Calabasas council approves $30,000 amendment to signage contract over mayor's objection

The Calabasas City Council voted 3-1 on Aug. 27 to approve Amendment No. 2 to a professional services agreement for municipal signage, adding $30,000 to the contract.

The amendment, explained by staff member Erica Green, "is amendment number 2 to add $30,000," and would bring the contract from its original $10,000 to $60,000 and now to $90,000 to cover bronze monument plaques, park renovations and updated wayfinding and municipal code signs across city facilities.

Council discussion centered on procurement and oversight. The mayor said, "I can't approve a change order process like that," arguing he could not support a change-order practice that converts an initial $10,000 job into a $90,000 contract without prior competitive bidding or earlier oversight. Staff responded that the vendor had been used previously, provided discounts, and that some costs (such as bronze signs) were not fully known when the original contract was executed.

Council member Albrecht and others said brand consistency and timely installation of signs were important; Albrecht also praised the vendor and the program in separate remarks. After debate the council approved the amendment, with the mayor voting no and the remaining four members recorded as in favor.

The approved amendment authorizes staff to proceed with the signage updates; staff said they will continue to follow procurement rules for major contracts and that larger projects would be competitively bid if initiated at higher amounts.

The council moved on without further changes to the consent calendar.