Council approves city contracts, grants and code updates; key votes at a glance

The Los Banos City Council on Oct. 15 approved a series of resolutions, contracts and an ordinance covering grants, construction contracts, program participation and staffing.

Among the actions, the council: approved the consent agenda (warrants and routine minutes and five resolutions), adopted resolutions to allow the city to participate in a statewide development financing program, awarded a progressive design–build contract for a civic center renovation, authorized a construction contract for a basin and stormwater capture project, ratified an employment agreement for a new public works director, and adopted an ordinance updating the city's public-construction bidding thresholds to reflect state law changes.

The consent agenda (approved by motion and voice vote) included warrant numbers 253959 through 254151 totaling $1,160,953.71; minutes for Sept. 3 and Sept. 17, 2025; Resolution No. 6,997 authorizing the interim city manager to execute a grant agreement with the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority and amending the fiscal year budget with $100,000 for the HG Faucet Canal Trail overlay project; Resolution No. 6,998 accepting a $50,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and amending the FY2025–26 budget; Resolution No. 6,999 approving Parcel Map No. 2024-01 and related dedications; Resolution No. 7,000 awarding a construction contract for the pavement of the F Street Corporation Yard parking lot (Calcoding Asphalt Inc., $167,488); and Resolution No. 7,001 accepting a $150,000 electric mobility grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and amending the FY2025–26 budget.

Separately, following a public hearing, the council adopted Resolution No. 7,002 (joining the California Municipal Finance Authority’s Bond Opportunities for Land Development, or “BOLD,” program) and Resolution No. 7,003 (related joining actions) by recorded voice vote. The BOLD program allows developers to use community facilities district financing that is issued by CMFA on behalf of participating developments; participation is voluntary and does not obligate the city to fund projects.

On a separate motion the council approved Resolution No. 7,004, authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Swinerton Builders and The Taylor Group Architects for progressive design–build services on the Las Palmas Civic Center project, in an amount not to exceed $7,800,000. Staff said the project will renovate the former police annex across from City Hall into a development services center, upgrade City Hall interiors, and support reuse options for the old police station property. The contract award followed staff’s two-stage qualifications and interview process and was approved by motion and voice vote.

The council then approved Resolution No. 7,005, awarding the construction contract for the Basin and Stormwater Capture Project to Archer Civil Construction LLC in the amount of $2,199,376.75 and authorized the interim city manager to execute the agreement and issue the notice of award. Staff said the project budget is approximately $2.75 million and includes a 15% contingency and that $1.0 million of the project will be reimbursed through a Proposition 68 grant administered with partner agencies.

The council ratified the employment agreement for the public works director, William Bly, by adopting Resolution No. 7,006. The agreement sets Bly’s start date as Oct. 27, 2025, a base salary of $224,000 per year and standard management benefits as described in the staff report.

Finally, the council waived a second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 12-10, amending Chapter 16 of Title 3 of the Los Banos Municipal Code to update contracting thresholds and procedures to align with AB 2192 and the revised Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act.

All motions passed by the majority of those present; where roll-call votes were required the council recorded yes votes for Perez, Sanders, Chavez, Lewis and Amabile (Mayor).