BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
BKF Proposal
October 30, 2025
Ms. Alpha Santos-Guinto
Project Manager
Public Works and Utilities Department
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Subject: Fisherman’s Cove Beach Accessway Improvement Project Dear Ms. Santos-Guinto:
Thank you for your request for this proposal for the preparation of 60%-level plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for improvements to the existing beach accessway between Cliff Drive and Fisherman’s Cove Beach located in the City of Laguna Beach (City), California.
Understanding
The Fisherman’s Cove Beach Accessway consists of an initial 20-foot long stairway that starts at the top of the bluff on the southerly side of Cliff Drive. The stairway progresses through a significant drop in elevation. At the bottom of the stairway the accessway proceeds along an asphalt paved walkway for approximately 15 feet.
Another stairway of approximately 10 feet in length is then reached the bottom of this stairway, then proceeds to another asphalt paved walkway that is approximately 30 feet in length. This walkway joins a final stairway that leads to a concrete paved walkway that ramps downward to the beach. Along this final section, three private stairways from private properties to the north land onto the ramp.
In their existing state, the stairways are in serviceable condition with minor spalling and surface cracking. The asphalt walkways, however, show signs of weathering including significant longitudinal and transvers cracking of the surface. Furthermore, the length of the initial stairway from Cliff Drive presents a safety issue with respect to its lack of an intermediate landing. The stairway tread depth and rise height may also be out of compliance with current building codes.
The accessway is offset approximately 5 feet to the north from the face of an existing apartment structure.
Within the offset area, the slope has been paved with concrete and serves to convey storm water runoff parallel to the accessway’s stairways and walkways. At the bottom of the lowest stairway, the concrete lining merges with the concrete paved walkway that ramps downward to the beach. While the concrete surface is slightly depressed to convey water, it is likely that the walkway is inundated by flows from the concrete lined slope during significant storm events.
The condition of the asphalt paved walkways, the concerns over the length of the upper stairway, and the potential for the inundation of the lower walkway by storm water all indicate that the accessway should undergo improvements to correct these issues. Given that there is evidence of underground sewer and storm Attachment 3
14 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
drain facilities, these existing utilities will need to be accommodated by the proposed accessway improvements. This proposal will provide for the preparation of 60%-level PS&E documents for the project for the review by the Planning Commission.
Project Key Issues
Understanding and managing the key project issues will be critical to the success of this design assignment.
We have visited the project site and reviewed the available project data to familiarize ourselves with the existing conditions. We have identified the following issues that will need special attention during the course of the project.
Boundary Survey – Based on BKF’s initial site visit and mapping research, it appears that the existing accessway is within a recorded easement area. However, the proposed boundary survey that is included in this proposal is required to confirm this observation. BKF will analyze the boundary situation as developed from the boundary survey and provide alternatives and recommendations to the City to remedy any identified boundary issues.
Design for the Coastal Environment – Our engineering Team has experience in designing structures in the corrosive coastal environment. Our structural designers have experience working in similar ocean-close conditions with coastal bluff soils, sand excavation, dewatering, shoring, concrete admixtures for chloride protection, epoxy rebar, epoxy coatings, stainless steel hardware, and special safety requirements.
Multiple Stakeholder Considerations – BKF has experience in developing engineered solutions that address the concerns of multiple stakeholders. It is critical to the Project that consideration is given to the following stakeholders in order to design a successful project:
- Adjacent Property Owners
- City Residents and Public Visitors
- City of Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department
- City of Laguna Beach Local Coastal Program
Drainage – BKF has its own in-house water resources group, experts in water quality, drainage, and groundwater management. Currently, drainage running along the accessway inundates the lower walkway area during moderate to severe storm events. The inundated walkway surface presents a safety hazard due to the potential for slipping on the wet surface. Our design will improve the existing access drainage conditions by safely conveying drainage away from the proposed stairways, walkways, and landings.
Enhanced Aesthetics – The natural coastal bluff beauty must be preserved and protected. BKF will design a stairway system that maintains the natural aesthetic of its seaside bluff setting. BKF will present recommendations that will enhance the site with materials and native landscaping.
