After public criticism, Loomis council approves on‑call engineering contracts and staff pledges RFQ next year

Public criticism of the town’s use of on‑call engineering consultants dominated the discussion around consent agenda items 7 and 8 Monday, but council approved the contracts after extended public comment and staff responses.

Resident Dave Dowley told the council the design consultant had failed to identify buried sewer and water lines at a Sierra College project and asked that the $145,000 contract amendment to Coastland be rescinded and that the design firm be held responsible. Other commenters said the town relies on multiple engineering firms — some for relatively small projects — and questioned cumulative amounts. One commenter tallied the combined value of both contracts and amendments at roughly $1.368 million over time.

Town staff responded that the on‑call contracts stemmed from a 2018 RFP and that many inspection and permit costs are reimbursable; staff said about 80% of Unico costs are pass-through to developers and that the town adopted an 8.5 million-dollar CIP across 20–30 projects that requires consultant support. Staff acknowledged they had not run a new RFQ recently and committed to issuing one this month, with a selection process and new contracts expected by March.

Council debated whether to phase or consolidate consultant work and heard members defend staff’s use of consultants to deliver the approved capital program. After discussion, councilmember motioned and the council approved items 7 and 8 on the consent agenda by roll call.

Staff said they will return early next year with a procurement plan and proposed new contracts for council review.