Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 4.K
Meeting Date: September 10, 2025
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Amendment No. 1 to Professional Design Services Agreement with Verde Design, Inc. Inc. for the Esperanza Park Project (CIP No. C07021).
RECOMMENDATION:
To approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Design Services with Verde Design, Inc. to complete the record drawings for the Esperanza Park (formerly known as the Dream Homes Park) project (CIP No. C07021), extending the agreement term an additional six (6) months, and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment..
BACKGROUND:
On June 22, 2022, the city entered into an agreement with Verde Design, Inc. to provide professional landscape architecture, design, and engineering services for the Esperanza Park project (formerly known as Dream Homes Park). The original scope of work included preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), support during the bid process, technical oversight during construction, and preparation of final record drawings.
In September 2023, Verde Design completed the PS&E package, after which the project was advertised for construction bids. During this period, Verde Design assisted with bid support by responding to inquiries from prospective contractors.
In November 2023, City Council awarded the construction contract to Urban Habitat (general contractor), officially initiating the construction phase. Throughout construction, Verde Design worked closely with city staff, providing technical oversight, responding to requests for information (RFIs), and reviewing contractor submittals. Construction was completed, and Esperanza Park officially opened to the public in May 2025.
With the construction phase complete and the park officially open, the project has now entered its closeout phase.
DISCUSSION:
A key component of the project closeout phase is the preparation of record drawings (also known as “as-built” plans), which document the final as-constructed conditions, including any field changes or modifications made during construction. These “as-builts” are critical for long-term maintenance, future improvements, and any potential renovations to the park.
Although preparation of the record drawings is included in Verde Design’s original scope of work, their agreement expired on June 22, 2025. A short-term, retroactive extension is required to allow time for Verde Design to complete and submit the final as-built plans. The cost associated with this task was included in the original contract award; therefore, no increase to the contract amount is required.
Staff are recommending that the agreement be extended by an additional six (6) months, establishing a new expiration date of December 22, 2025, to allow for completion of the as- built plans task, as outlined in the scope of work.
Additionally, the city has updated its standard contract language since the original agreement was executed in 2022. As part of this amendment, Section 13 - Unauthorized Aliens, and Section 34 - Electronic Signature have been added to bring the agreement to the current city contract standards.
City staff recommend that the City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for professional design services with Verde Design, Inc. to complete the record drawings for the Esperanza Park (formally known as the Dream Homes Park) project (CIP No. C07021), extending the agreement term an additional six (6) months; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Amendment No. 1 does not modify the original scope of work or increase the approved budget amount. It solely extends the term of the agreement to provide additional time for the completion of professional services as outlined in the original scope of work.
The table below provides a summary of the funding authorized by the City Council for professional design services associated with this project.
DESCRIPTION GENERAL LEDGER
ACCOUNT CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 CIP FUND
(Prop 68) 331-100-150-156-8600-8601 C07021 $560,000 ONE TIME 2025-2026 Total $560,000
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B –Community Investment
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other city infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Verde Design Amendment No. 1 - Time Extension