Project Approach
The key element in the management of the project will be to assign experienced staff who will advance the design efficiently. With this in mind, BKF has assembled a project team who can fulfill these goals. The core BKF team will be comprised of experienced individuals who will be dedicated to the assignment from start to 15 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
finish participating in all aspects of the work including, but not limited to: data collection, boundary and design surveys, civil design, utility coordination, construction documents and plans, value engineering, specifications and cost estimate preparation.
BKF’s approach will be a systematic design process and will include communications with City staff throughout the project. The project will commence with setting a planning team orientation and coordination meeting with the City’s Project Manager. We will insure all program elements, issues, and needs will be addressed. At this meeting, the recommended list of improvements for the beach accessway will be discussed and refined.
We will next conduct site analyses and research and do an inventory of existing conditions to provide a thorough site evaluation. BKF will also perform an evaluation of the existing walls to determine the viability of their continued use for the proposed design. BKF surveyors will perform an accurate topographic and boundary survey. At this time, we will coordinate with the City to provide any additional as-built plans for the beach access and underlying utilities in order to prepare an accurate detailed base map that portrays existing grades, utilities and other related site features. This Preliminary Phase of the work is instrumental in confirming design objectives and bringing to light project opportunities for cost savings.
BKF will then generate a preliminary, 30%-level design for the proposed accessway improvements. The developed design will be reviewed with City staff to gain their input and recommendations. The final 30%-level configuration will be based on the incorporation of the City’s input and comments. Following the establishment of the accessway’s footprint, esthetic elements will be incorporated to create an aesthetically pleasing and safe public beach accessway.
Managing the storm water run-off from the accessway and the adjacent areas will be addressed in our overall design. A drainage system, which includes inlets, drain pipes, and/or swales will be implemented to safely convey and dispose of the surface water run-off. This drainage system will prevent any potential erosion of the coastal bluff area. The repair or stabilization of areas that have experienced past erosion will be included in the design of the proposed improvements.
Our design effort will include value engineering analyses that will identify both design and construction alternatives that may be employed to reduce project costs and eliminate potential conflicts between the proposed improvements, existing site improvements, adjacent properties, and utilities. Our major focus and consideration in the rehabilitation of the accessway will be project value, design life, and the safety of the beachgoers that will be using this accessway for years to come.
After the development of the 30%-level plans, BKF will advance the plans to a 60%-level of completion. The 60%-level plans will include quantity and cost estimates and a draft specification package. Specialized support services such as geotechnical investigations, landscape architectures, structural analyses, electrical design services, and utility potholing will be performed in a subsequent final design phase of the project.
We believe our team is best qualified to provide professional services for the City and its residents. We will be both time efficient and cost effective while creating bold and memorable design solutions. Our team has many years of expertise in similar parks, trails and recreational facilities projects and understands the design process. BKF is committed to providing the City of Laguna Beach with outstanding design solutions that integrate sustainable practices and green infrastructure. 16 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
Staffing
BKF has assigned a qualified team of experts to provide the services describe in this proposal. Or team will be structured as indicted in the organizational chart below.
PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART
City of Laguna Beach
Project Executive
Roger Chung, PE
Project Manager
Roger Chung, PE
QA/QC Reviewer
Phil Jones, PE
Civil Layout & Design
Daniel Villines, PE
Hydrology & Hydraulics
Daniel David
PS&E Documents
Robin Hayes, PE
Scope of Work
1. Project Management and Data Collection
BKF will provide project management services throughout the duration of the project. These services will include preparing agendas for meetings, preparing meeting minutes, and participating in voice and e-mail communications to facilitate progress. This task will also include the preparation and maintenance of a project schedule. The schedule will be updated at key project milestones to reflect progress towards project completion. As a part of this task, BKF will perform general data collection activities that will include obtaining and reviewing project information from the City. It is anticipated that this information will include improvement plans for Cliff Drive and relevant development plans for the general area.
2. Topographic Survey
BKF will provide a topographic mapping survey for the proposed beach accessway improvements.
Existing ground will be mapped by means of digital laser scanning. Key features along the existing accessway will be captured. Control data will be assembled and established for the project area. This 17 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
survey will include the ground surface and any visible surface utilities and features. The survey will also include elevation data pertaining to the tops and faces of the existing walls. The survey data from the field will be down loaded and compiled to create topographic map of the area, including surface features, culture and contours for design purposes. The final map will be at a scale of 1" = 10' with 1' contours.
