City Council Agenda Report
August 18, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Albert Mendoza, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Mario Mera, Engineering Division Manager
Run Chen, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Nathan Garcia, Assistant Engineer
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT NO. 4 – HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT AND FUNDING ADMINISTRATION SERVICES / REOPEN PROJECT NOS. 7228, 7229, AND 7230 FOR FINAL CLOSEOUT SERVICES / RESOLUTION NO. 26-47 BUDGET AMENDMENT, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 26-22
Background:
On March 17, 2020, the City Council approved an Agreement with Avant-Garde to provide program management and federal funding administration services for several traffic safety improvement projects funded through the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycles 6, 7, and 8. These projects support the City's ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety, enhance accessibility, and modernize traffic infrastructure by upgrading traffic signal hardware, optimizing signal timing coordination, installing pedestrian countdown signal heads, reconstructing Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps, and improving roadway signage and striping.
The original Agreement with Avant-Garde was approved for a total amount of $201,139. As the projects are federally funded, they require strict compliance with Caltrans and federal requirements throughout project delivery. Avant-Garde provides specialized expertise in managing these complex administrative requirements, including preparing and submitting authorization requests, coordinating required documentation, administering reimbursement requests for eligible project costs, and preparing final project closeout packages in accordance with Caltrans requirements. These services help ensure the City remains eligible for federal reimbursement, maintains compliance with grant requirements, and minimizes the administrative burden on City staff.
City Council August 18, 2026
Avant-Garde Amendment No. 4, HSIP Cycle 6 Project
Reopening, and Resolution No. 26-47
Page No. 2
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Since the Agreement was approved, Avant-Garde has successfully supported the delivery of eight traffic signal improvement projects under HSIP Cycles 6, 7, and 8. Through their expertise in federal funding administration and close coordination with Caltrans, the consultant has helped the City secure and receive more than $16 million in federal reimbursement for eligible project costs. Their continued assistance has been instrumental in advancing critical transportation safety improvements while maximizing external funding and reducing the City's financial responsibility for these capital projects.
On December 16, 2025, City Council accepted the construction work for Project No. 7229 – Traffic Signal Improvements Along Studebaker Road from Rosecrans Avenue to Alondra Boulevard. The project, along with Project Nos. 7228 and 7230, were completed as part of HSIP Cycle 6. Due to contractor-caused compliance deficiencies and legal disputes regarding overcharges by the construction management firm, Avant-Garde was required to provide additional project management and grant compliance services beyond the original scope of work to address the issues, maintain compliance with federal funding requirements, and support the successful delivery of the project.
Following acceptance of Project No. 7229, all three HSIP Cycle 6 projects were administratively closed. Subsequent to project acceptance, Avant-Garde completed additional close-out-related services, including preparation of reimbursement invoices for submission to Caltrans.
Because the projects have been administratively closed, outstanding invoices submitted to the City cannot be processed for payment. Accordingly, staff recommend reopening Project Nos. 7228, 7229, and 7230 to complete final consultant payments and conclude all remaining closeout activities as part of HSIP Cycle 6.
Throughout the duration of the Agreement, additional services were requested to ensure proper and timely reimbursement of federal funds for HSIP Cycles 6, 7, and 8. To date, three amendments have been fully executed for additional compensation of $312,000. Currently, Avant-Garde is providing services for Cycle 7 (Project Nos. 7232, 7233, and 7234) as the projects reach the close-out phase, and Cycle 8 (Project Nos. 7237, 7238, 7239, and 7240) as the projects proceed with construction start. To ensure the continued support of services throughout the duration of the Agreement, staff recommend entering into Amendment No. 4 with Avant-Garde in the amount of $100,000.
Fiscal Impact:
Resolution No. 26-47 includes an appropriation in the amount of $100,000 Street Renovation funds to support the above services.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
City Council August 18, 2026
Avant-Garde Amendment No. 4, HSIP Cycle 6 Project
Reopening, and Resolution No. 26-47
Page No. 3
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Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended actions will further the City’s 2023 Strategic Plan, Goal 2 Work in Partnership with Our Community to Achieve Safe and Livable Neighborhoods, Object 1, Re-invest in existing and aging infrastructure.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council:
a. adopt Resolution No. 26-47, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27
ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE STREET RENOVATION FUNDS TO HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CYCLES 6, 7, AND 8 – PROJECT NOS. 7228, 7229, 7230, 7232, 7233, 7234, 7237, 7238, 7239, AND 7240, in the amount of $100,000; and
b. reopen Project Nos. 7228, 7229, and 7230 to complete final project close-out activities, including payment of outstanding invoices to Avant-Garde; and c. approve Amendment No. 4 with Avant-Garde to provide additional program management and funding administration services in the amount of $100,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 26-47