Sonoma council awards West Main/Spain Street rehab contract, approves $404,000 budget amendment

The Sonoma City Council unanimously approved a contract Sept. 17 to rehabilitate segments of West Main/Spain Street, authorizing a $447,141.10 construction contract with a 15% contingency and approving a $404,000 budget amendment to close a funding gap.

The project covers Spain Street from the plaza to Highway 12 in three segments: pavement repairs between First and Second streets; a grind-and-overlay between Second and Third streets; and localized repairs between Seventh Street and Highway 12. Project work includes pavement repair or overlay where needed, updated centerline and edge line striping, sharrows (bike routing marks), bike‑route signs and other traffic‑calming elements drawn from the city’s Active Transportation Plan.

Bids opened Sept. 9 and ranged from roughly $447,000 to $951,000; the lowest apparent bidder was identified as Team Giladi Inc. at $447,141.10. Staff’s project budget totals $529,000 after contingency and testing allowances; council had previously authorized $150,000 for the project of which $25,000 was spent on design, leaving a $404,000 shortfall. The council approved an amendment allocating $200,000 from Measure M, $104,000 from SB1 funds, and $100,000 from gas tax to cover the deficit.

Public‑works staff said the contract term is approximately 30 working days (about 45 calendar days) and that construction timing will be weather dependent. The project includes materials testing and geotechnical oversight; staff said on‑site inspections and compaction testing will be performed and that a one‑year maintenance bond will be required under the city’s standard contract.

Why it matters: The project implements traffic‑calming measures identified in the Active Transportation Plan on a busy collector that carries bicyclists, school traffic and neighborhood vehicles. Staff will perform before‑and‑after speed surveys to measure project effectiveness.

Public comment: Neighbors thanked staff for the rapid‑flashing beacons at Spain and Third Street and urged additional measures to slow traffic, limit truck bypassing and lengthen red‑curb sight triangles. Several speakers supported painted bulb‑outs and careful enforcement of truck restrictions.

What the council did: By unanimous roll call the council (Lowe, Gurney, Vice Mayor Wallender, Dean and Mayor Farah Rivas) approved the plans, awarded the contract to the lowest apparent bidder, authorized construction with a 15% contingency and adopted the budget amendment.

Implementation steps: Staff will execute the contract, schedule construction, perform pre‑ and post‑construction speed surveys, and require geotechnical testing and a one‑year maintenance bond.