Oxnard committee recommends council approve four public-works contracts for backflow devices, temporary staffing, pest control and asphalt repairs

The Oxnard City Public Works and Transportation Committee on June 24 recommended that the City Council approve four separate contracts covering backflow equipment, temporary staffing at the Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station, landscape pest control across city properties and asphalt repairs in multiple neighborhoods.

The measures matter because they fund routine operations and regulatory compliance: backflow devices protect the water system and are state-mandated; temporary staffing helps the Del Norte facility meet permit requirements for clearing its tipping floor; pest control covers parks and medians; and the asphalt project replaces temporary patches with permanent pavement in selected locations.

The committee recommended that the council authorize annual purchase orders with Astro Backflow Inc. for backflow equipment and supplies for an initial one-year term beginning July 1, 2025, with up to four one-year extensions and a total not-to-exceed amount of $860,000. Tim Beeman, assistant director of public works, said the devices “stop the water that has flowed past the meter from reentering our system,” and described the purchases as safety devices installed where there could be a potential hazard. He also said the purchases follow the city’s cross connection control policy handbook dictated by the state.

The committee also recommended a three-year agreement, with up to two one-year extensions, with Pirate California Holdings LLC (doing business as Pirate Staffing) for temporary and supplemental labor at the Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station, not to exceed $1,250,000. Brian Young, assistant public works director, said the transfer station has had high turnover for positions such as sorters and that temporary staffing fills gaps while the city conducts regular recruitment. Staff said the facility’s permit requires the tipping floor to be cleared every seven days; county inspectors perform monthly compliance checks and would issue notice of violation if the permit were breached.

For landscape pest control, the committee recommended a three-year agreement with Craigo Pest Services (three-year initial term with up to two one-year extensions) not to exceed $660,000 to treat parks, landscape medians and other landscaped areas across the city. Brandon Lopez, parks manager, said residents should report pests through the city’s 311 system or by calling the parks office and that the contract’s scope includes nonlethal methods first, with additional methods available if necessary.

Finally, the committee recommended awarding a public works project to BSN Construction for asphalt repairs (specifications PW-25-107) in multiple neighborhood locations. The construction agreement is $504,007.68 with a project contingency of $50,004.77, for a total not to exceed $555,012.45. Staff highlighted that some street repairs in the city are temporary cold patches placed after utility work and that this project is for permanent hot-mix asphalt repairs.

Votes at a glance

- Annual purchase orders with Astro Backflow Inc. for backflow equipment and supplies (initial term 07/01/2025–06/30/2026; up to four 1-year extensions; total not to exceed $860,000): committee recommended 3–0.

- Agreement with Pirate California Holdings LLC (Pirate Staffing) for temporary and supplemental labor at Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station (initial term 07/06/2025–07/15/2028; up to two 1-year extensions; total not to exceed $1,250,000): committee recommended 3–0.

- Agreement with Craigo Pest Services for landscape pest control (initial term 07/16/2025–07/15/2028; up to two 1-year extensions; total not to exceed $660,000): committee recommended 3–0.

- Agreement with BSN Construction for neighborhood asphalt repairs (contract $504,007.68; contingency $50,004.77; total not to exceed $555,012.45): committee recommended 3–0.

The items moved through committee without public comment. Each recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval and execution by the mayor if adopted.