Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, P.E., T.E., PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PREPARED BY: DAVID GRANTHAM, P.E., CITY ENGINEER
JUAN ZAVALA, P.E., PRINCIPAL CIVIL ENGINEER
SUBJECT: $899,985 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DOKKEN ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE HARBOR BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREETS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
SUMMARY
Award $899,985 Professional Engineering Services Agreement to Dokken Engineering, Inc., for the Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve $90,000 Measure M2 Funds (Fund 25) budget transfer and appropriation from fund balance to Project 48009 Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74).
Approve and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a $899,985 Professional Services Agreement with Dokken Engineering, Inc., for the Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project design services.
Authorize Administrative Services Director, or designee, to issue $899,985 purchase order to Dokken Engineering, Inc., for the Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project.
Authorize Public Works Director, or designee, to approve change orders for professional engineering services within the approved project budget.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Reject proposal
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
City Council accepted and allocated a $4.854 million Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) grant award and a required minimum 12% local funding match totaling $585,000 Measure M2 funds on April 1, 2025. The federal grant funding covers eligible project engineering design services, environmental studies, right-of-way, construction and construction management services activities. The grant limits the amounts available for each of these activities with the City responsible for any additional costs. The grant covers up to $306,000 for engineering design services.
Staff budgeted sufficient funding for the anticipated design scope but the current allocation does not provide flexibility if unexpected or unforeseen conditions or design challenges arise during project development. Staff recommends a $90,000 Measure M2 Funds (Fund 25) budget transfer and appropriation from fund balance to Project 48009 Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74) to provide adequate contingency and ensure the project can proceed without delay should the project require additional design efforts.
Staff attached a budget data sheet for reference (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Caltrans constructed the segment of Harbor Boulevard from Brea Boulevard / Valley View Drive to Valencia Mesa Drive (Attachment 2) before relinquishing to the City on July 1, 1978. Caltrans practice at that time did not construct improvements other than roadway pavement, resulting in a large portion of the segment missing sidewalk, lighting or other typical improvements for a “complete” street.
Staff investigated options and alternatives over the past several years to provide, at a minimum, pedestrian access through the segment including an alternative to construct very significant retaining walls into the slope adjacent to the YMCA. While technically feasible, the practical operation of this construction is extremely difficult and hugely expensive and impactful. In addition, future maintenance of the walls would prove a burden to the City and taxpayers.
Staff investigated new alternatives, in conjunction with the 2023 Orange County Complete Streets Program (OCCSP) Grant opportunity, to provide pedestrian access, enhanced bicycle movement and minimal impact to the YMCA slope, resulting in a proposed project to reduce the roadway from a six-lane classification to a four-lane classification and allow the City to construct needed improvements generally within the existing roadway section.
The proposed project would rehabilitate pavement, enhance buffered Class II bike lanes and Class IV bikeways and complete missing sidewalks on both sides of Harbor Boulevard. Other improvements include enhanced transit stops, ADA-compliant upgrades, upgraded street lighting, new center medians, drought-tolerant landscaping and a new signalized intersection at the Brea Dam Park entrance, facilitating access for park visitors, Golfer’s Paradise patrons and cyclists traversing the Fullerton Loop trail.
City Council authorized staff to apply for the 2023 Orange County Complete Streets Program (OCCSP) Grant to fund a portion of the Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project on October 3, 2023. The grant had a $5 million maximum award.
The City received official grant award notification on June 6, 2024, confirming receipt of $4,854,000 million in federal STBG and CMAQ funding.
OCTA approved the proposed lane reduction and amended the Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH) on September 9, 2024 to reclassify this segment of Harbor Boulevard from a six-lane major arterial to a four-lane primary divided highway, preserving City eligibility to utilize Measure M2 funds for future maintenance and improvements along the segment.
City Council accepted grant funding and approved budget appropriations for the project on April 1, 2025.
The City updated the General Plan, per Resolution No. 2025-055, reclassifying the segment from a Major Arterial to a Primary Arterial Highway to align with OCTA revision and funding requirements on October 21, 2025.
The City issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional engineering design services (Attachment 2) to initiate the design phase on March 31, 2025 with proposals due May 6, 2025.
The City received fourteen Statements of Qualifications in response to the RFQ. A Rater Panel consisting of Public Works engineering project management staff evaluated proposals and invited four firms to interview with the City selection panel. Evaluation criteria included experience with federally funded Complete Streets and Active Transportation projects, understanding project objectives, project management approach and key personnel qualifications.
Staff scored the applicants and identified Dokken Engineering, Inc. as the highest-rated firm. Dokken Engineering, Inc. demonstrated extensive experience with Caltrans Local Assistance procedures, comprehensive understanding of STBG and CMAQ program requirements and a strong project team with a proven record of delivering federally funded transportation projects.
Staff subsequently negotiated a detailed scope and fee with Dokken Engineering, Inc. to perform professional engineering design services, including environmental clearance, plan preparation, specifications and estimates and coordination with Caltrans and OCTA (Attachment 3) to ensure the project meets all federal requirements. The negotiated fee totals $899,895, including the optional tasks. Staff anticipates the project will require the optional tasks but will remove from the scope of work and associated fee if not needed.
Staff will issue a Notice to Proceed if City Council approves this item. Staff anticipates the design phase completed within approximately 12 months, positioning the project to meet the federal funding obligation and proceed to construction in Fiscal Year 2026–27.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Budget Data
Attachment 2 – Project Location Map
Attachment 3 – Professional Services Agreement with Dokken Engineering, Inc. cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Professional Services Agreement with Dokken Engineering, Inc.
November 4, 2025 - Page 2