STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
May 26, 2026
CONSENT
8 SUBJECT: AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE STATION 4 RETAINING WALL, CIP 22-9875
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Voltaire Engineering in the amount of $1,499,266, for the construction of the Fire Station 4 retaining wall at 31796 S Coast Highway;
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and contract change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $150,000; and
3. Find that the project was previously evaluated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) through adoption of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2022090383), adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2022.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council award a construction contract to Voltaire Engineering in the amount of $1,499,266 for the construction of a retaining wall at 31796 S Coast Highway.
The project cost is within the approved Fire Station 4 project budget of approximately $9.3 million. Staff also recommends authorization of a $150,000 contingency for unforeseen field conditions and related change orders. Construction of the retaining wall will allow the City to advance site preparation activities while final architectural and site design for the fire station building are completed, and the building construction contractor prequalification process is conducted.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2022090383) was prepared and adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2022.
DISCUSSION
Background and Project Need
The City of Laguna Beach has an approved Design Review 25-0261, Coastal Development Permit 25-0260, Conditional Use Permit 25-0262, and Sign Permit 25-0401 (Entitlements) to construct a new fire station at 31796 S Coast Highway. The Entitlements include the construction of a retaining wall along the perimeter of the proposed fire station site. The proposed scope of work under this proposed contract will include clearing and grubbing, grading, shoring, drilling caissons, and constructing a soldier pile and wood lagging retaining wall with shotcrete surface. The wall construction is scheduled to last four months.
While the retaining wall construction is taking place, the City’s consultant, PBK, will finalize the building and site design with Planning Commission consideration of final material selections having occurred last week at the May 20, 2026, Planning Commission meeting. Staff will also conduct a prequalification process AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE STATION 4 RETAINING WALL, CIP 22-9875
May 26, 2026
to ensure only qualified bidders with experience in fire station construction are able to bid on the project.
This will ensure a contractor specialized in constructing this type of facility is selected. The pre-qualification process will take approximately 2-3 months to conduct. It will be mandatory that all Contractors (Class “B” General Contractors only) who intend to submit a bid on the fire station building, fully complete the prequalification questionnaire and be approved by the City to be on the final qualified bidders list. Following the completion of the pre-qualification process, the pre-qualified list will be included in the project specifications. No bid will be accepted from a Contractor that was not pre-qualified.
Bid Process and Contractor Selection
Staff completed a public bid process for the project in accordance with California Public Contract Code requirements. On May 8, 2026, fifteen (15) bids were received. Twelve (12) were deemed responsive and responsible and are listed below by bid amount:
Table of Bid Results
Bidder Bid Amount
1. Marjani Builders, Inc $912,000
2. Estate Design and Construction $985,000
3. Premo Construction $1,229,140
4. Voltaire Engineering $1,499,266
5. Orangeblue General Contractors $1,549,700
6. Bosco Constructors, Inc. $1,602,231.70
7. Diamond Construction $1,626,768
8. Loghmani & Associates Design Group, Inc $1,788,613.75
9. Wright Construction Engineering Corp. $1,873,335
10. US Builders & Consultants $1,878,400
11. Ortiz & Sons, Inc. $2,116,061
12. Beador Construction Company, Inc. $2,150,700
13. GMZ Engineering Inc $2,240,000
14. CT&T Concrete Paving Inc. $2,261,458
15. Deark E&C, Inc $2,636,000
While reviewing the bid submittals, bidders 1, 2, and 3 had material errors or omissions that rendered their bids nonresponsive. Following a review of the remaining bids, staff determined that the apparent lower bidder, Voltaire Engineering, is qualified, properly licensed, and their bid was determined to be responsive and responsible. Voltaire Engineering has successfully completed similar projects for other municipalities in Southern California. Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Voltaire Engineering in the amount of $1,499,266 (Attachment 1). The estimate of probable cost prepared by PBK Architects was $1,750,000. Therefore, staff feels the proposed contract amount of $1,499,266 is fair and reasonable. It is also recommended that funding be provided to cover change orders due to unforeseen conditions. These costs are not expected to exceed $150,000; therefore, it is recommended that the City Manager be authorized to approve change orders for unforeseen circumstances in the amount not to exceed $150,000. Construction AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE STATION 4 RETAINING WALL, CIP 22-9875
May 26, 2026
is anticipated to begin in July and be completed by November 2026.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
There is an available budget of approximately $9,000,000 for the project. No additional appropriation is requested.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2022090383) was prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which analyzed the Project for any potential environmental impacts.
A Final MND was prepared incorporating public comments received after the conclusion of public review comment period for the Draft MND and adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2022. Based on the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, and evidence contained in supplemental reports and documents, it has been determined that the Project would not have a significant effect on the environment with the incorporation of Project mitigation measures.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Construction Contract with Voltaire Engineering (Pgs. 4-8) Submitted By: Mark McAvoy Approved: .David A Kiff
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Thomas Perez, City Engineer