Fullerton council approves Union Pacific Trail Phase 2 contract after heated public debate

The Fullerton City Council voted 4–1 on May 20 to approve the construction contract for Union Pacific Trail Phase 2 and to authorize a $150,000 transfer from park‑dwelling funds to cover surveying, inspection and a modest contingency, after weeks of public debate and a packed public‑comment period.

The project was originally approved in January 2024 with a state grant of $1,777,200 and an anticipated city match of $330,000, but the low construction bid and added requirements raised the estimated total to about $2,394,661, staff said. Deputy City Manager and the public‑works director told council that bids, supply‑chain lead times and required testing left staff constrained and that a limited contingency would help avoid delays that could put the grant at risk.

Councilmember Nick Dunlap, who raised questions about the change in the city’s commitment, framed his concerns narrowly: “This is about the contract and the contract price,” he said during council deliberations. Dunlap and other members emphasized the need to hold contractors accountable while avoiding last‑minute overruns.

Citizens packed the meeting to speak both for and against the contract. Supporters from South Fullerton urged the council not to lose a multi‑year effort for more green space and argued that delays would cost the city the grant. Veronica Moran, who said she represents neighbors near the proposed trail, told the council the project would improve air quality and access to parks: “We are in need of better spaces … this decision to have green spaces is very important.” Opponents highlighted maintenance problems on Phase 1 and public‑safety concerns; one speaker told the council Phase 1 had been “a maintenance fiasco” and warned that building more would replicate those problems.

Councilmembers debated whether to approve the contract with the $300,000 staff requested for contingency and construction administration. After several amendments and the public’s comments, Councilmember Valencia offered a compromise motion to approve the contract and transfer $150,000 from park‑dwelling funds to cover the additional items; Mayor Jung voted No, and the motion passed 4–1. Councilmember Zara voted Aye on the final motion but had earlier abstained during other procedural votes on the platform item, consistent with his stated transparency concerns.

Staff said the $150,000 will be allocated for surveying, inspection/testing and limited contingency and that any unspent funds would return to the park‑dwelling balance. Deputy city staff told the council there are further approvals and change‑order checks required before any contingency funds are spent.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract and issue a notice to proceed on a schedule designed to meet the grant timeline and required construction windows; if significant additional funds are needed, staff must return to council for approval. The council also directed staff to provide periodic updates on costs and schedule.