Milpitas council approves renovation contract for police department women’s locker room

The Milpitas City Council on Sept. 2 authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with 1 Day Installation, Repair, Inc. to renovate the police department’s women’s locker room, funding and timeline included in the project budget.

Councilmember William Lam pulled the item from the consent calendar to ask how staff would keep the project on a schedule that listed an optimistic completion date of February–March 2026, while the contract term allowed 270 days (about nine months). He also queried how staff would control the project contingency line (listed as approximately $303,190.75 in the staff recommendation) so total costs would remain close to the budgeted amount.

Public works staff (project manager Christian) said the February–March completion estimate is “a schedule under the best of circumstances,” noting supply‑chain and materials delays can alter project timelines. Christian said the city will use a dedicated project manager, hold weekly progress meetings and scrutinize change orders; “we don’t just approve those on the fly,” he said. Staff also said work at the police station will mostly occur after-hours, a factor the project team will manage in scheduling.

Police Chief Jared Hernandez confirmed the department has an alternate, smaller space to use during construction so female officers will have access to facilities while renovation is underway.

Councilmember Evelyn Chua noted the department’s increasing number of female staff and confirmed the project will provide 44 lockers for female employees. After public comment, Lam moved to approve the contract authorization; Councilmember Chua seconded. The vote was unanimous: Vice Mayor Barbadillo, Councilmember Chua, Councilmember Lam, Councilmember Lianne and Mayor Carmen Montano all voted aye.

Staff will execute the contract, manage the project schedule and return with updates as required by city contracting rules.