CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $953,702 FOR
PROFESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND ENGINEERING
SERVICES TO PREPARE THE COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION
PLAN, CITY PROJECT NO. 26-06
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Engineering Services Department
SUMMARY:
Approval of this Professional Services Agreement will allow the City to proceed with the preparation of the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, City Project No. 26-06 (“Project”).
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. in the amount of $953,702 for professional transportation planning and engineering services to prepare the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; and 2) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
The Public Integrity Disclosure Form from Alta Planning and Design, Inc. (Alta) is included as Attachment A.
BACKGROUND:
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program was established under Section 24112 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The SS4A Program provides funding to support regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to improve roadway safety and reduce traffic related fatalities and serious injuries.
City Council Staff Report
September 9, 2026 -- Page 2
Approve Professional Services Agreement for Comprehensive Safety Action Plan – CP 26-06 The SS4A Program includes both Planning and Demonstration Grants, which fund the development, completion, or supplementation of Comprehensive Safety Action Plans, and Implementation Grants, which fund projects and strategies identified in an adopted Action Plan.
A Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) is a strategic planning document intended to identify roadway safety issues, prioritize projects and strategies, and establish a framework for reducing fatalities and serious injuries for all roadway users, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
The City of Palm Springs currently maintains several planning documents related to transportation and safety, including its 2022 Local Road Safety Plan, 2021 Pedestrian Master Plan, and Traffic Calming Manual. While these documents provide guidance in specific areas, they have not been consolidated into a unified comprehensive safety document that meets current federal SS4A Action Plan requirements.
On May 15, 2024, the City submitted an application to the Federal Highway Administration for SS4A Planning and Demonstration Grant funding to prepare a CSAP.
The City was subsequently awarded $776,000 in federal grant funding under the FY 2024 SS4A Program. The grant requires a local funding match of $194,000, representing twenty percent (20%) of total eligible project costs. Total project funding is $970,000.
On May 12, 2026, the City Council approved an agreement with FHWA to accept the grant funding.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On June 24, 2026, the Engineering Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP 26-06) for professional consulting services for the preparation of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. RFP 26-06 was published on the City’s on-line bid management system, PlanetBids. By the July 20, 2026 deadline, the City received six proposals from the following firms:
Alta Planning & Design, Inc.
CR Associates
Foresite Group, LLC
Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers
Minagar & Associates, Inc.
TJKM
The RFP was written to ensure that the selected firm demonstrated successful experience and capacity to provide the professional services needed for the Project.
City Council Staff Report
September 9, 2026 -- Page 3
Approve Professional Services Agreement for Comprehensive Safety Action Plan – CP 26-06 An evaluation committee consisting of staff from the Engineering Services Department and Sustainability Department reviewed and scored the proposals based on the evaluation criteria established in RFP 26-06. The criteria included firm experience and references, qualifications and experience of the proposed project team, demonstrated understanding of the project and requested scope of work, ability to meet the City’s contractual requirements, and local preference in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
Based on the proposal evaluations, the two highest-ranked firms were invited to participate in interviews. Following the interviews, Alta was determined to be the highest- ranked and most qualified consultant for the Project.
City staff subsequently negotiated the final scope of services and fee with Alta. Staff determined that the proposed fee is fair and reasonable for the requested services and is within the available Project budget.
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with Alta in an amount not to exceed $953,702. A copy of the agreement that incorporates the City’s RFP 26-06 and Alta’s proposal is included as Attachment B.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Public Safety and Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total Project budget is $970,000, consisting of $776,000 in federal SS4A grant funds (80%) and a required local match of $194,000 (20%). The City’s local match will be funded with Measure “J” funds budgeted for the Pedestrian Master Plan.
The proposed Professional Services Agreement with Alta is for an amount not to exceed $953,702 and is within the available Project budget.
City Council Staff Report
September 9, 2026 -- Page 4
Approve Professional Services Agreement for Comprehensive Safety Action Plan – CP 26-06 REVIEWED BY:
City Engineer: Joel Montalvo
Director of Finance & Treasurer: Kristopher J. Mooney
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Public Integrity Disclosure Form
B. Professional Services Agreement – Alta
https://publicportal.palmspringsca.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1466487&dbid =0&repo=CityHall-Primary