Copper Thieves Target Street Lights

RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

SUISUN CITY, Calif. – Copper thieves are once again stripping street lights of their wiring in Suisun City, and the public’s help is needed to catch these criminals and safeguard our street lighting.

On April 17, the Police Department reported four street lights were not working on Railroad Avenue near Village Drive. When Public Works crews responded, they discovered the wiring had been cut and stolen from the conduit between the street lights, and found that additional lights also were affected.

Replacing street light wiring is both time-consuming and very expensive. The City does not have equipment necessary to rewire the lights so a private contractor must be hired, which is an unbudgeted expense.

For a period of more than a year, copper thieves have been stealing wiring from street lights on Walters Road and in the Peterson Ranch subdivision.

Residents should watch for unusual activity near street lights poles particularly during evening hours. Legitimate work on City street lights is normally conducted during the daytime by crews with vehicles and uniforms bearing the City emblem, PG&E logos, or a contractor employed by the City.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity is encouraged to immediately call the Police Department at 707-421-7373.

Audio Equipment and HVAC Bids Now Being Accepted

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Building and Public Works Department has opened bidding for two projects: 

1. Council Chamber Conference System, and
2. HVAC Controls Upgrade Project

Proposals and/or bids for each project are due on March 27, 2012.  For more information, please visit www.suisun.com 

The Council Chamber Conference System project consists of replacing the digital audio conferencing system used in the City Hall Council Chamber. The system must consist of nine council microphones, one audience podium microphone and one presenter microphone.

The HVAC Controls Upgrade Project involves upgrade or replacement of existing HVAC control system at the Community Center, install new compatible controls at City Hall, the Police Station and the Senior Center; integrate all locations to be computer controlled at the City Hall location; and other incidental work as required.

More detailed information about both projects, including complete notices, are available at www.suisun.com

Pintail Drive Rehabilitation Project Construction Begins Tuesday

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Construction work on the $500,000 Pintail Drive Rehabilitation Project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, and continue through about mid-November, depending on weather conditions.

The work will include significant sidewalk and curb work, isolated road base repair, and complete roadway resurfacing of Pintail Drive from Sunset Avenue to Emperor Drive. Road base repair and crack sealing on Pintail Drive will extend from Emperor Drive to Walters Road.

To limit the impact to nearby residents, all work is to be conducted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work hours or times may be extended for construction conflicts or emergencies.

During the entire construction period, the contractor - Ghilotti Construction Co. - is required to maintain through traffic controls to allow traffic flow and bus service through the construction zone. However, some unavoidable traffic delays and detours are to be expected during the construction period.

Construction and Public Works officials are coordinating all work to minimize impact upon the Suisun City Library, Suisun Elementary School, the Suisun City Fire Department, and ongoing construction of the Salvation Army Kroc Center.

For more details on this project, go to www.suisun.com/pintail.html

Chyrl Way Rehabilitation Project Now Open for Bidding

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - During the current construction season, Chryl Way will see major improvement work ranging from new sewer mains and water service lines to an entirely new street surface, according to a project announcement released by the Suisun City Public Works Department.

The Chyrl Way Rehabilitation Project is another collaboration between Suisun City Public Works and Suisun-Solano Water Authority. The two agencies have coordinated major water service and street repair work for several years to minimize disruption to residents, and reduce costs of the work.

The project will remove the entire street surface on Chryl Way from Blossom Avenue to Humphrey Drive to allow the sewer mains and water service lines to be replaced. Once the underground work is complete, the roadway, including curbs, gutters and curb ramps, will be rebuilt.

Construction firms interested in the work have until July 28, 2011, to submit their bids. Officials expect the construction work to be underway by late summer.

For information on bidding for the project, please click here.

Pintail Drive Rehabilitation Project Opened for Bids

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Pintail Drive will be completely resurfaced from Sunset Avenue to Walters Road under a notice to contractors issued by the Public Works Department.

Using a federal transportation grant, Suisun City officials plan to repave the one of the main arterial streets lacing together most of the city's neighborhoods, replace curbs and sidewalks, and install new access ramps at corners.

Any contractors interested in bidding on the work have until July 12, 2011, to submit bids.

The work is expected to take place later this summer.

>> Click here to see the bid documents or for more information >>

Grizzly Island Trail Project Environmental Documents Released for Comment

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Suisun City Community Development Department has released the environmental documents for the Grizzly Island Trail project for public review and comment.

Written comments will be accepted through July 14, 2011.

The Grizzly Island Trail project would create a .9-mile concrete recreational trail for pedestrians and bicyclists along the south side of state Highway 12 from Grizzly Island Road to Marina Boulevard.

