for work that was completed in preparation for the California Theatre’s reopening, held on October 14, 2025, and for pending work that is anticipated to be completed near the end of 2025.
The additional change order work included several additional improvements, including, but not limited to:
Drinking Fountains
Additional Lighting
Additional Signage
LED Lobby Monitors
Fire Safety Improvements
Additional Electrical work
Additional Painting
New Sound Board
Roof Leak Repair
Design-Build Costs
Original Award $4,870,431
Amendment No. 1 $1,747,404
3 0
8 2
Authorized Tilden-Coil Change Orders (Owner Contingency) $210,992 Plan Set Printing (Owner Contingency) $1,858.59
Total Existing Cost $6,830,685.59
Revised Design Build Costs
Total Existing Cost $6,830,685.59
Amendment No. 2 $125,000
Total Revised Cost $6,955,685.59
Due to both the previously authorized change orders ($210,992) and proposed Amendment No. 2 ($125,000), the total contract amount would be increased by $335,992.
During the ongoing phase of construction, improvements which require additional design and permitting were identified. City staff plans to bring an agenda item in January 2026 to recommend approval of an additional scope and fee for Tilden-Coil to provide design services for the next construction phase of the Project. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This Project is consistent with Key Strategic Target and Goal No. 1f: Improved Operational & Financial Capacity – Create an asset management plan. Approval of the proposed Amendment No. 2 will support economic growth by ensuring that essential renovations are carried out at the City-owned California Theater, a landmark with significant cultural and historical value. The improvements will not only preserve this important asset, but will also contribute to the City’s broader efforts to manage and maintain its facilities in a way that supports future growth and financial sustainability.
Environmental Impact
The proposed project is exempt from the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves minor rehabilitations to the historic building, such as roof leak repair, lighting, and fire safety. Additionally, the City Council finds this Resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty, as in this case, that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
The application of the Class 1 categorical exemption is not barred by one of the exceptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 because a historic building renovation does not present any unusual circumstances; would not damage scenic resources, including any resources in the area of a Scenic Highway; would not be utilized on a hazardous waste site; and would not impact historic resources of any kind.
Fiscal Impact
3 0
8 2
There is no impact to the General fund. Funding will be provided from the Cultural Development Construction Fund.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Adopt Resolution 2025-405 Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to amend the FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan budget with an additional $125,000 from the Cultural Development Construction Fund for the project; and
2. Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Progressive Design-Build Contract with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $125,000 for the California Theater Improvements (the “Project”); and
3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution No. 2025-405
Attachment 2 Amendment No. 2 with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc.
Attachment 3 Amendment No. 1 with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc.
Attachment 4 Progressive Design-Build Contract (Original Agreement) Attachment 5 Location Map
Ward:
First Ward
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 4, 2025 Adopted Resolution 2025-305 1. Approving Amendment No. 1 to Progressive Design Build Contract with Tilden-Coil
Constructors, Inc. for the California Theater Improvements Project increasing the total amount by $1,747,404 (Ward 1) 2.
Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to amend the FY 2025/26 Capital Improvement Plan budget with an additional $960,255 from the Cultural Development Fund for the project.
June 26, 2024 Adopted Resolution No 2024-142 approving the operation budget and Capital improvements plans and appropriating the funds in the amount of $1.0 million from Measure S for the Project (item 1) (Ward 1)
December 7, 2022 Adopted Resolution No. 2022-261 approving an award of $4,561,400 to Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. for the renovation 3 0
8 2
of the California Theatre Improvement Project Item 35 (Ward 1)
April 6, 2022 Adopted Resolution No. 2022-074 awarding a Progressive Design Build agreement with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. in an amount of $309,031 to start conducting the necessary studies to produce a list of required improvements within a reasonable budget and accepting the California Arts Council Grant in the amount of $2,500,000 and amending the
FY2021/22 CIP to include the California Theatre
Improvements Project. (item 31) (Ward 1)
July 20, 2022 Adopted Resolution No. 2022-136 approving acceptance of Grants Funds from the California Arts Council for the California Theatre (item 13) (Ward 1)
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager