Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ACCEPTANCE OF THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE
PROJECT
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a Resolution accepting the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project Improvements, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35-day noticing period with no protests.
Background
The City has a pathway that extends along the length of the Laguna De Santa Rosa as it winds through the City. The Pathway begins at Commerce Boulevard and runs generally southward, ending at Ladybug Park in Rohnert Park. The portion of the trail between Gravenstein Way and E. Cotati Avenue was paved asphalt, which was in poor condition and needed repair or replacement. At public meetings to consider the pathway design, the community called for its replacement with a natural fine compacted gravel material. The goal of the natural surface is to enhance the experience of trail users and slow e-bikes on this relatively narrow multi-use trail, with a material that is easily repairable by Public Works. Therefore, the direction was to remove the asphalt and replace it with a natural material as close as possible to the sections of trail between McGinnis Bridge south to Ladybug Park.
Analysis/Discussion
On April 14, 2026, City Council awarded the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project (Project) construction contract to AGD General Engineering, Inc. The work consisted of removing the existing asphalt pathway between Gravenstein Way and the pedestrian bridge just north of E.
Cotati Avenue, installing and compacting base material, pathway edging, replacing cross drains, and installing a finishing course. Work also included installation of foundations for trash and recycling receptacles at two locations along the route. On August 24, 2026, the City Engineer conducted a final inspection of the Project and determined the Project to have been completed in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and recommends the Project improvements for acceptance.
Note that the trash cans were not installed as part of this project and staff are reviewing options for trash enclosures, such as bear boxes, to address neighbor odor concerns.
Financial Considerations
The Project’s total authorized budget is $210,000, and accounts for design, construction, construction management and inspection, and direct costs. The actual project total cost is $187,261.50, which is 10.8 percent below the authorized budget. The remaining unspent funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund.
Environmental Issues
This action is found to qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301 in that the project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.