City Council Agenda Report
August 5, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Glen W.C. Kau, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Mario Mera, Engineering Division Manager
Run Chen, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Andrew Del Carpio, Assistant Engineer
Nathan Garcia, Assistant Engineer
SUBJECT: PROJECT NO. 7184 - AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES - STREET DESIGN FOR REHABILITATION OF CARMENITA ROAD FROM ROSECRANS AVENUE TO EXCELSIOR DRIVE – ENGINEERS REPORT NO. 25-16 AND TERMINATE PROJECT NO. 7904
Background:
On August 5, 2014, City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to CNC Engineering to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for the rehabilitation of Carmenita Road from Rosecrans Avenue to the Interstate 5 Freeway (Project No. 7184). The scope of work included pavement analysis, survey services, Americans with Disablity Act (ADA)- compliant curb ramp and bus stop improvements, drainage evaluation, and sidewalk gap closures, with the intent of preparing the corridor for increased traffic volumes anticipated from the future completion of the Carmenita Bridge widening project by Caltrans.
Although the design was finalized by CNC Engineering, the project did not proceed to construction at the time due to budgetary constraints.
Since then, Carmenita Bridge has been completed, resulting in increased traffic volumes and heavier vehicle loads on this section of Carmenita Road. Additionally, the original PS&E package is now over a decade old and does not reflect current field conditions, updated design standards, or the increased traffic impacts observed since the bridge’s completion.
City Council August 5, 2025
Project No. 7184 – Award Agreement and
Terminate Project No. 7904
Page No. 2
This project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations §15301 as a Class 1, Section C categorical exemption (Existing Facilities).
Following the reallocation of Regional Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STPL) funds made available through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) due to Metro’s cancellation of Foster Road Rehabilitation from Studebaker Road to Pioneer Boulevard, Project No. 7904—staff initiated a new Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP was solicited to the City’s pre-qualified on-call design firms to secure updated design services for the Carmenita Road improvements from Rosecrans Avenue to Excelsior Drive under Project No. 7184.
On June 17, 2025, the City received proposals from five firms from pre-qualified engineering firms to provide design services for project No 7184.
Staff examined and reviewed the submitted proposals based on several factors including technical knowledge, the proposed team's experiences, scope of work and qualifications, and fee schedule. The proposals were ranked as follows:
Ranking Consultant
1 Onward Engineering
2 Kimley-Horn Associates
3 Civiltec Engineering Inc.
4 Tait & Associates
5 JMC2
Total Design Budget:
Budget Item Fee
Onward Engineering, Inc. $202,878
Contingency (15%) $30,432
Total Budget $233,310
City Council August 5, 2025
Project No. 7184 – Award Agreement and
Terminate Project No. 7904
Page No. 3
Fiscal Impact:
Project funding is included in the FY 2025/26 budget for a total of $3,669,805, with Proposition C providing $1,192,652 and STP-L funds providing $2,477,153. No additional budget amendment is requested at this time.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended actions will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 2: Invest in Street Infrastructure.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
a. award an agreement to Onward Engineering, Inc. to provide design services in the amount of $202,878 for Project No. 7184; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments provided there is funding in the budget, and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
b. terminate Project No. 7904 – Foster Road Rehabilitation from Studebaker Road to Pioneer Boulevard, and reallocate the remaining balance of $13,385 to the cumulative Proposition C funding.
Attachments:
Onward Engineering, Inc. proposal