Atherton council waives first reading, adopts resolution to opt into California public-construction accounting act

The Town of Atherton City Council on May 20 introduced and waived the first reading of an ordinance amending sections of the Atherton Municipal Code related to purchasing and unanimously adopted a resolution to opt into the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA).

City Attorney Mona Ibrahim and Public Works Director Robert Rivati explained the change: recent state amendments to the public contract code permit local agencies that adopt the CUPCCAA to enter certain public-works contracts within specified limits without a formal sealed-bid process, provided the agency complies with the act’s accounting and informal bidding procedures. Ibrahim told the council the municipal-code updates align local rules with state law and that the accompanying resolution formally notifies the state that Atherton is opting in.

Why it matters: Opting into CUPCCAA gives small jurisdictions more flexibility and speed on certain public-works procurements while requiring strict accounting practices. Staff said the change does not increase the town’s spending; it is intended to improve timing and make it easier to find contractors when competitive responses are limited.

Council action: The council moved, waived the first reading and adopted the resolution; the votes were unanimous. Staff will return for the second reading and the formal municipal-code amendment and said auditors and accounting controls will be used to comply with the act’s requirements.

Next steps: Staff will bring the ordinance back for formal adoption at the second reading and will submit the town’s opting-in documentation to the state as required by the act.