The project would create a safe route for students from Lawler Ranch to reach Crystal Middle School without having to cross Highway 12, and provide the public with new access to the Hill Slough Wildlife Area, which is owned and managed by the state Department of Fish and Game.

The initial environmental study indicates that the project would not result in any significant impacts to environmental resources. As a result, a proposed negative declaration of environmental impact also was prepared and circulated for public comment.

For more information on the project or to review the documents, go to www.suisun.com/Grizzly-Island-Trail.html.

Bidding Opens for Firms to Repair Lawler Falls Park Ponds

SUISUN CITY — The Public Works Department has issued a notice to contractors seeking bids the repair and reconstruction of the Lawler Falls Park Ponds.

The public bidding process follows City Council authorization to repair and rehabilitate the ponds, which had been inoperable due to an undetermined leakage problem.

Lawler Falls Park is located in Lawler Ranch and was built in the late 1980’s. The Park has a waterfall and a two- tier lower pond basin with a circulation system. >> map >>

Last summer, KASL Consulting Engineers inspected the ponds and concluded that a new geomembrane liner be installed to prevent water seepage through the bottom of the ponds.

Qualified firms are invited to review the project plans and specifications to submit a bid by June 16. Construction work is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

The work plan requires the removal of the existing ponds and reconstructing them with a new liner to prevent leaking issues that kept the ponds from functioning properly.

>> Click here for the Notice to Contractor information >>

>> Read related staff report to the City Council >>

Urban Water Management Plan Meetings Set

SUISUN CITY - Two public meetings will be held to introduce the Suisun-Solano Water Authority (SSWA) Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Your ideas, opinions and suggestions are invited to assist us in updating the Plan, which addresses water supply and conservation for our city.

Two public meetings were scheduled to gather input and adopt the Plan:

• 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2011 is a public meeting to gather concerns or new ideas from residents.
• 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2011, is the Public Hearing before the SSWA Board, which will consider adoption of the Plan

Meetings will be held at the Suisun City Council Chambers at 701 Civic Center Blvd., Suisun City, CA.

Please come to hear and participate in these presentations regarding the management of present and future water supplies. Water reliability, future demands, water conservation targets and drought strategies will be discussed.

This State mandated plan is a five-year update for long-term water resource planning to ensure adequate water for the City of Suisun City and outlying areas served by the SSWA. Please join us to discuss these important water supply topics.

Feel free to notify project manager Frank Morris at 707-455-4026 or fmorris@sidwater.org if you have any specific ideas or concerns.

>> Download the meeting notice in .pdf format >>

Cordelia Road to Close for Railroad Work

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Cordelia Road at the railroad crossing west of School Street will be closed from Noon, Thursday April 14 through 2 p.m. Friday April 15 for railroad work.

Union Pacific Railroad notified the City that track work in required in the vicinity of a track upgrade installed last year. The work will require regrading a portion of the track area, including removal of some of the road surface adjacent to the track.

Public Works crews will be on hand for the closure, and to install new road surface asphalt when the railroad work is completed.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, and use an alternate route. To get around the work zone

• Westbound: Take Main Street north to Highway 12 west then turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue to Cordelia Road
• Eastbound: Turn left from Cordelia at Cordelia Road, turn right on Highway 12 and use the Main Street / Civic Center Drive exit to access Lotz Way and Main Street.

>> Click for a map of the area with alternate routes >>

The Suisun City Public Works Department regrets any inconvenience, but is committed to working with partner agencies, such as Union Pacific Railroad, to ensure safe and secure public thoroughfare. The Cordelia Road crossing will be reopened as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Learn more about the Public Works Department.

Engineering Firm Sought for Water Treatment Plant Project

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Suisun Solano Water Authority is looking for proposals from qualified engineering firms to prepare a condition assessment and rehabilitation plan for the Cement Hill Water Treatment Plant.

It will build on previous work by providing a complete facilities assessment and present a plan for the rehabilitation of the plant through future capital projects. The plant consists of two water treatment lines built in 1973 and 1992, respectively.

The facility has a treatment capacity of 8.5 million gallons per day, and delivers water to the City of Suisun City and residents of unincorporated areas nearby. SSWA is a joint powers authority formed by Suisun City and the Solano Irrigation District to supply drinking water to their customers.

The project involves a comprehensive assessment of all plant equipment and capabilities. Interested firms should respond by May 18.

For full details on the project and how to submit a response, go to www.Suisun.com/PublicWorks/Projects.html.

