San Bernardino council unanimously rejects University Parkway median bids, directs staff to rebid with options

The San Bernardino City Council on Thursday unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-66 to reject the current construction bids for the University Parkway landscape median and directed staff to rebid the project with options to lower costs or return to the original low‑maintenance design. Council member Flores made the motion and Council member Ortiz seconded it; the city clerk recorded an 8-0 vote in favor.

Council members and staff discussed why the low bid was withdrawn and whether the council should rebid the approved design or require a redesign to lower ongoing maintenance. Public works staff told the council the low bidder withdrew amid rising costs since the bid packet was issued; staff also said the second-lowest bid exceeded available funding. Staff reported an estimated annual maintenance cost of about $66,000 for the proposed landscaping package (roughly $0.58 per square foot) and said redesigning to reduce maintenance would require Department of Water Resources review, which could extend the schedule.

Several council members urged returning to the city’s typical low‑maintenance standard—river rock, concrete and drought-tolerant plantings—citing long-term operating costs and equity across neighborhoods. Council member Sanchez and others said the city should avoid creating ongoing obligations that could strain the budget, while Council member Flores emphasized the project’s role as an entryway improvement and moved to reject the bids and rebid with options.

The motion directs staff to: reject the current bids, rebid the project using the approved design with optional line items to reduce price where possible, and return with bids and cost comparisons. The clerk recorded votes as: Sanchez—yes; Bar/Barara—yes; Feroa—yes; Sheret—yes; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Canas—yes; Flores—yes; Ortiz—yes; Mayor Tran—yes. The council adopted the resolution and gave staff direction to pursue rebidding and report back.

Next steps: staff will prepare a rebid package that includes cost-reduction options and the original low‑maintenance design for council consideration and will return with bid results and recommended options on schedule. If no acceptable bids return, the council will consider alternatives at a future meeting.