Logo courtesy City of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Jan. 20 meeting of the Dixon City Council began with a closed session. City Attorney Douglas White reported that direction was given to staff on three liability claims against the city. The council voted unanimously to reject claims made by Stephen Farrington and Victor Guerrero, “but the claim of Connie Corley, subject to certain language, was accepted” on a vote of 3-2, said White, with Councilmember Don Hendershot and Mayor Steven Bird dissenting. 

Dixon Chief of Police Robert Thompson introduced a request for authorization to purchase and install new evidence pass-through lockers and an evidence preparation area for the Dixon Police Department Evidence Control Room. 

These lockers are a vital component of ensuring secure evidence processing. Officers put evidence in the lockers, where it is unlocked and retrieved on the other side for processing by the evidence technicians. Chief Thompson said the existing cabinets are originals from 1989, and are made of pressed wood, which is not the most secure material. 

Under the proposed contract with Systems & Space, Inc., the new lockers would be custom built to accommodate varying sizes and types of evidence, including biological and technological, for a cost not to exceed $51,337. 

The council voted 4-0 to approve the contract, with Councilmember Thom Bogue abstaining. 

The council also heard an update about some major Capital Improvement Projects in the city. 

The Police Department’s second-story expansion is moving forward, with seven general contractors recently approved for the qualified bidders list. Staff expect to release the Request for Proposals (RFP) by the end of January, with bids due in March and the contract award expected in April. The estimated construction cost is $5 million. 

Fire Station 82 is currently undergoing redesign, as approved by the council last November. The updated plan should be 95% completed by March, to allow for permit review and final design over the following six to eight weeks. After full plan approval and permitting, the bidding process is expected to take two months, beginning in the second quarter of 2026. The estimated construction cost is $10 million. 

The Parkway Boulevard Grade Separation project had some minor delays due to external agency coordination, but it is now moving forward and on track to have the funding obligation completed in the second quarter. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) revalidation is currently in final review by CalTrans, with expected approval by the end of February.

The city expects to release the Request for Proposals in quarter 3, but bidding could be a long process due to the large-scale of the project. They hope to break ground before the end of the year. The estimated total construction costs are $32 million, with $25.2 million coming from Federal Railroad Administration grant and $6.8 million in local matching funds. 

Vice Mayor Jim Ernest said over the years he has frequently heard doubts from the public that these projects would ever move forward. He commended City Manager Jim Lindley and city staff for their dedication: “The way the money’s been budgeted, the way you guys kept going and kept going against all odds, and you’re getting all three done. I think it’s fantastic.”

Councilmember Kevin Johnson said that as the process continues, if any of the deadlines listed in the update are not met, he would like an explanation for the delay at the next council meeting following that date. 

The next meeting of the Dixon City Council is scheduled for Feb. 3.