TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:June 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the project design, plans, specifications and Addenda Nos. 1 and 2 for the construction of Radar Feedback Signs (CI 5548).
2. Award construction contract to Select Electric, Inc. (Anaheim, CA), in the amount of $296,672, plus a contingency of $25,000.
3. Approve budget appropriation transfer for FY 2025-26, in the amount of $66,200 from A/C #556-5310-631-5500 (Developer Fee Fund – Construction, MI 2518) to A/C #556-5310-631-8300 (Developer Fee Fund – Improvements Other Than Buildings, CI 5548).
4. Authorize expenditure for FY 2026-27, in the amount of $324,672 ($296,672 construction contract, $25,000 construction contingency, and $3,000 for City furnished supplies and materials) as follows: $66,102 from A/C #556-5310-631- 8300 (Developer Fee Fund, Improvements Other Than Buildings, CI 5548) and $258,570 from A/C #183-5560-631-8300 (Grants Fund, Improvements Other Than Buildings, CI 5548).
5. Delegate authority to the City Engineer to approve changes in the design, plans, specifications and working details of the project for work directives and change orders up to the project approved contingency amount.
6. Find that the Project is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 CCR 15301 (existing facilities).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) June 9, 2026
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FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $66,200 budget appropriation transfer from the Adopted FY 2025-26 Developer Fee Fund Budget for MI 2518, Thousand Oaks Boulevard Centerline Alignment, is requested to CI 5548. MI 2518 will not be pursued this fiscal year. $258,570 is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Grant Fund Budget for the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant.
The estimated total project cost is $324,672.
BACKGROUND:
On June 16, 2021, the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission (TTAC) recommended approval of the City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), which City Council then approved on August 31, 2021. The LRSP identifies strategies to improve commuter, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety. As part of the LRSP development process, staff conducted a data analysis that identified recommended safety enhancements throughout the City’s street network.
One project identified in the City’s adopted LRSP to help calm traffic is the installation of radar feedback signs. Based on citywide traffic data, the LRSP identified 17 locations (Attachment #1) across the City where the installation of radar feedback signs could potentially improve overall traffic safety. The locations identified for the proposed 17 radar feedback signs are listed below. Some locations are approximate and subject to change based on final field conditions and placement optimization:
1. Lynn Road east of Meadowcrest Street, eastbound traffic
2. Lynn Road west of Helga Court, southbound traffic
3. Lynn Road east of Greenmeadow Avenue, eastbound traffic
4. Lynn Road west of Greenmeadow Avenue, westbound traffic
5. Lynn Road south of Janss Road, northbound traffic
6. Olsen Road west of Campus Drive, westbound traffic
7. Olsen Road east of 23 Freeway, northbound traffic
8. Olsen Road at Northern City Limits, southbound traffic
9. Hillcrest Drive west of Skyline Drive, eastbound traffic
10. Hillcrest Drive west of Blue Mesa Street, westbound traffic
11. Hillcrest Drive east of Lynn Road, eastbound traffic
12. Hillcrest Drive west of Marin Street, westbound traffic
13. Thousand Oaks Boulevard west of Cord Avenue, eastbound traffic
14. Thousand Oaks Boulevard east of Lakeview Canyon Road, westbound traffic
15. Borchard Road west of Reino Road, eastbound traffic
16. Borchard Road east of Theresa Drive, westbound traffic
17. Westlake Boulevard south of Santiago Street, southbound traffic Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) June 9, 2026
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A radar feedback sign displays the driver’s speed directly below the posted speed limit to help drivers better gauge their speed. If the speed of the approaching vehicle is below or near the speed limit, the radar feedback signs will display the approaching vehicle’s speed. However, if the speed of the approaching vehicle is significantly higher than the posted speed limit, the sign will display “SLOW DOWN” or “TOO FAST.”
Similar radar feedback signs have already been installed on Olsen Road, Lynn Road, Kanan Road, Westlake Boulevard, and Hendrix Avenue over the past few years. In addition, the Thousand Oaks Police Department deploys portable versions of the radar feedback signs at locations where speed enforcement is being conducted.