Public Invited to Comment on Grizzly Island Trail

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The public is invited to share its input on the Grizzly Island Trail project, which would create a pedestrian/bicycle trail from Grizzly Island Road to Marina Boulevard on the south side of State Route 12.

Any comments must be received by 6 p.m. Monday April 11, 2011. A hearing before the City Council will be scheduled for later in the month during which additional public comment can be offered.

This .9-mile concrete trail, will

• Eliminate or minimize the need for students who attend Crescent Elementary School and Crystal Middle School to cross Highway 12 to reach a sidewalk or bike path.
• Eliminate or minimize the need for Suisun City residents and visitors to cross Highway 12 when bicycling or walking to destinations on the south side of Highway 12, and to reduce the incidence of illegal/unsafe crossings of Grizzly Island Road and Marina Boulevard. These destinations include the Lawler Ranch neighborhood, the Lawler Ranch Commercial Area, the Waterfront District, and the multi-modal transit station, as well as the Solano County Offices and Downtown Fairfield.
• Augment and complement the existing natural educational programs administered by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and the Suisun Resource Conservation District.
• Provide a visual and recreational buffer between the Highway 12 corridor and the adjacent Suisun Marsh habitat to encourage viewing of wildlife and the marsh area.

The total project cost is about $2 million with grant funding secured through the Solano Transportation Authority and the state Safe Routes to School Program. The project has a construction deadline of June 2012.

>> See the designs and learn how to share your thoughts with the City >>

Suisun City Seeks Proposals for Copier Leasing

SUISUN CITY - The City is seeking proposals to provide cost-effective and quality copier leasing and associated services for reproduction in nine facilities located throughout the City.

The contract is for a period of three years with an option for an extension of up to two years.

Proposals are due February 2, 2011, with the contract awarded in March.

>> Learn more about this bid opportunity >>

>> Read more about the Suisun City Public Works Department >>

Firm Sought to Help Closeout Hwy. 12 Project Documentation

SUISUN CITY - The Public Works Department is seeking professional consulting firms to prepare and process closeout Right-of-Way Map, easement documents and related documents on a federal-aid project - the State Route 12 Widening Project - for approval of Caltrans and responsible governing agencies.

The chosen consultant will provide complete, professional, high-quality services and products; to consult City personnel, Caltrans and others who are involved with the project; and to provide the expertise, guidance, advice and assistance in accomplishing the work.

The State Route 12 Widening Project was completed in the early 1990s. The City was the lead agency and was to acquire lands for the highway and the environmental mitigation area, as well as all necessary easements, including a 20-foot-wide public utility easement for underground utilities that were relocated along the south side of State Route 12. Portions of the land acquired by the City were to be turned over to Caltrans. The City has acquired the necessary lands but the process to closeout right-of-way documents for the project was never completed.

The City-acquired parcels have not been transferred to Caltrans and the easements have not been granted to the utility companies, which include AT&T, the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, PG&E and Travis Air Force Base. The scope of work on the closeout project is to complete this process to the satisfaction of the City and Caltrans.

Submittals are due January 20, 2011.

>> Learn more about this bid opportunity >>

>> Read more about the Suisun City Public Works Department >>

Architect Sought for Suisun City Senior Center Project

SUISUN CITY - The Public Works Department is seeking qualified firms to provide the architectural and engineering expertise necessary to design and prepare the plans and specifications for the Senior Center Renovation and Remodeling Project.

The City of Suisun City has received a Community Development Block Grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development to rehabilitate and remodel the Suisun City Senior Center in the amount of $600,000. >> Read Related Article >>

The Suisun City Senior Center was built in 1987 and is approximately 5,000 square feet. Since opening in 1987, the senior population in Suisun City has grown to three times the original population, increasing demand on the Senior Center and its services. The City is requesting services to prepare construction plans and specifications for a renovations and remodel of the Suisun City Senior Center. Possible renovations include kitchen remodel, additional building square footage, roof replacement, and other interior and exterior improvements.

Statements of qualifications are due January 6, 2011, and with the contract awarded in February.

>> Learn more about this bid opportunity >>

>> Read more about the Suisun City Public Works Department >>

Suisun City Secures $685,000 Grant for Senior Center Improvements

SUISUN CITY – The Suisun City Senior Center will get a new roof, kitchen, site improvements and pedestrian safety measures thanks to a $685,000 federal grant.

Suisun City Public Works officials received written confirmation of the grant award this week from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, which administers the program. The City applied for the grant for the second time this June through the Community Development Block Grant program.

The block grants, designed to benefit low- and moderate-income people, are highly competitive. This is the first rehabilitation grant Suisun City has received through this program.

