TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:May 12, 2026
SUBJECT: Street Lighting on Avenida De Los Arboles (CI 5725) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize staff to advertise the Street Lighting on Avenida De Los Arboles Project (CI 5725) for construction bids.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time and costs required to advertise for bids. $250,000 in carryover funding is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 Lighting Fund Budget. The estimated total project cost is $650,000. At the time of construction award, additional budget will be requested or project will be phased, depending on the actual bids received.
BACKGROUND:
The Street Lighting on Avenida De Los Arboles Project (CI 5725) will install 17 additional streetlights along Avenida De Los Arboles from Calle Tulipan to Calle Abedul, a segment of approximately one mile (Attachment #1). The project area functions as a primarily arterial roadway with parking and bike lanes, and it currently has limited nighttime lighting, with only five existing streetlights concentrated near the North Oaks Plaza commercial complex.
The project adds 17 streetlights to improve nighttime visibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and nearby residents, with lighting focused at key intersections within the project limits. The nine different intersections are Avenida
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De Los Arboles with Calle Tulipan, Calle Abeto, Calle Bouganvilla, Calle Olivo (east), Calle Gomero, Calle Olivo (west), Calle Manzano, and Calle Abedul (Attachment #2).
The project also includes an option to install 72 feet of traffic signal conduit across Avenida De Los Arboles at the Avenida De Las Plantas intersection to support a future traffic signal project (CI 5597). Bid pricing will determine whether this work is done in advance or will be included as part of CI 5597 in the future.
In addition, the project includes an option for pavement rehabilitation for a small portion of Calle Abedul from Calle Naranjo to Avenida De Los Arboles, about 250 feet in length. Calle Abedul will be repaved this summer under CI 5809 as part of the City’s 2026 pavement project. Since that paving work is going to be completed in advance of this street light project, the paving project will terminate at Calle Naranjo so the final portion of Calle Abedul between Calle Naranjo and Avenida De Los Arboles can be completed by this streetlight project. That will prevent the City from trenching into a newly paved street.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The design and engineering of the project have been completed by City engineering staff in collaboration with Southern California Edison (SCE). The project plans and specifications are complete and available for review upon request to the Public Works Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (805) 449-2400.
PROJECT PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
Bid Phase May - July 2026
Award Construction Contract August 2026
Start of Construction Fall 2026
Completion of Project Summer 2027
PROJECT ESTIMATED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION COST
1. SCE design and installation of streetlights $ 75,000
2. Construction Estimate (including contingency) $545,000
3. Pavement Rehab on Calle Abedul $ 30,000
Total Estimated Project Cost $650,000
The total project cost (including contingencies) for the street lighting and additional options is estimated at $650,000. The final design of the project includes all Street Lighting on Avenida De Los Arboles (CI 5725)
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underground installation of wiring and conduits, in order to avoid overhead wires between the street lights as originally proposed by SCE. As a result, the total project cost estimate for the project increased from $250,000 to $650,000. At the time of construction award, additional budget may be requested, partial budget transfer may be required from existing projects, or the project may be phased, depending on the actual bids received.
Staff recommends that the project be advertised for bid. Once bids are received, Staff will make a recommendation at a future City Council meeting for City Council to award the construction contract.
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 communication tools and strategies, including community meetings as needed, press releases, website updates, and social media posts will continue to be utilized to inform the public. A dedicated project website has been created, https://toaks.gov/arboles-lights where updated project information will continue to be provided throughout the construction phase of the project.
This project meets Citys Council’s Top Ten Priorities #7, “Public Safety, Community-Based Emergency Preparedness, and Wildfire Mitigation” and #9, “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Two – Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
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.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
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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: Norasaze Nana, Engineering Associate
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Attachment #2 – Proposed Street Light Location Maps
DPW: 850-20\ev\H:\Council\2026\051226\CI 5725\Street Lighting on Avenida De Los Arboles staff report.docx