CPMS
Agenda Item A.3
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Luz “Nina” Buelna, Director of Public Works PREPARED BY: Arielle Bradford, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Authorization to Advertise for Bids for the Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Project
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize staff to advertise a notice inviting construction bids for the Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Project.
BACKGROUND:
A series of winter storms occurring from January through March of 2023 caused damage throughout the City of Goleta. Erosion damaged two locations along the Ellwood Mesa Bluffs, triggering an emergency project to repair the erosion. The project location is shown in Attachment 1 . Additionally, the project seeks to mitigate any future erosion damage by regrading the trails to redirect flows and enhance infiltration. These areas experience frequent pedestrian use and are currently closed to the public due to the erosion damage.
On July 31, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with RRM Design Group (RRM) to begin design work following the winter storms. As the project developed, changes to the scope required additional design services. On May 2, 2025, the City entered into a project- specific agreement with RRM to complete the design. Rincon Consultants, Inc. initially provided permitting support through the City’s storm response on -call agreement. On August 14, 2025, the City entered into a project -specific agreement with Rincon to continue permitting support for the project.
DISCUSSION:
Per Section 3.05.210(A), City Council authorization is required prior to publication of a Notice Inviting Bids. To improve efficiency and reduce avoidable delays, the Public Works Department is requesting authorization to advertise bids earlier in the project lifecycle.
This approach reflects current project delivery practices for capital projects and allows staff to advance projects toward construction while design refinements and internal reviews are finalized.
1 Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Final plans and specifications will be presented to the City Council for adoption after the bidding process, when documents are complete and responsive to any necessary revisions i dentified during that period. This sequencing avoids the need to return to Council with interim or placeholder documents that may change prior to award. This action authorizes bid advertisements only and does not approve a construction contract or commit t he City to construction expenditures at this time. The project is tentatively scheduled to be advertised for bids in fall 2026.
The Coastal Development Permit application with the California Coastal Commission is currently in process.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The Engineer’s Estimate for construction is approximately $400,000. The remaining funds within the construction budget are for construction support costs. The project is funded by the General Fund through a carryover from the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 shows the total estimated project costs and funding sources.
Table 1. Project Cost Estimates for the Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Project
Project
Components
Estimated
Costs
Fund Available
Funding
Preliminary Design
and Environmental $44,000 General Fund (101) $605,496
Design $91,398
Construction $430,098
Staff Time $40,000
Total: $605,496 Total: $605,496
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to authorize staff to advertise for construction bids for the Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Project. Doing so would delay the project schedule and construction.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Location Map
2 ATTACHMENT 1
Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Location Map
3 Attachment 1 - Ellwood Mesa Trail Erosion Repair Location Map 4