“The money is sorely needed to upgrade this vital facility that serves so many Suisun City seniors,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “We are delighted the State recognized this need in our community, and appreciate the outstanding grant-writing by Public Works Management Analyst Alysa Majer.”

By early 2011, Public Works staff expects to issue bidding documents to start the process of designing and building the Senior Center improvements.

The Senior Center, located at 318 Merganser Drive, was built in 1987 to provide recreation and social activities for local seniors, and access to a variety of resources. But since the Center was constructed, Suisun City has seen its population of seniors increase more than 150 percent.

The block grant will

• Renovate the kitchen, including new energy efficient appliances and safety devices
• Replace the roof, which regularly leaks during storms
• Upgrade landscaping, parking, trash enclosures, fencing and other exterior features.
  

In addition, the City will upgrade the facility’s driveway and ramps to enhance accessibility, install countdown pedestrian signals at nearby intersections, repair sidewalk tripping hazards and improve accessibility at a nearby bus shelter.

Speed Radar Signs to be Installed in Suisun City

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - New solar-powered speed radar signs will be installed on Pintail Drive this fall near two local elementary schools.

The signs are designed to remind motorists of the speed limit on the street and encourage them to comply. The new signs will create a safer environment for students walking or riding their bikes to and from the schools.

The Suisun City Public Works Department is seeking quotes from qualified contractors to install the new signs.

Contractors interested in providing quotes for this work are encouraged to submit a formal bid to the Public Works Department. All bids are due by 2 p.m. Wednesday October 27, 2010. >> Read more >>

Suisun City to Upgrade Highway 12 Signage

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Suisun City Public Works Department is seeking quotes from qualified contractors to upgrade the signage along Highway 12 through the city.

To enhance the highway driving experience and support the City's economy, various signs along Highway 12 will be relocated and some additional signage will be installed. The work is expected to take place in late 2010 or early 2011.

Contractors interested in providing quotes for this work are encouraged to submit a formal bid to the Public Works Department. All bids are due by Noon Tuesday October 26, 2010. >> Read more >>

Engineers to Present Recommendations to Fix Lawler Falls Park Ponds

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Suisun City Parks and Recreation Commission will receive a report on Sept. 1, 2010, from KASL Consulting Engineers regarding the perpetually leaky Lawler Falls Park ponds.

KASL was hired by the City Council in June, following a competitive bidding process, to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study to identify the factors contributing to the water loss.

The resulting study included a thorough inspection of the facility, and a report that identifies deficiencies and provides recommendations to restore the ponds and pump circulation system to full operations with minimal water loss.

The ponds in Lawler Falls Park have leaked for some time, despite the best efforts of City engineers to determine the source of the leak and at least one attempted repair.

KASL will present its report and recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 701 Civic Center Blvd.
>> See meeting agenda >>

To keep posted on future projects and local events, follow Suisun City on Twitter.

Pedestrian Safety Project Opened for Bidding

NEW HIGHWAY SIGNALS PART OF SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAM

SUISUN CITY - As part of the City's ongoing commitment to enhance safe routes to local schools, the Public Works Department is seeking contractors qualified to install new pedestrian signals at three key intersections.

New pedestrian countdown signals will be installed at three frequently used surface crossings on Highway 12

• Marina Boulevard
• Sunset Avenue/Grizzly Island Road
• Lawler Ranch Parkway/Emperor Drive

The new signals, known as countdown signals, will indicate to pedestrians the amount of time they have remaining to cross Highway 12 before the traffic signals change.

These key intersections are commonly used by students to travel by foot or bicycle to various school campuses in Suisun City. Suisun City Public Works has coordinated the installation of the new signal devices with Caltrans.

The intention is to have the new signals up as soon as possible to enhance the safety of students returning to school in the fall.

>>Read more about the project and see bidding information>>

Suisun City Public Works Seeks Landscaping Firm

Plantings to Beautify New Bike Trail Extension

SUISUN CITY - The Public Works Department wants to hire a landscaping firm to install attractive new plantings along the recently completed Central County Bikeway Extension along north Main Street.

The work, estimated to cost about $55,000 to $70,000, includes removing existing plants, installing trees, shrubs and vines along with necessary irrigation systems, grading, soil preparation and constructing a retaining wall.

The landscaping will provide the finishing touches on the Bikeway Extension that links Suisun City's main residential neighborhoods with the Train Station and the Waterfront District. The Bikeway Extension officially opened in October 2009.

In addition to providing recreational opportunities and a new safe route to school, the Bikeway also is expected to be a significant route for people attending Waterfront District events, such as the upcoming Independence Day Spectacular.

>>Click for more information on the landscaping project>>