SUBJECT:
Title
ADVERTISE AND AWARD A COUNTYWIDE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION OF SELECTED CONCRETE SIDEWALKS, CURBS, AND GUTTERS AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego’s (County) Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of nearly 2,000 centerline miles of County-maintained roads, including the maintenance of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. Centerline miles represent the total length of the roads regardless of the number of lanes or overall roadway width. Maintenance of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters increases safety by separating vehicles from pedestrians, promoting walkability and healthy communities, and promoting effective street drainage.
DPW has identified a list of 143 locations for the repair and replacement of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters throughout the unincorporated area (Attachment A). The list of repair locations was developed based on routine roadway inspections conducted by DPW field crews, customer reports, and safety assessments conducted by design engineers to ensure proposed repairs result in conditions that are safe for the public and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This information was evaluated using the parameters of available budget, location, professional engineering judgement, safety considerations, and potential drainage impacts to other structures such as roadways.
Recognizing that Community Planning and Sponsor Groups (CPSGs) play a critical role in shaping the character and vision of unincorporated communities within San Diego County, community engagement for DPW projects, including maintenance and repair projects, is ongoing throughout the year and includes presentations and direct outreach to CPSGs along with resources such as the Tell Us Now! mobile app and toll-free hotlines that provide the public an avenue to report damaged facilities. County staff work closely with CPSGs to ensure that community needs and preferences are considered when prioritizing DPW projects.
While both vehicles and pedestrians benefit from these repairs, underserved communities that may rely more heavily on sidewalks as the primary mode of transportation can be disproportionately impacted by damaged facilities and are therefore prioritized during the identification process. Sidewalk repair and replacement also support specific measures in the County’s 2024 Climate Action Plan by improving the condition of existing sidewalks, which enhances pedestrian safety and mobility along roadways to encourage non-motorized transportation.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent award of a construction contract for the repair and replacement of segments of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters throughout the unincorporated area. If approved, construction is planned to begin in summer 2026 and be completed by mid-2027. Construction costs for the repair, replacement, and construction of selected concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters are estimated to be $1,310,000 including a 10 percent contingency for unexpected conditions during construction. Total project costs are estimated to be $2,081,000. The funding source is available prior year Road Fund fund balance.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find in accordance with Sections 15301(c) and 15331 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines that the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA review because it involves the maintenance and repair of existing County-maintained curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and roadway facilities involving no or negligible expansion of existing use, and includes rehabilitation activities on Old Highway 80 that will be conducted in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
2. Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to take any action necessary to advertise and award a construction contract and to take other actions authorized by Section 401 et seq., of the Administrative Code with respect to contracting for curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, throughout the unincorporated region of the County.
3. Designate the Director, Department of Public Works, as the County Officer responsible for administering the construction contract in accordance with Board Policy F-41, Public Works Construction Contracts.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The transportation system must be safe for all road users, for all modes of transportation, in all communities, and all people. Repairing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters is an important mobility element that supports effective drainage on County-maintained roads and enhances safe and effective walkability within unincorporated communities. While routine inspections of these facilities are conducted by County staff, the Department of Public Works (DPW) also relies on various community engagement methods such as the Tell Us Now! Mobile app and toll-free hotlines to intake reports of damage to these facilities. DPW developed a repair list based on this information that is proportionately distributed throughout the unincorporated area. While vehicles and pedestrians both benefit from these repairs, underserved communities that may rely more heavily on sidewalks as the primary mode of transportation can be disproportionately impacted by damaged facilities. To ensure that underserved populations are prioritized during the project selection process, data is used by DPW to evaluate and identify vulnerable populations, including data from the Healthy Places Index, the latest version of CalEnviroScreen (4.0), San Diego LiveWell communities, Environmental Justice Communities, and other relevant data sources.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Maintaining existing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters is an important component of the County of San Diego’s (County’s) road maintenance program that ensures the safe and efficient movement of people and goods and supports equity and the local economy. Today’s action contributes to environmental, social and economic sustainability goals of the County of San Diego. These goals are balanced with, and complement, the County’s sustainability goals. Maintaining sidewalks further supports walkability, mass transit, and decarbonization efforts that can reduce pollution, greenhouse gases, and vehicle miles traveled by providing alternate modes of transportation in support of the County’s Climate Action Plan and Regional Decarbonization Framework. Conducting routine maintenance of drainage facilities such as curbs and gutters improves water quality, extends the useful life of facilities, and protects County-maintained roads from costly and resource intense future repairs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan in the Department of Public Works, Road Fund. If approved, this request will result in construction costs for the repair, replacement, and construction of select concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters of $1,310,000 including a 10 percent contingency for unexpected conditions during construction. Total project costs are estimated to be $2,081,000. The funding source is available prior year Road Fund fund balance. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
County construction contracts are competitively and publicly bid and help stimulate the local economy by creating primarily construction-related employment opportunities and providing contracting opportunities for small and local businesses through the County’s Small-Local Business Preference Program and Small-Local Business Subcontractor Participation Requirements of Board Policy B-53. All workers employed on public works projects must be paid prevailing wages determined by the California Department of Industrial Relations, according to the type of work and location of the project. The prevailing wage rates are typically based on rates specified in collective bargaining agreements. A skilled and trained workforce requirement will be included in the contract in compliance with the County of San Diego’s Working Families Ordinance for County construction projects.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The County notified the various Community Planning and Sponsor Groups (CPSGs) with projects within their jurisdictions about the item being considered today. The affected communities include Alpine, Borrego, Boulevard, Fallbrook, Lake Morena/Campo, Lakeside, Lincoln Acres, Mountain Empire, Pine Valley, San Dieguito, Spring Valley, Sweetwater and Valle De Oro.
