Memorandum
Date: May 12, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Public Works Director
Subject: Waive Competitive Bidding for the Purchase of Hot Mix Asphalt for 2026 Road Maintenance Projects
Executive Summary:
The Department of Public Works will perform multiple road resurfacing projects during the 2026 construction season. These projects generally include localized pavement repairs, placement of asphalt leveling courses, and application of double chip seal and sealcoat treatments. Successful delivery of this work requires a consistent and reliable supply of hot mix asphalt that meets County specifications and can be transported and placed within required temperature and time constraints.
County road crews will haul asphalt directly from the supplier to active job sites. Due to the temperature-sensitive nature of hot mix asphalt, extended haul times can result in reduced workability, compromised compaction, and diminished pavement performance.
The Granite Construction asphalt plant located at the Highway 175 quarry near Lakeport is the only supplier within a practical hauling distance that allows County crews to maintain material quality and efficient operations. Use of more distant suppliers would:
• Result in excessive haul times incompatible with hot mix placement requirements
• Increase fuel and labor costs
• Reduce daily production efficiency of County crews
• Risk degradation of asphalt quality prior to placement
Based on these operational constraints, Granite Construction represents the only reasonably available source capable of meeting the County’s material, schedule, and performance requirements for these projects.
County Code section 2-38.2(2) identifies the circumstances wherein the competitive bidding process may be waived. One circumstance includes situations where the unique nature of the goods or services precludes competition. In this case, the combination of geographic proximity, time-sensitive material requirements, and operational limitations of County hauling effectively limits the procurement to a single viable supplier.
Each individual project is estimated to remain within the purchasing authority of the Public Works Director for the purchase of materials for a public project. Therefore, the only action requested of your Board is waiver of the competitive bidding process.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☒ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☒ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
Waive the Competitive Bidding Process pursuant to section 2-38.2(2) for the purchase of hot mix asphalt from Granite Construction for 2026 road maintenance projects.