Council Delays $7M Water Meter Deal as Unions Question Low Bid

City Council • Rohnert ParkOctober 13, 2026

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Rohnert Park's plan to replace thousands of failing water meters hit a two-week pause Monday, Oct. 13, after three council members said they couldn't trust a bid that came in far below the competition. On a voice vote, the council put off a roughly $7 million package of construction, hardware and management contracts until Oct. 27. Organized labor lined up against the low bidder, while staff warned that every month of delay leaves aging meters undercounting water.

Water meter contract award delayed to Oct. 27 amid doubts over DB Utility's low bid
Three labor organizations urge the council to reject the bid over wage and apprenticeship compliance
City loses about 25 gallons per connection daily, against a state standard of 11.4
CenterCal files downtown application: 401 homes, 128-room hotel, one-acre plaza
Residents push for more green space and bolder design at former State Farm site

A Bargain Bid Meets a Skeptical Council

Why it matters: The project would replace about 9,649 end-of-life meters and underpins the city's compliance with state water-loss rules. Council members are weighing roughly $1 million in potential savings against worries about quality and worker protections.

Where things stand: Resolution 2026-090 bundles four pieces:

A $1,760,351.50 construction contract with DB Utility LLC
A $4,523,078.92 purchase order with Badger Meter
A $339,808 construction management agreement with MeterSys LLC
$528,105.45 in change order authority

That 30% contingency would lift DB's potential contract to about $2.29 million.

The city has installed about 10,300 meters since 2003 and reads them every 30 days. The new cellular advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI, would deliver 15-minute reads, leak alerts and a customer portal.

Public Works Director Henderson made the case for urgency. A July leak survey found 10 leaks, which staff tied to roughly 100 million gallons lost each year. About 100 meters fail every month, and crews read 500 by hand each month. Bench tests showed residential meters under-registering by 10% to 20% and commercial meters by 30% to 40%. "Our first milestone compliance date with the state is January 1st, 2028," said Henderson. He said a rebid would push work to January 2027, with construction running through year-end.

Helene Deanda, City Engineer, explained the price gap: "The reason they came in low is because they want to get into the California market." Staff, MeterSys and the city attorney's office said their due diligence turned up no red flags. "You are required to award to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder," said David Hinman, construction attorney with the City Attorney's office. He said the council's other options were to reject all bids or continue the item.

The other side: "I've never seen a bid that was this far below the other bids," said Councilmember Gerard Giudice. He later added, "But something just doesn't sit right with me on this," and moved to reject the DB bid and rebid. That motion was never seconded or voted on. "My constituents are not the testing ground," said Vice Mayor Jackie Elward. "I have too many doubts to be able to confidently move forward right now," said Councilmember Samantha Rodriguez.

Councilmember Susan Hollingsworth Adams backed the award: "I think this is an excellent project." Mayor Emily Sanborn defended the contingency and noted that another underground road project also carries 30%. "So I think the city does have a responsibility to its residents to also make sure that we are providing the most accurate information possible," said Sanborn.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Adams moved approval, with a second from Sanborn. She then amended the motion to a two-week hold so staff can answer questions on bid pricing, wages and labor sourcing. The deferral passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. Ratepayers keep relying on failing meters in the meantime. DB may also withdraw once its 90-day bid hold expires.

What's next: The item returns Oct. 27.

Labor Lines Up Against the Low Bidder

Why it matters: Three labor organizations made a coordinated push, turning a utility procurement into a test of how the city polices prevailing wage, the state-set pay floor on public works jobs.

Where things stand: Justin Bachman, representative of the Foundation for Fair Contracting, said DB's own letter admitted prior non-compliance on certified payroll and apprenticeship rules. He said the company's Sept. 4 response was never shared with his group. He also questioned the contingency, saying unions typically see 10% to 15%. "I've never once seen a 30% immediately authorized," said Bachman.

