RESPONSE TO COUNCIL QUESTIONS RE: 11/14/23 AGENDA
Agenda Item 3.D RTC 23-1309: Action on Authorizing the Use of City Electric Forces at Various Locations
Council Question:
I’m concerned about this requirement in our charter:
Section 1310 of the Santa Clara City Charter (Contracts on Public Works) states “that every contract involving an expenditure of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the construction or improvement (excluding maintenance and repair) of public buildings, works, streets, drains, sewers, utilities, parks and playgrounds shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder.”
It seems to me that $1000 is way too low these days. It probably cost more than that to solicit and select bids and to place on a council agenda. I think this number was set a long time ago. I’m wondering if we need to put something on a future ballot to clean up our charter to make numbers more flexible so that inflation could be considered.
Staff Response:
Staff is aware and recognizes that the provision is low. Staff has considered the timing and benefits of a comprehensive Charter modernization effort, which will need voter approval. This is a large project and requires consideration of a number of different factors and cannot be completed in time for the November 2024 election.
However, this item might come up in the upcoming Council Priority Setting Session.
Agenda Item 4.A RTC 23-1088: Action on Stadium Authority Bills and Claims for the Month of August 2023
Council Question:
I see the following:
I have a question about “Stadium Event Signage”. Is this for directing traffic or for advertising that Levi’s is the sponsor of the Stadium Naming Rights Signage? What is the status of the dispute between the City and the 49ers over replace versus repair of the Levi’s signs?
Did Wilson Ihrig remove one of the noise monitoring sites to save money per direction recently by the City Council? Is that savings reflected here?
Staff Response:
The expenditures for signage are not related to directing traffic or the Levi’s sign. They are for wayfinding signage within the bowl and are part of this CapEx project:
2 The City Council’s action on February 21, 2023 on the new agreement with Wilson Irhig for noise monitoring services included reducing the number of fixed noise monitors from four to two. Consistent with that direction, the two of the monitors further from the Stadium were removed in March 2023 and the two monitors closest to the Stadium, which are located on Cheeny Street and on Calle de Escuela, were retained. Beginning in April 2023, the City has only been charged for the rental costs of the two monitors which have been retained.
The question regarding the status of the Levi’s’ sign replacement has been forwarded to the City Manager and staff.