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Calabasas council awards West Calabasas roundabout contract, majority funded by Metro Measure M
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Summary
The Calabasas City Council voted 5–0 to award the West Calabasas Road roundabout construction contract to Sully Miller Contracting Company. Staff said the project, designed to reduce severe collisions and add sidewalks and stormwater features, will be paid primarily with Metro Measure M funds; no general fund dollars were used.
The Calabasas City Council on April 8 voted unanimously to award the construction contract for a roundabout at West Calabasas Road and Moreau Road to Sully Miller Contracting Company, a project staff said will improve safety, pedestrian access and stormwater management.
City staff and consultant engineers from M & S described the project as part of the West Calabasas Road master plan, saying the roundabout will reduce conflict points and severe-angle collisions, add sidewalks to fill existing gaps, install guard railing where there is an embankment, provide stormwater treatment features, add about 10 new streetlights and plant a landmark 72-inch box oak in the roundabout center. "This is part of the West Calabasas Road Master Plan," said Sam Potts, senior project engineer at M & S, during the presentation.
Daniel (Jay) and other staff emphasized the funding approach: "The majority of the funding for this project comes from the Metro's Measure M," staff said, and they stressed that no city general fund dollars will be used. Staff indicated Measure M financing is the primary source and that the city’s ad valorem fund would serve mainly as contingency.
In council discussion, members pressed on safety studies, alternatives and costs. Councilmember Peter Kraut noted the low bids were close together—about $5.9 million to $6.5 million for the two lowest bidders—while one high bid was about $8.5 million. Mayor James Bazajan expressed concern that much of the traffic using the intersection comes from county roads and asked why the county had not contributed to the cost: "Why isn't the county contributing to the cost of this project?" he asked.
Staff responded that jurisdictional funding often follows strict boundaries and that Caltrans and other agencies have small but complicated encroachment roles in the project; they said the city could request county assistance but had not formally done so. On cost overruns, staff said they would first seek an amendment from Metro and, if necessary, use ad valorem contingency funds; staff stated the general fund would not be tapped.
A local civil engineer, Bill Cunningham, spoke in support of the project, citing safety benefits for car carriers and reduced risk of vehicles getting stuck on medians. After questions and discussion about outreach and design alternatives, the council voted 5–0 to award the contract.
The city said outreach will continue, including a contractor open house and an information table at the city's Earth Day event. Staff also said materials and supporting studies would be posted on the project website for public review.
The contract award was approved by voice vote, recorded as 5–0 in favor, and the city expects to coordinate construction sequencing and public notices before significant closures occur.
