Agenda Item Wording:
title
Award contract and appropriation of funds - Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to Power Design Electric, for traffic signal improvements at the intersection of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd., in the amount of $610,660 and authorize an additional appropriation of Measure R Local funds in the amount of $30,000.
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Deadline for Action: 10/19/2026
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Rudy Lopez, Associate Engineer, Rudy.Lopez@visalia.gov, 713-4270
Rebecca Keenan, Senior Civil Engineer, Rebecca.Keenan@visalia.gov, 713-4541
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.Crawford@visalia.gov, 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering and Building Department Director, Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.gov, 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Power Design Electric, Inc. for traffic signal improvements at the intersection of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd., in the amount of $610,660; and
2. Authorize an appropriation of additional Measure R Local (131) funds in the amount of $30,000.
Summary:
The intersection of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd. meets the nationally accepted standards for the installation of a traffic signal due to the traffic volumes and the traffic delay at this intersection. The intersection is currently a four way stop and this project will install traffic signal equipment, reconstruct the pedestrian access ramps to comply with the current Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), and restripe all four legs of the intersection, including crosswalks and bike lanes.
Background Discussion:
This project will signalize the intersection of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd. and replace the existing all-way stop controls. Other improvements at the intersection will include reconstructing the pedestrian access ramps to comply with the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and restriping all four legs of the intersection, including crosswalks and bike lanes. The permanent traffic signal will be responsive to traffic volumes, with signal timing automatically adjusted based on detected traffic volumes and the parameters programmed into the traffic signal equipment.
In addition, on June 01, 2026 City Council authorized the City Manager to purchase the traffic signal equipment having long lead times in order to have the equipment on hand for this construction contract. The traffic signal poles were ordered from JAM Services Inc, on July 30, 2026 and are expected to be delivered to the City of Visalia by end of February 2027. Due to long lead time on traffic signal pole and equipment, the contractor will be given a preliminary notice to proceed for the project in order to acquire all necessary products and equipment.
Following the preliminary notice, the City will work with the contractor to agree on a project schedule so the project will move forward without delay and seamlessly with the delivery of necessary equipment. It is anticipated that the construction will start in February 2027 and proceed with minimal interruptions to the workflow and an estimated completion in July of 2027. The construction of the intersection improvements at W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd., has a construction schedule of 90 working days.
The original project estimate was established in the spring of 2022, the following years 2023, 2024 & most of 2025 saw an atypical inflationary market which contributed to construction cost increases significantly beyond what the original estimate had anticipated. This was the primary reason for the original construction estimate being lower than the final construction cost.
Bidding Process:
Staff advertised 25-26-52 for the “Traffic Signal Improvements at W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd.”, on August 3, 2026, with a bid close date on September 10, 2026. Three construction bid proposals were received as shown in the table below.
|
|
Contractor |
Location |
Bid Amount |
|
1 |
Power Design Electric, Inc. |
Kingsburg, CA |
$610,660 |
|
2 |
American Paving Co. |
Fresno, CA |
$720,600 |
|
3 |
A-C Electric Company |
Fresno, CA |
$775,000 |
City staff reviewed all three (3) bids submitted and determined that Power Design Electric, Inc.’s bid proposal was the lowest responsive bid. Additionally, the references provided by Power Design Electric, Inc. were verified by City staff, with all references providing favorable responses.
As a result, Staff recommends that the construction contract be award to Power Design Electric, Inc.
Fiscal Impact:
The Traffic Signal Improvements at W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd. are funded using the Measure R Local (131) and Transportation (281). See below the project funding breakdown.
|
W. Ferguson Ave. & N. Mooney Blvd. Signalization (CP0520) |
|
|
Project Funding Source |
|
|
Transportation (281) - Local Transportation Funds |
$550,000 |
|
Measure R Local Funds (131) |
$589,100 |
|
Total Project Funding |
$1,139,100 |
|
|
|
|
Estimated Project Costs |
|
|
Consultant Design Services |
$109,847 |
|
Project Management & Design Services (Environmental, Topo/Survey/Drafting) |
$80,000 |
|
Poles Package |
$190,960 |
|
Construction |
$610,660 |
|
Construction Contingency (10%) |
$61,066 |
|
Construction Management (Estimate) |
$50,000 |
|
Construction Services (Materials Testing, Inspection (Est), Survey) |
$65,000 |
|
Total Estimated Project Costs |
$1,167,533 |
|
|
|
|
Surplus (Deficit) |
($28,433) |
|
|
|
|
Total Appropriation of Funds |
$30,000 |
|
Measure R Local |
$30,000 |
|
|
|
Due to the above-identified budget deficit, staff recommends an additional appropriation of $30,000 from Measure R Local (131) funding for the completion of this project.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Ongoing maintenance costs are those typical costs associated with traffic signal maintenance and are budgeted through annual capital improvement projects within the Gas Tax Fund (111).
Prior Council Action:
June 6, 2026 Consent Calendar Item No. 3, City Council awarded the purchasing of the traffic signal pole equipment in the amount of $190,960.00 for the intersections of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd.
Other: None
Alternatives: None
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
I move to authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Power Design Electric for the traffic signal improvements at the intersection of W. Ferguson Ave. and N. Mooney Blvd., in the amount of $610,660 and authorize an additional appropriation of $30,000 in Measure R Local Funds.
Environmental Assessment Status: Complete
CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption No. 2025-16
Attachments:
1. Power Design Electric, Inc. Ownership Disclosure Form
2. Project Location Map
3. Sample Contract
Strategic Goal:
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☐  Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐  Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |