CA Review TL
Meeting Date: Feb. 24, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director [email protected], 442-339-2941
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
[email protected], 442-339-2757
Subject: Construction Contract for the Veterans Memorial Park Project and the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project
Districts: All
Rec
ommended Action
Adopt a resolution adopting the revised plans, specifications and contract documents, accepting bids and awarding a construction contract to Brightview Landscape Development, Inc., for the Veterans Memorial Park Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4609, and the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6099, in an amount not-to-exceed $38,898,398.80.
Executive Summary
Veterans Memorial Park will be Carlsbad’s largest community park, located on 93.7 acres near the intersection of Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road.
The City Council adopted the final Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan on July 26, 2022, and found that it complied with the city’s Growth Management Plan and the Citywide Facilities and Improvements Plan’s Parks Performance Standard. The City Council also adopted related environmental findings.
Staff subsequently worked with consultants to develop the construction documents for the Veterans Memorial Park Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4609.
A related project, the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6099, will make modifications to the public right-of-way along Faraday Avenue designed to enhance access to the park.
Staff combined the plans, specifications and contract documents for the two projects into one public bid process, with the intent to award a single construction contract.
Feb. 24, 2026
Item #5 Page 1 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 The City Council adopted the plans, specifications and construction documents for the projects and authorized advertising them for public bids on Oct. 21, 2025. Staff completed the public bidding process and received four bids on Feb. 12, 2026.
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the revised plans, specifications and contract documents, accept the bids received and award a construction contract for these projects to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Brightview Landscape Development, Inc., in an amount not-to-exceed $38,898,400.
The City Council is responsible for the award of all contracts for construction projects that are subject to formal bidding procedures under Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.080(I)(6).
Explanation & Analysis
Veterans Memorial Park Project
The Veterans Memorial Park property is bordered to the southeast by the Macario Canyon and Veterans Memorial Park Open Space Preserves. Of the 93.7-acre park property, 38.82 acres will be developed, and 54.88 acres will remain designated as hardline habitat preserve areas.1 Key elements of the park project include honoring veterans for their service, minimizing environmental impact, and celebrating the site’s natural beauty and scenic views. The primary amenities designed are:
• Veterans memorial plaza
• Picnic areas
• Family-oriented bike park
• Concessions/restrooms
• Fitness equipment
• Multi-use trails
V
eterans Memorial Park is a priority project in the 2023-27 Carlsbad Strategic Plan and the 2023-30 Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan and aligns with the Carlsbad Community Vision Statement of “Access to recreation and active, healthy lifestyles.” Faraday Avenue Improvements Project
Faraday Avenue is classified as an employment/transit connector street in the Mobility Element of the city’s General Plan. Its existing speed limit is posted at 40 mph. The Veterans Memorial Park traffic study provided recommendations for access to the park along Faraday Avenue. The study proposed two new park access driveways and identified the need for left-turn lanes at each of the driveways to facilitate vehicle access to the park and help reduce delays for drivers traveling along Faraday Avenue.
This project will include construction of left-turn lanes at each of the park’s two new driveways on Faraday Avenue. New striping will be implemented along Faraday Avenue to accommodate enhanced bike lanes with buffers, and green paint will be used to highlight areas where vehicle and bike traffic may conflict to draw the attention of both cyclists and drivers and enhance bike access to the new park.
1 A "hardline" habitat preserve area is a permanently protected area designated primarily for the conservation and management of biological resources.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 Public safety staff from the Fire and Police Departments have reviewed this project’s design with engineering staff from the Transportation Department. Their shared goal was to ensure the project addressed the multiple needs of the community while balancing the priorities associated with engineering, enforcement and emergency response considerations.
Prequalification of contractors
Staff advertised a request for qualifications from contractors to prequalify for the combined projects on June 11, 2025. Eight contractors submitted responses to the request for qualifications by the July 22, 2025 deadline. Staff subsequently evaluated those responses in accordance with the criteria provided in the request for qualifications and California Public Contract Code Section 20101.
Five contractors were determined to be prequalified and eligible to submit bids on the projects:
• BrightView Landscape Development, Inc.
• Clark Construction Group California, LP
• Edwards Construction Group, Inc.
• Hazard Construction Engineering, LLC
• Los Angeles Engineering, Inc.
All contractors that submitted responses to the request were advised of their eligibility status.
Bidding process
• The City Council adopted the plans, specifications and contract documents for the projects and authorized advertising the projects for public bids on Oct. 21, 2025 • Staff advertised the projects for public bids on Oct. 22, 2025 • Staff held a mandatory pre-bid meeting for pre-qualified contractors on Oct. 30, 2025 • Staff received notification that Clark Construction, Inc. would not be submitting a bid for the projects due to the planning of resources and competing priorities • Staff responded to contractors’ questions and revised the bid documents as necessary • Staff received four bids for construction of the projects on Feb. 12, 2026 • Staff reviewed the bids and determined that Brightview Landscape was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder
Brightview Landscape and all subcontractors are properly licensed and registered with the State Department of Industrial Relations and the Contractors State License Board, and all required grant documentation was submitted at the time of bidding. The bid amount for each bid schedule was vetted and determined to be within a reasonable variance. The bid from Brightview Landscape Development was considered responsive and responsible.