3. Boundary Survey and Record of Survey
BKF will perform a boundary survey of the access corridor. The survey will include the acquisition of a title report for the property to ascertain the recorded location and configuration of the corridor boundaries. BKF survey crews will proceed to perform a boundary survey in the field consisting of locating corner monuments and comparing the survey data to the title report data. Upon completion of the boundary survey, BKF will prepare a legal description and plat map for the corridor. BKF will also file a Record-of-Survey (ROS) and Corner Records with the County of Orange and process these documents for approval and recordation. The completed boundary survey information will be included in the improvement plans to identify the limits of the available right-of-way.
4. Utility Search and Coordination
BKF will identify public and private utilities within the project limits. BKF will then request utility maps and send out utility verification and information requests depicting the proposed improvements. A copy of all utility notifications and requests will be provided to the City. BKF will then prepare a utility base map depicting all existing utilities found within Project limits based on the collected information.
Utilities that are identified as a part of this task will be depicted in plan, profile, and detail sheets prepared during the preparation of the plans.
5. 30%-Level Design Development
Based on the survey data, field reviews, and as-built utility information, BKF will develop an initial 30%- level layout of the proposed accessway improvements. The design will include recommendations pertaining to surface treatments and landscaping as required to convey the aesthetics of the proposed alternative. BKF will review the 30%-level plan with the City and incorporate comments from that review into a final 30%-level plan which will be submitted to the City for their final concurrence. The final 30%- level layout will serve as the basis-of-design for the 60%-level PS&E documents.
6. Draft 60%-Level Plans, Specifications, and Estimates Upon approval 30%-level layout of the proposed accessway improvements, BKF will prepare draft 60%- level PS&E documents. A Precise Grading Plan will be prepared at 1”=10’ to show the proposed stairways, walkways, hardscape improvements, and drainage improvements. The plan will include slope cuts and/or retaining structures. The improvements will be contained within the boundaries of the existing access corridor right-of-way as determined by the boundary survey. Cross sections and details will be prepared as required to define construction requirements. Safety lighting (if desired) will be shown on this plan, assuming that the existing power source for this site is adequate and identified by the City. Retaining wall layout (if required) will use standard City, Caltrans, or APWA wall details. The use of retaining walls will include the preparation of a wall plans and profiles. This task includes the preparation of draft 18 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
specifications based on the City’s standard boilerplate bid documents. This task also includes quantity and cost estimate for the proposed improvements. Specialized support services such as geotechnical investigations, landscape architectures, structural analyses, electrical design services, and utility potholing will be performed in a subsequent final design phase of the project.
7. Final 60%-Level Plans, Specifications, and Estimates Upon receipt of comments from the City on the draft 60%-level PS&E documents, BKF will prepare the final 60%-level PS&E package. The final 60%-level plans, specifications and estimates will be submitted to the City. All documents will be stamped with the notation stating “60% Submittal, Not for Construction.” The final submittal package will be ready for advancement to 100%-level, final advertisement and public bid documents.
8. Reimbursable Expenses
This task provides for reimbursable expenses such as travel costs, plotting and printing costs, messenger service costs, and equipment costs as required to complete the Project.
Optional Tasks
A. Geotechnical Investigation and Reporting
BKF’s geotechnical subconsultant, Stoney-Miller Consultants, Inc. (SM), will conduct a geotechnical investigation of the accessway alignment and bluff area. The investigation will include a background geotechnical review of readily available geotechnical reports from nearby and adjacent projects, regional geologic maps, in-house aerial photographs, and in-house geotechnical maps. The investigation will also include a subsurface geotechnical evaluation consisting of up to four hand augured drill holes of up to 20 feet in depth or to the point of refusal. SM will collect relatively undisturbed and bulk samples of the existing materials encountered in the borings and will evaluate the samples to determine the engineering characteristics of the on-site materials. SM will summarize their findings in a Geotechnical Report that will include evaluations of site seismicity and corrosion potential of concrete and metal in contact with onsite soils.
