Agenda #: 5.6
Meeting Date: June 17, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARCHITERRA
DESIGN GROUP TO PROVIDE LANDSCAPE PLAN CHECKING AND
INSPECTION SERVICES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028.
STRATEGIC
GOAL: Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve, and authorize the City Manager to sign, the Consulting Services Agreement with Architerra Design Group, to provide Landscape Plan Check and Inspection Services through June 30, 2028.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed three-year Consultant Services Agreement authorizes the consultant to submit invoices to the City for a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000 per fiscal year. No additional appropriation is required, as the costs associated with the consultant’s landscape plan check services are funded through application and processing fees paid by project applicants.
BACKGROUND:
On July 1, 2020, the City executed a three-year Consultant Services Agreement with David Evans and Associates to provide landscape plan check services. The original agreement included two one-year extension options, both of which the City exercised.
The current extension expires on June 30, 2025.
CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS:
On May 2, 2025, the City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) through PlanetBids, inviting landscape architecture firms to submit proposals for landscape plan check services. Twenty firms viewed the RFP, and the City received proposals from the following seven firms:
• Architerra Design Group (ADG)
• David Evans and Associates
• Hirsch & Associates, Inc.
• Ladayu Consulting Group
• LRM Associates, Inc.
• Van Dyke Landscape Architects
• Willdan Engineering
After reviewing the proposals, contacting other municipal clients and conducting a final interview, staff determined that ADG is the firm most likely to deliver the highest overall value to the City’s project applicants. The following discussion highlights the key reasons that led to this determination.
○ Relevant Experience. ADG has extensive experience working with numerous municipalities and public agencies as on-call landscape architects, providing design review, plan check, and inspection services. Current clients include the cities of San Dimas, Wildomar, Murrieta, Baldwin Park, Chino, Menifee, Moorpark, Signal Hill, San Gabriel, and Hesperia.
○ Competitive Rates. The firm offers competitive fixed hourly rates. ○ Strong References. ADG received outstanding references highlighting its efficiency, exceptional customer service, and ability to deliver thorough, detailed project reviews in a timely manner.
○ Workplace Stability. The firm fosters a supportive workplace culture, offers comprehensive employee benefits, and encourages long-term staff tenure. ○ Regulatory Knowledge. The firm actively monitors California legislation related to landscape and water efficiency and keeps cities informed of new requirements, such as updates to the California Building Code, the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, AB 1572 (Non-Functional Turf), CALGreen Standards, and the latest CAL FIRE Very High Fire Severity Zone mapping and restrictions. ○ Community Engagement. A member of the ADG team currently serves on the Design Review Committee for the City of Murrieta.
○ Familiarity with the Area. ADG has completed several landscape design projects within the City, including Sycamore Canyon Trail and Park, Peterson Park, Silvertip Park, Stardust Park, Longview South Park, Starshine Park, Diamond Bar High School, and Chaparral Middle School.
Cost Comparison
ADG’s hourly rates were among the lowest of all proposals received. The table below compares hourly rates by position; roles anticipated to generate the most billable hours are highlighted in yellow. ADG’s proposal includes two billing tiers: one for the first year, and another for years two through five.
Two firms—Hirsch & Associates and Willdan Engineering—proposed lump-sum plan check review fees rather than hourly rates. Staff compiled a separate comparison table for these firms.
Firms with Hourly Rate Billing Structures
Firm Personnel Per Hour
Architerra Design
Group
Principal $200.00 / $220.00
Director $175.00 / $190.00
Project Manager $135.00 / $150.00
Landscape Designer $125.00 / $140.00
Municipal Plan Checking / Site Inspection $125.00 / $135.00 Water Auditor $125.00 / $135.00
CAD Designer $100.00 / $110.00
Clerical $65.00 / $70.00
David Evans &
Assoc.
Sr. Project Manager $290.00
Sr. Landscape Architect $200.00
Landscape Architect $185.00
Sr. Landscape Designer $165.00
Sr. Irrigation Specialist $165.00
Landscape Plan Checker $150.00
Landscape Designer $150.00 / $140.00
Accounting $130.00
Ladayu
Consulting Plan Checking / Site Inspection $200.00
Associate Engineer $110.00
LRM Assoc. Landscape Architect $150.00
Site Inspection
$150.00 + hourly
time spent
VDLA Principal $205.00
Associate / Design Director $155.00
Project Manager $150.00
Landscape Designer / Project Administrator $125.00
Plan Checker $135.00
Landscape / Irrigation Inspector $135.00
GPS Surveyor $135.00
GPS Survey Crew (2) Team Members $245.00
Admin $105.00
Firms with Flat Rate Billing Structures
Firm Service Rate
Hirsch & Assoc. Per Project Plan Check Review Fee $2,600.00 Inspections / Site Review $600.00
Irrigation Water Audit by others Review $300.00
Irrigation Audit and report for HAI $1,800.00
Willdan
Engineering
Landscaped areas totaling 500 to 7,500
square feet
$1,200 for 2 plan
check reviews.
$1,200 plus
$150.00/hour for
3 rd check
Landscaped areas totaling 7,501-15,000
square feet
$1,680 for 2 plan
check reviews.
$1,680 plus
$150.00/hour for
3 rd check
Inspections $960.00
Transparent Invoicing
One of the main factors in selecting ADG was their transparent invoicing. References contacted during the vetting process confirmed that ADG provides clear, itemized invoices, with the time spent on each task aligning with reasonable expectations.
Although landscape plan check services are funded by applicant fees, the City remains responsible for ensuring cost-effective and transparent service delivery. ADG’s fixed hourly rates will support the advancement of Strategic Plan Objective 2.1: Open, Engaged, and Responsive Government—particularly the strategy to "ensure contract service providers meet contractual expectations and deliver high-quality services." Project Manager
Ms. Jennifer Lioy will serve as the primary point of contact. She brings over 10 years of experience as a Senior Landscape Designer, including hands-on construction experience. Her portfolio spans residential and commercial projects, and she is highly skilled in reviewing and evaluating landscape plans for balanced and effective design solutions. Known for her reliability and professionalism, Ms. Lioy has passed two of the four required licensure exams on her first attempt, with final certification pending.
Mr. Gregg Denson, President and Director of Design at ADG, will oversee the plan check work and collaborate with Ms. Lioy. Mr. Denson has 27 years of professional experience in landscape architecture.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the Agreement as to form.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 5.6.a Consultant Services Agreement