Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, P.E., T.E., PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PREPARED BY: JEFFREY CHINCHILLA, P.E., T.E., CIVIL ENGINEER MICHAEL PLOTNIK, P.E., T.E., CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
SUBJECT: $419,687 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CANNON CORPORATION FOR THE ORANGETHORPE AVENUE AND HARBOR BOULEVARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND SAFETY LIGHTING ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
SUMMARY
Award $419,687 professional engineering services agreement to Cannon Corporation for the Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting Enhancement Project.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve $270,000 Measure M2 Funds (Fund 25) budget transfer and appropriation from Project 46621 Installation of New Traffic Signals and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons to Project 46995 Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting Enhancement Project (Fund 74).
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a $419,687 Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation for the Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting Enhancement Project.
Authorize Director of Administrative Services, or designee, to issue $419,687 purchase order to Cannon Corporation for the Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting Enhancement 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.
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 $3,218,400 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 grant funds and the required $357,600 minimum local funding match for Measure M2 funds on April 15, 2025. This funding would cover eligible activities for project engineering design services, environmental studies, right-of-way, construction and construction management services. The grant, however, limits the amount available for each of the activities with the City responsible for any additional costs. The grant would cover up to $189,000 for engineering design services.
Staff budgeted for the anticipated design scope but needs additional funding to accommodate the proposed consultant fee and provide flexibility if unforeseen design challenges arise during project development. Staff recommends a $270,000 Measure M2 Funds (Fund 25) budget transfer and appropriation from Project 46621 Installation of New Traffic Signals and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons to ensure sufficient funding for the consultant fee, establish adequate contingency and ensure the project can proceed without delay should it require additional design efforts.
Staff attached a budget data sheet for reference (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) improves roadway safety across the country by administering programs like the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). HSIP provides grant funding for projects addressing high-risk areas through data-driven strategies. Cities can secure funding to implement targeted safety enhancements by identifying locations with significant collision patterns.
The City submitted a grant application on September 6, 2024, based on the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) which identified systematic collision patterns along Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard and recommended improvements to address safety issues at the following intersections:
Orangethorpe Avenue at Harbor Boulevard
Orangethorpe Avenue at Euclid Street
Orangethorpe Avenue at Brookhurst Road
Orangethorpe Avenue at Magnolia Avenue
Harbor Boulevard at Commonwealth Avenue
Harbor Boulevard at Chapman Avenue.
The recommended improvements would enhance safety and visibility at major intersections along Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. Key upgrades include additional and properly positioned traffic signal indications, protected left-turn phases, improved safety lighting for pedestrians and cyclists and upgraded signage and striping. These measures would improve visibility, reduce conflicts and enhance multi-modal safety.
The City of Fullerton received a HSIP Cycle 12 grant on February 27, 2025. City Council accepted the grant on April 15, 2025 and allocated $3,218,400 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 grant funds and the required $357,600 Measure M2 funds minimum local funding match.
The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional engineering design services on April 7, 2026 with proposals due May 5, 2026.
The City received nine Statements of Qualifications in response to the RFQ. Public Works engineering staff evaluated proposals and invited three firms to participate in interviews. Evaluation criteria included experience with federally funded HSIP projects, understanding project objectives, project management approach and key personnel qualifications.
Staff scored the applicants and rated Cannon Corporation as the top firm. Cannon Corporation demonstrated extensive experience with HSIP projects, comprehensive understanding of Caltrans Local Assistance procedures and requirements and a strong project team.
Staff subsequently negotiated a detailed scope and fee with Cannon Corporation to perform professional engineering design services, including environmental clearance, plan preparation, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and coordination with Caltrans (Attachment 2) to ensure the project meets all federal requirements. The negotiated fee totals $419,687.
Staff would issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) upon approval. Staff anticipates design phase completion in 12 months, positioning the project to meet the federal funding obligation and proceed to construction in Fiscal Year 2027–28.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Budget Data
Attachment 2 – Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation October 20, 2026 - Page 2