STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
July 21, 2026
CONSENT
10 SUBJECT: AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR DESIGN OF PERMANENT LIFEGUARD TOWERS
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to award a task order with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for design engineering services for the Permanent Lifeguard Tower Program in the amount of $280,791;
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and change orders for additional design-related services that may be required in an amount not to exceed $28,000; and
3. Find that the action consists of government activities, which do not result in a direct or indirect physical change in environment and therefore does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council authorize a Task Order with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Stantec) in the amount of $280,791 for design engineering services for the City’s Permanent Lifeguard Tower Program and approve a not-to-exceed $28,000 contingency for additional design-related services.
Stantec’s proposal includes preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates for the installation of permanent lifeguard towers on caissons at 39 locations citywide, together with coastal hazard analyses and structural designs.
In July 2025, City Council directed staff to evaluate the feasibility of installing enclosed lifeguard towers to enhance public safety and provide more effective, secure, and weather-resistant work environments for lifeguards. As part of that effort, a geotechnical study was prepared by Engeo in January 2026 to support evaluation of feasible tower locations and foundation considerations. Stantec’s scope of work will build on the geotechnical report and preliminary coastal engineering recommendations prepared by Engeo to include final engineering designs for all permanent lifeguard tower locations.
This project will enhance beach safety, support Marine Safety operations, and improve long-term resilience and functionality of lifeguard facilities along the City’s coastline. The construction and implementation of the permanent lifeguard towers will be implemented over multiple fiscal years as funding becomes available.
DISCUSSION
The City is advancing the Permanent Lifeguard Tower Program to provide 39 permanent lifeguard observation tower improvements at identified beach locations throughout Laguna Beach (Attachment 1).
The proposed scope includes project management and coordination, field assessments, environmental entitlements, preliminary engineering, coastal hazards analysis, and preparation of final plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates. The proposed permanent lifeguard towers will be supported by reinforced concrete pile (caisson) foundations drilled into bedrock to provide long-term structural
AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR DESIGN OF PERMANENT LIFEGUARD TOWERS July 21, 2026
stability in the dynamic coastal environment. During the design phase, site-specific engineering will be completed to determine the appropriate foundation depth, bedrock embedment, structural design requirements, and construction means or methods for each tower location. Utility designs are not included in the scope of work; any communication or information technology items will be separately addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Lifeguard tower foundation designs will be developed using a geotechnical study previously prepared by EnGeo in addition to site-specific geotechnical investigations as needed including wave force analyses, soil analyses, and reviews of individual site conditions. The EnGeo study also included analyses of construction means and methods which will be factored into future construction bid documents. The final designs will include structural calculations, material specifications, inspection requirements, and construction details.
The permanent foundation system is intended to provide a durable and resilient support structure capable of accommodating the dynamic coastal environment, including tides, seasonal sand fluctuations, scour conditions, and long-term changes in beach elevation and shoreline conditions. To date, permanent enclosed lifeguard towers have been installed at ten beaches including most recently at Moss Beach and Anita Beach as part of the beach access improvements, and staff will pursue similar opportunities at future beach access projects.
The proposed program includes 39 lifeguard tower locations and is anticipated to be implemented over multiple fiscal years, subject to available funding. Construction is expected to be phased, with an estimated 3 to 5 towers completed annually. As part of this project, enclosed towers on skids have already been placed at Shaw’s Cove and 9th and 10th Street Beaches with the use of a barge. Those towers are still scheduled to be made permanent as part of this project. Stantec’s proposed fee for the base scope of services is $280,791.
Staff solicited proposals from three On-Call consultants for professional design and engineering services. Proposals were received as follows:
On-Call Consultant Total Proposal Amount
1. Stantec $280,791
2. Dokken $306,960
3. Mark Thomas Declined to propose
Following review of the proposals, staff determined that Stantec was the most qualified firm to perform the required work. Stantec’s proposal demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the project requirements, including preparation of plans and specifications, coastal hazard assessments, structural foundation design, permitting support, and cost estimating. The consultant brings significant experience in the planning and design of coastal and marine infrastructure, as well as familiarity with the City’s standards, procedures, environmental entitlements. Stantec has successfully supported the City on prior projects, including the Moss Point Beach Access Rehabilitation Project which included a permanent lifeguard tower design, and the Cleo Street Beach Access Stairs Replacement project, positioning the firm to effectively deliver the proposed services. Stantec’s proposed fee for the scope of services is $280,791.
Procurement Authority:
Stantec is under an approved On-Call Consultant Agreement (Contract No. 26-179). The requested fee
AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR DESIGN OF PERMANENT LIFEGUARD TOWERS July 21, 2026
exceeds $100,000 and therefore requires City Council approval pursuant to Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 2.30.030.
Contingency:
In addition to the task order amendment amount, it is recommended to authorize the City Manager to approve change orders for additional design-related services that may be required in an amount not-toexceed $28,000 for this project. Due to the unique topographical and tidal conditions at each beach location, additional site investigations and geotechnical analyses may be required.
Schedule:
The project proposes installing 39 lifeguard towers on permanent caissons over multiple years subject to available funding, tower procurement (towers take several months to fabricate), accessibility for installations (barge, crane, etc.) and limited construction windows for installations. Final engineering designs will be completed by Stantec in six months including environmental entitlements following by construction bidding to install the first several towers based on Marine Safety’s priority levels. These towers are located at Aliso Beach, Table Rock South, Picnic Beach, Victoria Beach, and Shaw’s Cove. Approximately five towers will be installed annually during subsequent years as programmed in future Capital Improvement budgets.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Funding for the design and engineering phase is included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget. The project currently has approximately $471,521 in available funding, with an additional $250,000 budgeted in Fiscal Year 2027–28 to support project contingencies and initial construction activities. No additional appropriation is needed at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended actions consist of organizational or administrative activities of the City that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b)(5)). The award of a task order for design services for lifeguard tower improvements is for design services only, and any future actual improvements will be subject to independent environmental review under CEQA at the time entitlements for those improvements are applied for. Approving the funding for design services only, which may or may not result in an application for improvements that will be subject to independent environmental review in the future is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific projects.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Lifeguard Towers Map (Pg. 5)
2. Proposal (Stantec) (Pgs. 6-16)
Submitted By: Mark McAvoy Approved: .David A Kiff
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR DESIGN OF PERMANENT LIFEGUARD TOWERS July 21, 2026
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Yun-Yun Lee, Project Manager Pierre Sawaya, Capital Program Manager Thomas Perez, City Engineer
Kai Bond, Marine Safety Chief