TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize staff to advertise the Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691) for construction bids.
2. Find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 CCR 15302.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time and costs required to advertise for bids. $770,000 is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 Capital Budget, consisting of $270,000 from the General Fund and $500,000 from the Landscape Fund. The estimated total project cost is $733,000, which includes $180,000 for Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) fencing to be jointly funded by the City’s General Fund and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD), with CRPD reimbursing 50 percent of the COSCA portion.
BACKGROUND:
Much of the City's split-rail fences along parkways and sidewalks are aging and show signs of deterioration due to weathering and long-term exposure. The existing Woodcrete fences, constructed from concrete and designed to mimic wood, are installed in nine locations citywide, including Newbury Park along Lynn Road and in Thousand Oaks along Westlake Boulevard (Attachment #1). The fences serve important functions. They enhance the visual appeal of roadways and streetscapes, deter unauthorized access to adjacent open spaces by vehicles or pedestrians, and provide safety barriers in areas with steep terrain or drop-offs.
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There has not been a comprehensive replacement of these existing split-rail fences, which were first installed in the City during the 1990s. The manufacturer indicates that Woodcrete fencing has an expected service life of approximately 25 years or more under normal exposure conditions. Many of the City’s installations have therefore reached or exceeded their expected lifespan, which has led to higher maintenance demands. In addition, damage from prior vehicle impacts, including along Potrero Road, has demonstrated the need for a more durable barrier. Staff is recommending the installation of a metal beam guardrail along Lynn Road near Potrero Road, in place of the existing Woodcrete fencing, to better protect the adjacent open space and roadway users while also reducing future maintenance needs.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In the past, the City and COSCA utilized Woodcrete materials for split-rail fencing due to its durability in open space-adjacent areas. However, sourcing Woodcrete has become increasingly difficult due to limited supplier availability and escalating costs (current costs for Woodcrete fencing are nearly triple the costs for a traditional wood fence). Due to these factors and the difficulty in maintaining and replacing Woodcrete fences, the City and COSCA will utilize standard wood split- rail fencing for eight of the nine locations (approximately 8,000 feet), while the remaining location along Lynn Road near Potrero Road will utilize 448 feet of metal guardrail. The wood railing installations in the eight locations will provide similar functionality to Woodcrete at significantly lower cost.
Staff completed the project design with in-house resources. The project plans and specifications are available for review upon request to the Public Works Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (805) 449-2400.
Staff recommend that the project be advertised for bids. Once bids are received, staff will seek the award of the construction contract at a future City Council meeting.
The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Bid Opening December 2025
Award of Construction Contract January 2026
Start of Construction February 2026
Project Completion July 2026
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The estimated costs are as follows:
1. Construction Estimate (including contingency) $730,000
2. City Furnished Materials/Services $ 3,000
Total Estimated Project Cost $733,000
Note: Total Estimated Project Cost includes approximately $180,000 for COSCA fencing, with 50 percent of that amount to be reimbursed by CRPD.
Replacement or reconstruction of existing fencing involving negligible or no expansion of capacity is exempt from the CEQA analysis based on the CEQA Guidelines in Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code, and in accordance with Article 19, Section 15302, Class (2) "replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities."
Community Outreach: Staff have established a public outreach plan for the project, with particular focus on residents adjacent to the project locations, as well as the general public. Communication tools such as website updates and social media posts will be used to inform the community and receive feedback. A dedicated project webpage will be launched on the City’s website to share updated information throughout the construction phase.
This project meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9, “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Three – Nice to do and would contribute to quality of life, but not essential.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
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F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Saeed Zolfaghari, Associate Engineer
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Documents Provided Under Separate Cover:
#1 – Final Design, Plans and Specifications
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2025\110425\CI 5691Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project staff report.docx