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Bellflower approves $125,000 holiday-decor contract; new decorations to be city-owned
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to sign a contract with Pacific Decorating Company and approved a budget amendment to buy new downtown holiday decorations; year‑one cost $125,000, year‑two $87,000, and new decor will be city property.
Bellflower City Council on Oct. 13, 2025, authorized the city manager to execute Agreement File No. 732.2 with Pacific Decorating Company for downtown holiday decorations, installation, maintenance and removal, and approved the staff-recommended budget amendment. Council voted 4-0 to approve the contract.
City staff told the council the selected proposal is based on the “level 2” alternative from the RFP process. PJ (city staff) said the annual cost will be $125,000 in year one and $87,000 in year two and asked the council to approve a one-time $50,000 budget increase for year one; staff also identified a $12,000 increase in year two to reach the total. PJ described the vendor’s model as one in which newly purchased decor will be city-owned rather than leased, and that the initial equipment investment shifts future costs primarily to labor during later years.
Staff said seven proposals were received in response to the city’s RFP. The RFP included a base bid tier ($50,000) and alternative tiers at $100,000 (level 2) and $150,000 (level 3); the city’s selection committee recommended the Pacific Decorating Company Level 2 plan as the best balance of enhanced design and fiscal prudence.
Details discussed in the presentation include: 5,000 new LED C7 lights and 4,500 mini lights for the Friendship Square tree with animated starburst elements and a reinforced tree topper; garland and bows for downtown light poles (60 poles to be wrapped), roofline lighting for the main event center and the PE depot, enhancements to the main parking structure and illumination of palm trees and a new coastal-themed wreath and garland at City Hall. Staff said all new equipment purchased under the agreement becomes city property and that the vendor will provide installation, maintenance and removal and deliver the equipment to city storage containers after the season.
Council members asked about expected useful life for different decorative elements; staff estimated LED lights can last five to seven years, garland about two years, and banners about three years. Council Member Dan Coops asked about maintenance and storage; staff said the vendor is responsible for maintenance and that decorations are stored on city property in containers. Vendor representatives Chris Johnson and Tara Johnson were present and confirmed they can accelerate the installation schedule if product availability allows; staff indicated installation typically begins in mid-November to be ready for the tree-lighting event.
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny Santayanez moved to authorize the city manager to execute Agreement File No. 732.2 and the associated budget amendment; Council Member Dan Coops seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Ayes from Council Member Victor Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem Sonny Santayanez, Council Member Dan Coops and Mayor Dutton. The contract includes optional later-year renewals and budget impacts beyond the two-year amounts will be addressed in future budget cycles.
Staff recommended the council approve the agreement and the associated operating-budget amendment as outlined in the staff report. The record shows no amendments to the council motion and no public speakers on this item during the council hearing.