Radar feedback signs have been effective in raising awareness and reducing speeds at the previously installed locations. In addition, overall public feedback on their use has been positive, with requests by the public to deploy more radar signs throughout the City.
Grant Funding
Beginning in the 2022 application cycle, public agencies were required to adopt an LRSP to be eligible to apply for HSIP grants. In September 2022, staff applied for several HSIP grants administered by Caltrans. The purpose of the statewide HSIP is to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including non-State-owned public roads, via federal aid to reduce costs to local agencies. In this grant application, funds were requested to install the 17 radar feedback signs throughout the City as recommended in the LRSP.
On March 9, 2023, Caltrans announced the project selection results. The City was initially approved for HSIP Grant [H11-07-050] funding in the amount of $258,570 to install and maintain 17 radar feedback signs throughout the City. Projects funded through Caltrans require numerous steps such as design review, additional funding clearances and approvals in order to authorize the expenditure of grant funds. The final grant funds were ultimately accepted by City Council on March 24, 2026.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
City Council authorized advertising the project for construction bids on March 24, 2026. The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Acorn newspaper on April 3, 2026, and was sent to all vendors and construction trade journals on the City’s purchasing vendor list via City’s OpenGov procurement system. Eight bids were received and publicly opened on April 29, 2026.
Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) June 9, 2026
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The bid results are as follows:
BIDDER BASE BID PRICE
1. Select Electric, Inc. (Anaheim, CA) $296,672
2. Cat Tracking, Inc (Riverside, CA) $297,075
3. Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC (Alviso, CA) $310,425
4. California Professional Engineering (La Puente, CA) $343,710
5. Xcel Engineering (Ripon, CA) $355,484
6. Jerusalem Construction Inc $377,171
7. Sterndahl Enterprises LLC (Sun Valley, CA) $450,150
8. Taft Electric Company (Ventura, CA) $458,500
The lowest bid is from Select Electric, Inc. (Anaheim, CA) in the amount of $296,672. The engineer’s estimate is $317,000. The bid package submitted by Select Electric, Inc. has been reviewed and found to be in order and the bid protest period has elapsed with no formal protests received. Staff verified and confirmed Select Electric, Inc. is the lowest responsive bidder. Staff recommend award of the construction contract to Select Electric, Inc.
The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Bid Process Completed
Award of Construction Contract June 2026
Start of Construction July 2026
Project Completion Fall 2026
The project costs are as follows:
Construction Cost (including contingency) $ 324,672
HSIP Grant Funds $ 258,570
City Developer Fee Fund 556 $ 66,102
Installation of radar feedback signs along an existing roadway does not expand current use and adds safety devices to the existing roadway. The installation of radar feedback signs 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 15301, Class (1) "existing facilities," specifically 15301(c), minor alteration to existing streets, and 15301(f), installation of safety or health protection devices in conjunction with existing facilities.
Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) June 9, 2026
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The project design, specifications, and Addenda Nos. 1 and 2 are available for review upon request to the Public Works Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (805) 449-2400.
Community Outreach: Staff brought this item to the June 25, 2025, TTAC meeting.
During this meeting, staff presented an overview of the project, including the 17 proposed locations, and examples of existing radar feedback signs around the City. TTAC provided positive comments regarding the project and the City’s efforts to help calm traffic on the primary corridors through the City. One email from the public was submitted in support of the project.
Various communication tools and strategies, including community meetings (if needed), press releases, website updates, and social media posts will continue to be utilized to inform the public and receive feedback.
This project meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9 to “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority One – Essential projects which address health and safety, legal, and regulatory requirements, as well as City Council’s Top Priorities projects.
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: Bradley Ackart, Engineering Associate
Attachment:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity Map and Radar Sign Location List Document Provided Under Separate Cover:
#1 – Final Design, Plans, and Specifications for reflective Backplates DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2026\060926\CI5548\Radar Feedback Signs Citywide staff report.docx