"I ask tonight that you reject all bids," said Mike Pickens, district rep for Operating Engineers Local 3. Pickens disputed staff's reading of the bid tabulations. John McIntaggart, business manager of IBEW Local 551, warned about wage theft and called for an independent expert review: "we need to pause, pump the brakes."

Paul Carey, a District 2 council candidate, said the bid ran 40% below the mean. "This isn't just a low bid. This is shifting risk," said Carey.

The other side: Trevor Beck, owner of DB Utility LLC, said the price reflects in-house software, efficient crews and a push to build California references. "This is as much of a marketing project for us as it is a money-making project, if you will," said Beck. He said DB hired a labor-compliance consultant after a Camarosa Water District project. He also said DB did not set the contingency and has never dipped into contingency on its reference jobs.

Staff said the city keeps its own labor compliance firm and that Sonoma County offers no reduced special wage determination. In response to a question from Rodriguez, staff said the work would be paid at the plumber's rate.

Mark Orloff, planning commissioner, praised staff's vetting: "they're being responsible and trying to save the taxpayers of Rohnert Park money."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council asked DB to meet with representatives of local plumbers during the deferral. That gives organized labor a direct channel before Oct. 27 and gives DB a chance to answer the compliance questions in person.

Downtown Plan Arrives, Green Space Debate Follows

Why it matters: CenterCal's filing for 6400 State Farm Drive starts formal entitlement review for the city's signature development. An exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) requires project approval by May 2027 unless it is extended.

Where things stand: The application includes:

More than 160,000 square feet of retail
401 homes: 100 affordable, 250 multifamily rentals and 51 single-family homes for sale
A 128-room hotel
1,255 parking spaces
A plaza of about an acre

Natalia Fossi, Director of Development Services, said the project will likely qualify for a community plan exemption under the 2040 General Plan environmental impact report. It also needs design review and a major subdivision, with hearings before Parks and Recreation, the Planning Commission and the council. "Construction is anticipated to start by summer of 2028, with the entire site to be completed no later than fall of 2030," said Fossi.

The other side: Public comment was mixed.

Steve Keith asked for museum space.
Carey welcomed the for-sale homes but said green space is shrinking and that the design and local tenants remain unclear.
Arlene Linder called the design boring, said she had heard few residents want a hotel and asked for a town square.
Michael DeSimone, a District 2 resident, supported the progress but asked for more green space and a food hall in place of a grocery.
McIntaggart urged local hire and apprenticeship pathways.

Scott Foer, Vice President of Development at CenterCal Properties, said the plaza meets the ENA's one-acre minimum and that a museum or visitor space is being explored. "We are not in the business of building parks," said Foer.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was taken, and council members praised staff and the developer. "It is the jewel of the 101," said Giudice. Adams cited "benchmarks set, benchmarks met," and Elward praised "Not just promises, but real results." Future homebuyers and renters stand to gain new supply, including 100 affordable units. Green-space advocates and labor will be pressing their cases through the hearings ahead.

What's next: CenterCal is targeting approval in early 2027.

Consent calendar approved on a voice vote; the transcribed tally was unclear, and no roll call was taken. It included a $344,000 downtown planning consultant task order (Item 7D). Carey asked the council to "pull Item 7D off consent and vote it down." Staff said CenterCal reimburses those costs.
Nov. 24 and Dec. 22 meetings canceled with no opposition. The Dec. 8 meeting will accept Nov. 3 election results and install new leadership.
Proclamations honored Cal Skate and YWCA Sonoma County, both marking 50 years. YWCA reported 5,636 nights of refuge last year.
Rancho Verde Mobile Home Park resident Jan Kirby asked Public Works and Sonoma Water to ready nearby creeks for El Niño.
Voter deadlines: Registration closes Oct. 19. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10. The community center polling place is open Oct. 22 through Nov. 3.

Looking ahead: The water meter award returns Oct. 27. The city's Halloween Carnival is Oct. 24.

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