TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 25, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO WE R BUILDERS, INC. FOR THE MILLS AVENUE BETWEEN MORENO STREET AND ARROW HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, C.I.P. 2025-07 (FUNDING SOURCES: ARPA FUND, MEASURE M FUND, AND TDA FUND)
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SUMMARY
On November 6, 2025, the City of Claremont received ten bids for the Mills Avenue Between Moreno Street and Arrow Highway Improvements Project, C.I.P. 2025-07. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder was We R Builders, Inc. of Riverside, with a bid of $207,476.
The project includes the installation of new signage and striping along Mills Avenue, as well as the construction of new sidewalk landings, crosswalks, and curb ramps in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The most significant component of the project is the construction of a raised intersection at the intersection of Mills and Cucamonga Avenues with a colored asphalt surface treatment.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Award a contract to We R Builders, Inc. and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with We R Builders, Inc. in the amount of $207,476, and authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $20,748, for a total of $228,224 for the Mills Avenue Between Moreno Street and Arrow Highway Improvements Project, C.I.P. 2025-07; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Funding for this project is included in the 2024-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, under the Traffic Calming Improvements CIP project. The following funding sources will be used for this project:
|
Funding Source |
Amount |
|
ARPA Fund - Construction |
$147,422 |
|
Measure M Fund - Construction |
$60,054 |
|
Measure M Fund - Contingency |
$19,991 |
|
TDA Fund - Contingency |
$757 |
|
Total Project Costs: |
$228,224 |
This purchase complies with all City and State purchasing guidelines. Bid and contract documents are available for review in the City Clerk's office.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this contract is estimated at $1,112 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
On November 6, 2025, the City received the following bids:
|
Bidder |
Location |
Amount |
|
We R Builders, Inc. |
Riverside |
$207,476 |
|
Onyx Paving Company |
Yorba Linda |
$252,557 |
|
FS Contractors |
Sylmar |
$267,055 |
|
Estate Design and Construction |
Culver City |
$275,400 |
|
Sequel Contractors |
Santa Fe Springs |
$282,891 |
|
Gentry Brothers |
Irwindale |
$290,900 |
|
Hardy & Harper |
Lake Forest |
$305,000 |
|
Garcon Construction |
Ontario |
$312,836 |
|
All American Asphalt |
Corona |
$339,308 |
|
Gentry General Engineering |
Colton |
$377,983 |
The apparent low Bidder, We R Builders, Inc. (We R Builders), had a bid of $207,476 according to their submittal. Following a bid package review and reference check, We R Builders is deemed the responsive and responsible low bidder. We R Builders is familiar with the Claremont community, having previously performed work for the City on the 2024 Citywide Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project.
History
Efforts to calm traffic in the Russian Village neighborhood began in January 1997. At the time, a traffic study was conducted, and the recommended improvements were presented to the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC) for implementation. The improvements included the following:
• Raised medians and rock-lined monument to create a sense of entry and identity
• Warranted three-way stop at Cucamonga Avenue and South Mills Avenue
• Decrease speed limit from thirty-five mph to twenty-five mph, supported by prima facie analysis
Even though the improvements were installed, concerns with traffic volumes and speeds continued to be brought to staff’s attention over the past several years. More recently, a large number of Russian Village neighbors attended the January 26, 2023 TTC meeting to request further consideration for a traffic investigation to consider additional traffic calming improvements.
With the Commission’s support, Engineering staff was able to add this location to the existing list of requests for traffic investigations throughout the City that the City’s traffic engineering consultant was addressing.
To address the residents’ concerns, gathering additional feedback was necessary. Engineering and Claremont Police Department (CPD) staff coordinated a neighborhood meeting on February 21, 2023, to gather more information and better understand the nature of the residents’ concerns. The meeting was well-attended, and staff were able to collect valuable feedback for consideration of additional traffic calming measures. At the meeting, there was a common consensus that there was a need to improve safety and lower speeds, while preserving the historical nature of the area.
Following the neighborhood meeting, Engineering staff coordinated with the CPD to have speed data collected to assist with the City consultant’s investigation and development of recommendations to address residents’ concerns with speeding vehicles, overall safety, heavy truck traffic, and accessibility.
The traffic consultant conducted an analysis using the information gathered and provided recommendations with improvements that could be added to enhance the overall safety of the area. These recommendations were presented to the residents at a second neighborhood meeting held on August 5, 2024. The neighbors supported the improvements as they felt that the proposed approach was creative and sensitive to the historic nature of the area, while addressing their concerns.
Scope of Work
The project scope of work includes the following improvements, supported by the Russian Village residents and the TTC.
• Speed Table at Mills Avenue and Cucamonga Avenue intersection
o Colored asphalt surface treatment (the color selected by the residents was reviewed and supported by Claremont Heritage)
o The purpose of this improvement is to promote stop sign compliance and provide traffic calming effects
• ADA Improvements
o Sidewalk landings installation/replacement
o New ramps at Mills Avenue and Cucamonga Avenue intersection
• Street Striping
o Green bike lanes
o Ladder-style crosswalks
o Curb markings
o Rumble strips
• Traffic Signage
o Update and replace existing signage
o Heavy truck traffic signage improvements
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (“Existing Facilities” - Class 1), Mills Avenue Between Moreno Street and Arrow Highway Improvements Project, C.I.P. 2025-07 qualifies as “repair” and/or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use.” None of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 are applicable here.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Sarah Reagan, E.I.T.
Community Development Director Assistant Engineer
Reviewed by:
Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
City Engineer