Carson council approves $2.8 million property purchase, traffic‑signal contract and Phillips 66 MOU; declines to finalize Dial‑A‑Ride provider

Carson — The Carson City Council on Sept. 30 approved a purchase and sale agreement for a city property at 24205 Avalon Boulevard and voted to award a federally funded traffic‑signal contract, while approving a memorandum of understanding related to potential redevelopment of the Phillips 66 refinery site. Council members did not finalize a new contract for the city’s Dial‑A‑Ride program and directed staff to return with additional information for further consideration.

The council’s most immediate action came as part of its closed‑session report: the city approved a purchase and sale agreement for the parcel known as 24205 Avalon Boulevard (APN 7406‑017‑035) for $2,800,000. Assistant City Attorney reported the action after closed session and said a copy of the agreement would be available from the city clerk’s office upon request. The decision was taken in closed session under Government Code section 54956.8 for real property negotiations.

Why it matters: the acquisition gives the city control of a strategically located property along Avalon Boulevard that staff said will be used as part of ongoing city planning and negotiations. Details on the intended use were not provided in the closed‑session report; the city clerk has the purchase and sale agreement for public review.

Council also approved a construction contract for federally funded traffic‑signal upgrades at four intersections. City engineering staff recommended awarding the contract to Alfero Communications Construction, Inc., as the lowest responsive bidder at $2,804,525.22. The project is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) under federal aid number HSIP54030301 and includes replacement of poles and signal heads, upgraded controller cabinets, video detection, enhanced pedestrian features, ADA curb ramp upgrades and improved striping. Construction start was described as dependent on material delivery, with pole procurement estimated at about six months and completion anticipated in 2026.

In another agenda item the council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Phillips 66 related to procedural terms for any potential future redevelopment of the refinery site at 1520 E. Sepulveda Boulevard following cessation of refinery operations. Staff said the version approved at the meeting included minor clarifying changes — including explicit language about the potential applicant (Phillips 66 or an entitlement manager acting on its behalf) — and that the city manager would execute the MOU following final city‑attorney review. Members of the public and community groups had voiced support for a task force and community benefits provisions in the draft MOU during public comment.

Dial‑A‑Ride procurement debate: The council heard more than an hour of public testimony and staff presentations about the city’s Door‑to‑Door demand‑responsive transportation program for seniors and people with disabilities. The city had solicited proposals and received two proposals: Administrative Services Cooperative (the Yellow Cab/United Checker cooperative) and Uber Technologies, Inc. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Uber based on the evaluation criteria in the RFP and cited lower projected per‑trip costs and shorter average estimated arrival times under Uber’s technology‑enabled model. Uber representatives described a call‑center option and said wheelchair‑accessible vehicles could be arranged through partners.

Opponents at the meeting — including representatives from Administrative Services Cooperative and long‑time local operators — urged the council to keep the incumbent, citing live‑scan fingerprinting for drivers, camera‑equipped vehicles, long local experience with wheelchair service, and relationships with senior riders. Multiple public commenters told the council they rely on the current providers for medical appointments and dialysis and described missed or late pickups as a serious problem.

After debate, a substitute motion to award the contract to Administrative Services Cooperative failed on a 2‑2 vote (with one recusal). A subsequent vote on the staff recommendation did not produce approval on Sept. 30. The council asked staff to return with additional information and clarified data so the issue can be reconsidered at a subsequent meeting. Meanwhile, staff confirmed the existing Yellow Cab extension remains in place through Dec. 31, 2025, so service continuity is not expected to lapse during the review.

Other items and next steps: The council also unanimously appointed Sean Webb, president of Flight West Aerospace, to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board for a term through June 30, 2027. Several proclamations and community presentations were held on the agenda, including recognition of Filipino American History Month and National Drive Electric Month. City staff also presented an electric vehicle charging “wallet” pilot program (see separate coverage) funded by a Clean Power Alliance award to reimburse eligible Carson residents for public EV charging up to a stated per household maximum.

The city clerk’s office holds copies of the purchase and sale agreement for 24205 Avalon Boulevard and the updated MOU with Phillips 66 for public inspection. Staff will return to the council with additional materials on the Dial‑A‑Ride procurement and with follow‑up reports on the traffic‑signal procurement schedule and material delivery timelines.

Votes at a glance • Purchase and sale agreement, 24205 Avalon Blvd. (closed session): approved; reportable action; purchase price $2,800,000; copy available from city clerk. • Memorandum of Understanding with Phillips 66 (item 19): approved; minor language edits walked on at the meeting; staff authorized to finalize the MOU after city‑attorney review. • Project 1649 — Traffic Signal Upgrades at four intersections (federal HSIP funding): contract awarded to Alfero Communications Construction, Inc., $2,804,525.22; construction start contingent on material delivery; completion anticipated in 2026. • Appointment: Sean Webb to South Bay Workforce Investment Board (term to 06/30/2027): approved. • Dial‑A‑Ride (item 23): no contract award finalized on Sept. 30; council asked staff to return with additional information and analysis for reconsideration.

What to watch: staff return to the council on the Dial‑A‑Ride procurement, and the city clerk’s office release of the signed purchase and sale agreement for the Avalon Boulevard property.