Duarte council awards $1.697M contract for Watson trail improvements, asks staff to return with lighting options

The Duarte City Council voted to award the contract to FS Contractors for the Donald and Bernice Watson Multi-Use Pathway Improvement Project and approved a 7% contingency that raises the project total to $1,816,800.

Public service manager Stephanie Sandoval told the council the lowest responsive and responsible bid was $1,697,000 and that staff recommends awarding the contract with the contingency and a budget amendment to apply measure funds toward the remainder. "The lowest responsive and responsible bidder was FS contractors for $1,697,000," Sandoval said.

Council members focused discussion on lighting, safety and user experience. Council members asked staff to return with cost estimates and phased options for lighting along the roughly 1.6‑mile trail, noting some sections (notably under the bridge and between the bridge and Mount Olive) are particularly dark. Staff said under‑bridge and intersection lighting are already part of the grant‑funded scope, but a citywide lighting package would be an added cost and could be developed as an add‑on or brought back as a separate funding decision.

Other project details discussed included a slight trail widening (about a foot to a foot‑and‑a‑half in places), additional pedestrian signage and striping at trail crossings, and ensuring ADA‑compliant access at intersections. Council members suggested exploring solar, self‑contained bollards and private or institutional donations to help fund lighting.

A motion to award the contract to FS Contractors and direct staff to provide lighting estimates and options passed by voice vote.

Staff will return with lighting cost scenarios and potential phased approaches so the council can consider additional funding before construction begins.