Council raises procurement thresholds, applies for RSTP grants and approves SB 1 project list

Tehachapi City Council on Tuesday approved staff recommendations to increase city purchasing thresholds, authorized the filing of an application for Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding for up to four projects and adopted the city’s annual SB 1 road-maintenance project list.

City staff presented a proposed amendment to the city’s purchasing system policy—codified as an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 17-04-742 of the Tehachapi Municipal Code—that raises several dollar thresholds to reflect inflation and streamline procurement. Staff recommended raising the contract purchase-order threshold from $30,000 to $100,000 and requiring public bidding and council approval for purchases above $150,000; professional services contracts above $100,000 would require an RFP or RFQ. City staff said federal grant procurement rules would continue to govern federally funded projects.

After brief council questions, the council approved the ordinance’s first reading by a 4-0 vote. The ordinance was identified in the staff presentation as an amendment to Ordinance No. 17-04-742; staff recommended returning for a second reading and final adoption at a later meeting.

The council also adopted a resolution authorizing filing for the 2025 RSTP funding cycle and committing the required local match. City staff (Andrew, first name used in the presentation) said the city plans to apply for four projects—two regular-cycle projects (E Street from Snyder to Robinson; Elm into Applewood from Cherry to Pinon) and two contingency projects (Mulberry from Tehachapi Street; Tehachapi Boulevard from Walmart Drive to Mountain View). Staff said RSTP grants typically fund about 88% of project costs, leaving a roughly 11.47% local match; the applications will be competitive and additional projects are contingent on award. That resolution passed 4-0.

Finally, Don Marsh (staff) reviewed the city’s annual SB 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017) submittal. Marsh said the city typically saves SB 1 funds for about three years to assemble a surface-treatment project; this year’s list includes North Mill Street and West H Street slurry seals, the Heritage Oaks area slurry seal, Alta Estates slurry seal and a catchall for additional downtown streets as funds allow. Marsh explained slurry seal as a preventive-maintenance surface treatment that extends pavement life and is comparatively inexpensive; the council approved the resolution accepting the SB 1 project list by a 4-0 vote.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance (first reading): Amendment to Tehachapi Municipal Code, Ordinance No. 17-04-742, updating city purchasing thresholds. Outcome: first reading approved, 4-0. Details: increases contract purchase-order threshold from $30,000 to $100,000; public-bid threshold set at $150,000; professional services above $100,000 to require RFP/RFQ. Second reading/final adoption not yet completed.

- Resolution: Authorize filing for 2025 RSTP funding and commit local match for up to four projects. Outcome: approved, 4-0. Details: projects listed; estimated grant share ~88% with local match ~11.47% when awarded.

- Resolution: Accept list of projects to be funded by SB 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017). Outcome: approved, 4-0. Details: proposed slurry-seal projects on specified streets; funds are saved and allocated for preventive maintenance.

Council members did not request additional study or changes to the proposals at the meeting. Staff noted that federally funded projects remain subject to federal procurement thresholds and that successful RSTP grants would require council action to accept awards and allocate local match funds.