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2 CITY OF SAN MATEO
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (2025)
APPROVING AN ALTERNATIVE PURCHASING PROCEDURE TO APPROVE A PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH
MERIDIAN RAPID DEFENSE GROUP, LLC FOR MOBILE PUBLIC SAFETY BARRIERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED MATERIALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $187,541.87
WHEREAS, the B Street Pedestrian Mall located on B Street between 1st Avenue and 3rd Avenue (the “Pedestrian Mall”) is a pedestrian-oriented environment; and WHERAS, the existing planter boxes at each intersection are not crash rated and can be easily moved for unauthorized access to the Pedestrian Mall; and
WHEREAS, to prevent head-on, high-speed vehicles from illegally entering the Pedestrian Mall, staff recommends the purchase of sixteen (16) Meridian Archer 1200 Mobile Barriers (Meridian Barriers) and their associated materials to be placed at the intersections of 1st Avenue/B Street and 3rd Avenue/B Street; and WHEREAS, Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC has proprietary rights for Meridian Barriers, and no other vendor sells the Meridian Barriers; and
WHEREAS, the Meridian Barriers are the only product that are vehicle crash rated at 30 miles per hour and unanchored, which allows them to be removed and repositioned quickly in the event of an emergency; and WHERAS, San Mateo Municipal Code Section 3.60.030 generally requires competitive bidding for contracts of $100,000 or more; and
WHEREAS, San Mateo Municipal Code Section 3.60.070(h)(3) authorizes the City Council to approve an alternative purchasing procedure when it is in the best interest of the City; and WHERAS, based on these circumstances, staff recommends approval of a purchase contract with Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC in the amount of $187,541.87 because it is in the best interest of the City for the reasons set forth in this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES that:
1. The purchase and installation of sixteen (16) Meridian Barriers and their associated materials is not a project subject to CEQA, because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
2. In accordance with Municipal Code 3.60.070(h)(3), the purchase of sixteen (16) Meridian Barriers and their associated materials from Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC is in the City’s best interest for these reasons:
a. Improved barriers are needed to alleviate pedestrian safety concerns at the Pedestrian Mall as soon as possible; and
b. The installed barriers need to prioritize safety, straight-forward installation, mobility, minimal maintenance and flexibility; and
c. Several local agencies in the Bay Area currently utilize Meridian Barriers and are a proven solution locally; and
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2 d. Meridian Barriers are the only product on the market that are crash rated at 30 mph unanchored, which allows them to be removed and repositioned quickly in the event of that emergency personnel need to access the Pedestrian Mall; and e. Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC is the only manufacturer of the Meridian Barriers.
3. The purchase of sixteen (16) Meridian Barriers and their associated materials from Meridan Rapid Defense Group, LLC in an amount not to exceed $187,541.87 is approved.
4. A contingency amount of $20,000 is approved.
5. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute the purchase contract in substantially the form presented and issue change orders as allowed by the contract documents and within the contingency reserve.