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Port Hueneme council approves first reading to authorize job‑order contracting for maintenance work
Summary
The Port Hueneme City Council introduced an ordinance authorizing job‑order contracting (JOC) and a joint powers agreement as an alternative delivery method for repetitive maintenance and minor construction projects; council emphasized it will not be used for new construction and retains council oversight for contracts over $75,000.
The Port Hueneme City Council on Feb. 17 voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance authorizing the city to use job‑order contracting and participate in a joint powers agreement for repetitive maintenance, repair and minor construction work.
City Engineer Charles Cable told the council the program, known as JOC, would streamline delivery of routine maintenance such as slurry seals, asphalt grinding overlays and other repetitive tasks. “This proposed ordinance authorizes the City of Port Hueneme to use job order contracting as an alternative to public works project delivery methods for repetitive maintenance, repair, renovation, and minor construction projects,” Cable said.
The council pressed staff on limits. Cable and the city attorney clarified that the ordinance explicitly prohibits JOC for new construction and that high‑value awards would still require council approval. “We wouldn't award contracts over $75,000 without coming to city council,” Cable said. The city attorney added that joint‑power procurement entities do not impose local hiring rules on members but that each agency can attach its own local requirements to a contract.
Council members also asked whether the JOC program would favor local labor and whether it would save money. Cable said unit prices are regionally bid and that the method is intended to streamline contracting rather than guarantee lower unit costs; staff said reduced staff time per project could lower overall project costs.
By roll call the council approved introduction of the ordinance by title only and waived further reading. The ordinance will return for a second reading and formal adoption at a future meeting.
The council took the action as part of a consented agenda of business items; public comments at the hearing were not received before the vote.
Next steps: staff will publish the ordinance language for formal second reading and return to council with any requested clarifications on labor provisions and procurement procedures.