B. CEQA Document Preparation
BKF’s environmental subconsultant, LSA, will prepare a project description defining the proposed project. The Project Description will be used in preparation of the technical analyses and Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The following technical analyses will be prepared:
• Air Quality/Greenhouse Emission/Energy Analysis
• Biological Resources Analysis
• Cultural Resources Analysis
• Noise and Vibration Analysis – Construction Noise Analysis 19 BKF Engineers | 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 400 | Newport Beach, CA | 92660 | 949.526.8460
LSA will then prepare a Screencheck Draft IS/MND and submit the document to the City for review. If based on the technical analyses, the proposed project may result in an impact that cannot be reduced to a less than significant level, LSA will immediately apprise the City of the issue and work proactively with City staff to identify: (1) additional measures, project changes, or design features that may reduce the potential impacts to a less than significant level, or (2) the most expedient method of providing appropriate environmental clearance under CEQA.
Once the Screencheck Draft IS has been approved by the City. LSA will prepare the draft IS/MND for public review and a Notice of Completion (NOC) to the State Clearinghouse and file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the County Clerk of the Board. Written responses to comments received on the Draft IS/MND during the public review period will be prepared and any revisions to the IS/MND will be summarized in a memorandum or marked int eh text by a line in the margin. Following the City’s approval of the IS/MND, LSA will prepare and file a Notice of Determination (NOD) with the Orange County Clerk of the Board.
This task also include assistance to the City to complete a Costal Development Permit (CDP) application for the proposed project.
Fee Table
A work Fee Table, including staff classifications and their hourly rates, is attached to this proposal. The fee table provides the total fee for each task as well as the total fee for the Project. It is hereby noted that our geotechnical subconsultant will require a retainer as noted on the Feet Table. Should their optional services be selected by the City, the retainer will be invoiced to the City upon receipt of the notice to proceed with geotechnical services.
Fee Table
A work Fee Table, including staff classifications and their hourly rates, is attached to this proposal. The fee table provides the total fee for each task as well as the total fee for the Project.
Please contact me at (949) 526-8457 if you have any questions or need any clarifications.
Sincerely,
BKF Engineers
Roger Chung, PE
Associate Principal, Regional Manager
Attachments: Fee Table
20 FEE TABLE
21 AP SPM SPE DE SC CM Expenses
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs Fees hrs Fess
1. Project Management and Data Collection 32 32 $8,640 32 $8,640
2. Topographic Survey 8 4 12 12 36 $7,316 36 $7,316
3. Boundary Survey and Record of Survey 8 8 8 8 32 $6,752 $1,500 32 $8,252
4. Utility Search and Coordination 2 4 24 30 $5,452 30 $5,452
5. 30%-Level Design Development 4 4 40 48 $10,932 48 $10,932
6. Draft 60%-Level Plans, Specifications, and Estimates 4 4 80 8 96 $21,076 96 $21,076
7. Final 60%-Level Plans, Specifications, and Estimates 2 4 40 46 $10,392 46 $10,392
8. Reimbursable Expenses 0 $0 $500 0 $500
44 28 176 32 20 20 320 320
$11,880 $7,364 $38,720 $5,376 $4,400 $2,820 $70,560 $2,000 $72,560 RATES ($/Hr): $270 $263 $220 $168 $220 $141
AP SPM SPE DE SC CM Expenses
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs Fees hrs Fess
A. Geotechnical Investigation and Reporting [Stoney-Miller Consultants] $10,300 $10,300 B. CEQA Document Preparation [LSA] $47,000 $47,000
Note: Selection of Optional Task A will require a payment of $5,150 in advance of the work. BKF will invoice this amount to the City for payment upon receipt of the NTP for Optional Task A.
Classification Descriptions:
AP = Associate Principal
SPM = Senior Project Manager
SPE = Senior Project Engineer
DE = Design Engineer
SC = Survey Chief
CM = Survey Chainman
Task Total
GRAND TOTAL HOURS
BKF ENGINEERS
Task Description
Total Fees Task Total
OPTIONAL TASKS
City of Laguna Beach
Fisherman’s Cove Beach Accessway Improvement Project
ESTIMATED FEES & EXPENSES
Task Description
Total Fees
BKF ENGINEERS
GRAND TOTAL FEES
K:\2023\230465_Laguna_Beach_2023-2026_On-Call\P05_Fishermans_Cove_Beach_Access\LB_Fishermans_Cove_103025s_Fee_WBS_R2.xls 10/30/2025 22