TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:February 24, 2026
SUBJECT: Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the project design, plans, specifications, and Addendum No. 1 for the construction of the Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691).
2. Award construction contract to J & A Engineering Corp. (Azusa, CA), in the amount of $570,434, plus a contingency of $57,000.
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $478,300 ($432,300 construction contract; $43,000 contingency; and $3,000 for City furnished materials and supplies) in FY 2025-26 from A/C #142-5630-632-8300 (Landscape Fund, Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project - CI 5691), and $152,134 ($138,134 construction contract and $14,000 contingency) in FY 2025-26 from A/C #001- 4410-679-8300 (General Fund, Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project - CI 5691).
4. Delegate authority to the City Engineer to approve changes to the design, plans, specifications, and working details of the project on work directives and change orders up to the project approved contingency amount.
5. Find that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant 14 C.C.R. Section 15302.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $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 $630,434, which includes $180,000 for Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) fencing. This amount will be jointly funded by the City’s General Fund and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD), with CRPD reimbursing 50 percent ($90,000) of the COSCA cost.
Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691)
February 24, 2026
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BACKGROUND:
The City has identified nine locations throughout Thousand Oaks where existing split-rail fencing, originally installed in the 1990s, has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement (Attachment #1). These locations are primarily adjacent to open space areas and along roadway corridors.
There has not been a comprehensive replacement of the split-rail fencing since its initial installation in the 1990s. The manufacturer indicates that Woodcrete fencing has an expected service life of approximately 25 years under normal exposure conditions. Many installations have now reached or exceeded that lifespan, resulting in increased maintenance demands. In addition, damage from prior vehicle impacts, including along Potrero Road, has demonstrated the need for a more durable roadside barrier. Staff recommends installation of a metal beam guardrail along Lynn Road near Potrero Road, in place of the existing Woodcrete fencing, to provide a more durable roadside treatment while reducing future maintenance needs.
Historically, the City and COSCA utilized Woodcrete materials for split-rail fencing due to 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, while the remaining location along Lynn Road near Potrero Road will utilize metal guardrail. The wood railing installations in the eight locations will provide similar functionality to Woodcrete at significantly lower cost.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
On November 4, 2025, City Council authorized staff to advertise the Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691) for bid. The Notice Inviting Bids was advertised per the City’s purchasing guidelines on December 12, 2025. Eleven bids were received and publicly opened on January 28, 2026. The bid results are as follows:
Bidder Bid
J & A Engineering Corp. (Azusa, CA) $ 570,434.00
Red Hawk Services, Inc. (Perris, CA) $ 699,291.54
FS Contractors, Inc. (Duarte, CA) $ 711,000.00
C&W Construction Specialties, Inc (Ventura, CA) $ 727,844.15 MD Construction Co. (Santa Maria, CA) $ 752,373.50
Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691)
February 24, 2026
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Bidder Bid
Kormex Construction, Inc. (Ontario CA) $ 849,692.00
Dash Construction, Inc. (Woodland Hills, CA) $ 862,835.00 Ardalan Construction Company (Thousand Oaks, CA) $ 934,033.00 Izurieta Fence Company, (Los Angeles, CA) $1,469,883.00 Blackpointe Group Construction & Management Inc
(Moorpark, CA)
Not responsive
Valor Construction, Inc. (Newbury Park, CA) Not responsive The low bid from J & A Engineering Corp. in the amount of $570,434 is lower than the engineer’s estimate of $680,000. The bid package submitted by J & A Engineering Corp. has been reviewed and found to be in order, and the bid protest period has elapsed with no formal protest received. Staff recommends award of the construction contract to J & A Engineering Corp.
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.
The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Award of Construction Contract February 2026
Start of Construction April 2026
Project Completion August 2026
The estimated project costs are as follows:
Construction Contract (this action) $ 570,434
Construction Contingency (this action) $ 57,000
City Furnished Material and Supplies (this action) $ 3,000 Total $ 630,434
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA per section 15302 (replacement/reconstruction of existing facilities). Replacement or reconstruction of existing fences and/or related facilities involving negligible, or no expansion of capacity is exempt from the CEQA analysis based on State CEQA Guidelines Section requirements under Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code, in accordance with Article 19, Section 15302, Class (2) "replacement or reconstruction."
Community Outreach: Staff has established a public outreach plan for the project, with particular focus on the residents located adjacent to the project as well as the general public. Various communications tools and strategies, including community meetings (if needed), website updates, and social media posts will continue to be utilized to inform the public and receive feedback.
Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project (CI 5691)
February 24, 2026
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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 2024-25 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.
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, Senior Engineer
Attachment:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2026\022426\CI 5691\Woodcrete Fence Replacement Project staff report.docx