BACKGROUND
Curbs and gutters increase safety by separating vehicles and pedestrians, promote walkability and healthy communities, and provide effective street drainage. Sidewalk repair and replacement support measure T-5.1 of the County’s 2024 Climate Action Plan by improving the condition of existing sidewalks, which enhances pedestrian safety and mobility along roadways to encourage non-motorized transportation. While vehicles and pedestrians alike benefit from these repairs, underserved communities that may rely more heavily on sidewalks as the primary mode of transportation can be disproportionately impacted by damaged facilities and are therefore prioritized during the selection process. The proposed improvements also support the commitment to equity by providing public access to a wider population, including persons with disabilities and those that rely on alternative modes of transportation.
DPW evaluated sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacement and repair locations throughout the unincorporated area that were identified through roadway inspections, customer reports, and safety assessments. The evaluation identified 143 locations for this project. Recognizing the importance of proportionately distributing resources consistent with the roadway centerline mileage in each County district, representation for each district was an important consideration when prioritizing locations. Locations for repair were selected based on budget, location, professional engineering judgment, safety considerations, potential drainage impacts, potential impacts to other structures such as roadways, and consideration for underserved communities with safety being the utmost concern. Community engagement for DPW projects, including maintenance and repair projects, is ongoing throughout the year and includes presentations and direct outreach to CPSGs along with resources such as the Tell Us Now! mobile app and toll-free hotlines that provide the public an avenue to report damaged facilities. County staff work closely with CPSGs to ensure that community needs and preferences are considered when prioritizing DPW projects. DPW has developed similar sidewalk, curb, and gutter projects in past years and will continue to evaluate needs and identify locations for repair and replacement on an annual basis as funding is available.
Prior to the start of construction, notifications such as mailers, door hanger notices, social media postings, and signage that describe construction activities will be provided in primary languages spoken in respective communities. During construction, traffic control devices will be in place to limit impacts to the community and traveling public and always allow vehicle access. County staff will be on site throughout the duration of the project and will be available to respond to any project-related inquiries from the public. This project will be constructed within the public right-of-way. Plans for this project are complete, and the project is ready to be advertised.
This is a request to approve the advertisement and subsequent award of a construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the repair and replacement of segments of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters as shown in Attachment A throughout the unincorporated area. The lowest bidder is the bidder that fully complies with the bid requirements and that offers the lowest pricing based on the criteria stipulated in the bid documents. If approved, construction would be scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and be completed by mid-2027. Construction costs for the repair, replacement, and construction of select concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters are estimated to be $1,310,000 including a 10 percent contingency for unexpected conditions during construction. The funding source is available prior year Road Fund fund balance.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines exempts activities related to the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing highways and streets from CEQA review. The key consideration for this section is whether the activity involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This project consists of the advertisement and award of a contract for maintenance activities consisting of repair and replacement of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and concrete roadway panels within existing County-maintained roadways. The project includes activities that are necessary to ensure existing right-of-way facilities continue to function as designed. Additionally, Section 15331 of the CEQA Guidelines exempts projects involving the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, restoration, or preservation of historical resources consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Old Highway 80 is a historic resource and repairs will be conducted consistent with those standards. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt in accordance with Sections 15301(c) and 15331 of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves the maintenance and repair of existing public roads involving no or negligible expansion of existing use and rehabilitation of a historic roadway consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s recommendations support the Sustainability and Community Strategic Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by utilizing sustainable planning practices that avoid more costly future repairs, actively combatting climate change through maintenance and hazard mitigation, and enhancing quality of life through increasing the well-being of our residents and our environments.
Respectfully submitted,
DAHVIA LYNCH
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT
A - List of Project Locations for the Repair, Replacement and Construction of Select Concrete Sidewalks, Curbs, and Gutters