6,959 / 74.9% Yes votes ...... 2,330 / 25.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The current City's Charter also allows for the City Council, by a four-fifths vote, to purchase materials or supplies for emergency purposes without advertising for bids. This exception from the advertisement of bids requirement for emergency purposes does not expressly include public works contracts. The measure will clarify that the City Council may, by a four-fifths vote, approve contracts for the construction or improvement of public buildings, works, streets, drains, sewers, utilities, parks and playgrounds without advertising for bids for emergency purposes.

This measure also affirms the discretion of the City as a charter city to be bound by the California Public Contracts Code only to the extent such requirement is expressly provided in the Charter or as expressly required by the City Council by ordinance.

The City Charter currently requires that public works contracts exceeding $5,000 be bid through competitive bidding. This requires the City to contract with an architect to design the project. When the design is complete, the City invites general contractors to bid on the project. The contract is awarded to the "lowest responsible bidder." This method is traditional, tried, but not always true.

This method does not always give the City the best value and quality. This method is time consuming and generates change orders diminishing the value of the contract. Quality suffers because the City cannot consider a contractor's experience or reputation.

If this Measure is adopted, the City can still use competitive bidding for projects costing over $25,000. It will not be the exclusive method. This Measure allows the City to formulate alternate competitive bidding processes, predicated on best value considerations, practiced with much success in the private sector, resulting in high quality projects at reasonable, budgeted costs. One best value alternative is the "design-build" process allowing the City to award a contract to a single company to design and build a project at a budgeted cost. The City could use an alternate process like design-build only if the City Council makes specific findings that use of a best value process will reduce project cost, expedite project completion, or provide unique design features.

The City needs flexibility in the award of public works contracts to secure the best value for our citizens. Vote YES on Measure U and maximize the use of your tax dollars.