After the bidding, Brightview Landscape submitted a corrected fleet compliance certification, which verifies that a company’s vehicles, drivers and operational procedures adhere to safety, environmental, and legal regulations. In keeping with the instructions given to bidders, Addendum No. 3 to the bid documents and applicable Public Contract Code provisions, the city reserves the right to waive minor irregularities and informalities in bids that do not affect price, give a bidder a competitive advantage or otherwise materially impact the bid. The corrected certification is a matter of form that did not alter the bid amount, scope or responsiveness of Feb. 24, 2026
Item #5 Page 3 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0
the bidder, and is therefore being considered a waivable, non-material informality. Under Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.080(I)(3), the City Council as the awarding authority may waive any minor irregularity or informality in a bid.
Fiscal Analysis
Veterans Memorial Park Project
The engineer’s estimate for the base construction contract for the Veterans Memorial Park Project was $43,958,454.2
Brightview Landscape Development’s bid for the associated work (Bid Schedule A) was $37,471,276.37. Brightview Landscape’s bid for the five-year management of the restored habitat (Bid Schedule C) was $997,129.03.
The total estimated construction cost for this project, which includes such items as habitat management, contingency, administration, inspection, monitoring, reporting and permitting, is $50,607,005.
The total appropriation to date for this project is $57,168,154, which consists of $49,168,154 from the Community Facilities District No. 1 Fund, $3,000,000 from a grant from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development and $5,000,000 from a grant from the State of California Natural Resources Agency.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued an agreement providing $3 million through a Community Project Funding Grant. Specific items in the bid schedule were identified as being subject to Buy America, Build America, requirements. The pre-qualified contractors were notified of the applicability of the requirements to this project, and documentation of compliance will be addressed after the award of the contract.
Additionally, the State of California Natural Resources Agency issued an agreement providing $5 million through a Department of Parks and Recreation General Fund specified grant.
The total expenditures and encumbrances to date for this project, which include items such as design and engineering, technological and management consulting and building material kits, is $6,561,149. The total available balance for the project is $50,607,005, as shown below.
2 The city uses experienced and qualified consultants to provide these estimates of projects’ probable construction cost that will be as close to the actual costs as possible.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0
Construction contract (Bid Schedule A) to Brightview Landscape -$37,471,276 Management of restored habitat (Bid Schedule C) to Brightview Landscape -$997,129 Construction contingency (estimated) -$9,809,445
Construction management and inspection by staff (estimated) -$290,145 Construction testing and inspection by third parties (estimated) -$550,000 Biological, cultural, paleontological monitoring by third parties (estimated) -$440,000 Mitigation monitoring and reporting program by third parties (estimated) -$180,610 Permitting fees and other charges (estimated) -$245,000 Design services for public art area and other areas as needed (estimated) -$235,000 Public art (estimated) -$387,900
Total estimated construction costs -$50,607,005
Faraday Avenue Improvements Project
The engineer’s estimate for the base construction contract for this project was $573,890. The Brightview Landscape Development bid for the associated work (Bid Schedule B) was $429,993.40. The total estimated construction cost for this project, which includes items such as contingency, administration and inspection, is $630,725.
The total appropriation to date for this project is $1,575,000, from the General Capital Construction Fund. The total expenditures and encumbrances to date for this project, which includes items such as design and engineering, is $204,641. The total available balance for the project is $1,370,359, as shown below.
Veterans Memorial Park Project
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4609
Appropriations to date (Community Facilities District No.1 Fund and grants) $57,168,154 Expenditures and encumbrances to date -$6,561,149
Total available balance $50,607,005
Faraday Avenue Improvements Project
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6099
Appropriations to date (General Capital Construction Fund) $1,575,000 Expenditures and encumbrances to date -$204,641
Total available balance $1,370,359
Construction contract (Bid Schedule B) to Brightview Landscape -$429,994 Construction contingency (estimated) -$109,650
Construction management and inspection by staff (estimated) -$91,081 Total estimated construction costs -$630,725
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 In keeping with Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.040(C)(5), the City Manager or designee may approve change orders in an amount equal to the contingency set at the time the construction contract is award ed, w hich is $9,919,095 for these projects.
Next Steps
Staff will process the construction contract and will coordinate the contractor’s submittal of a de
tailed construction schedule. Staff an ticipate tha t construction work will commence in spring 2026. The estimated duration of construction for the projects is 22 to 24 months.
Environmental Evaluation
Veterans Memorial Park Project
On June 15, 2022, the Planning Commission approved a mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting program, and app rov ed Conditional Use Permit CUP 2021- 0014, Coastal Development Permit CDP 2021-0052, Hillside Development Permit HDP 2021- 0006, and Habitat Management Plan Permit HMP 2021-0006 for Veterans Memorial Park.
Faraday Avenue Improvements Project
The proposed action for adopting the revised plans, specifications and contract documents, accepting bids and awarding a construction contract for the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Guidelines Section 15301 because it involves the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. No exceptions to the categorical exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 or Carlsbad Municipal Code S ection 19.04.070(C) apply.
Exhibit
1. City Council resolution
Feb. 24, 2026
Item #5 Page 6 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-045 .
A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE REVISED PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND
CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING A
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE
DEVELOPMENT, INC., FOR THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PROJECT , CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 4609 , AND THE
FARADAY AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT , C APITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 6099, IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO-EXCEED $38,898,398.80.
W
HEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined it necessary, desirable and in the public interest to construct the Veterans Memorial Park Project ( capital improvement program, or CIP, Project No. 4609) and the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 6099); and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the City Council adopted the final Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan, made a finding of compliance with the Growth Management Plan and Citywide Facilities and Improvements Plan Parks Performance Standard and adopted the related environmental findings; and WHEREAS, of the 93.7-acre park property, 38.82 acres will be developed, and 54.88 acres will remain designated as hardline habitat preserve areas; and WHEREAS, key elements of the park project include honoring veterans for their service, minimizing environmental impact, and celebrating the site’s natural beauty and scenic views; and WHEREAS, the Veterans Memorial Park traffic study provided recommendations for access to the park along Faraday Avenue; and
WHEREAS, striping will be implemented along Faraday Avenue to accommodate enhanced bike lanes with buffers, and green paint will be used to highlight areas where vehicle and bike traffic may conflict to draw the attention of both cyclists and drivers and enhance bike access to the new park; and
WHEREAS,
staff advertised a request for qualifications from contractors to prequalify for the Veterans Memorial Park Project and the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project on June 11, 2025; and WHEREAS, eight contractors submitted responses to the request for qualifications by July 22, 2025, and staff subsequently evaluated those responses in accordance with the criteria provided in the request for qualifications and California Public Contract Code Section 20101; and Feb. 24, 2026
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 W HEREAS, staff combined the plans, specifications and contract documents for the Veterans Memorial Park Project and Faraday Avenue Improvements Project into one public bid process, with an intent to award a single construction contract; and
WHEREAS, staff determined that five contractors were prequalified and eligible to submit bids on the projects; and
WHEREAS, on Oct . 21, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution adopt ing the plans, specifications, and contract documents, and authorizing the City Clerk to advertise the projects for public bids; and
WHEREAS, the projects were advertised for public bids on Oct. 22, 2025; and WHEREAS, staff responded to contractors’ questions and revised the bid documents as necessary; and
WHEREAS, staff received four bids for the construction of the projects on Feb.12, 2026, and determined that Brightview Landscape was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with a bid - for Bid Schedules A, B and C - of $38,898,398.80; and
WHEREAS, after the bidding, Brightview Landscape submitted a corrected fleet compliance certification, which verifies that a company’s vehicles, drivers and operational procedures adhere to safety, environmental, and legal regulations; and
WHEREAS, p ursuant to the instructions to bidders, Addendum No. 3 to the bid documents , applicable Public Contract Code provisions, and Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.080(I)(3), the city reserves the right to waive minor irregularities and informalities in bids that do not affect price, give a bidder a competitive advantage, or otherwise materially impact the bid; and WHEREAS, t he fleet compliance certification is a matter of form and does not alter the bid amount, scope, or responsiveness of the bidder and therefore the city’s acceptance of Brightview Landscape’s corrected certification is permissible as a waivable, non-material informality; and WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available for the construction contract in the respective project’s Capital Improvement Program Budget.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. On June 15, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 7453, approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program , and adopted Resolution No. 7454, approving Conditional Use Permit CUP 2021- 0014, Coastal Development Permit CDP 2021 -0052, Hillside Development Permit HDP 2021 -0006, and Habitat Management Plan Permit HMP 2021-0006 for Veterans Memorial Park.
3. Adopting the revised plans, specification and contract documents, accepting bids and awarding a construction contract for the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Guidelines Section 15301 because it involves the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. No exceptions to the categorical exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 or Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 19.04.070(C) apply.
4. That the revised plans, specifications and contract documents for the se two Capital Improvement Program projects are approved.
5. That Brightview Landscape Development, Inc.’s submittal of a corrected fleet compliance certification after bidding closed constitutes a waivable, non -material informality and this minor irregularity is hereby waived.
6. That the bid of $ 38,898,398.80 submitted by Brightview Landscape Development, Inc., for construction of the Veterans Memorial Park Project and the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project is hereby accepted and the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the construction contract in an amount not to exceed $38,898,398.80.
7. That the City Manager or designee is hereby authorized to approve change orders to the projects’ construction contract in an amount not-to-exceed $9,919,095.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 24th d ay of February, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSEN
T: None.
_____________
_________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_____________
_________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Feb. 24, 2026
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8ED00BC5-1F11-47A0-A423-134DEDDC6AE0