CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A CULTURAL MONITORING AGREEMENT WITH THE
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,358.40 FOR THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
CYCLE 9 TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS, CITY PROJECT NO. 18- 05, FEDERAL-AID PROJECT NO. HSIPLN-5282(049)
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Engineering Services Department
SUMMARY:
Approval of this agreement with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Tribe) will provide cultural monitoring during ground disturbing work at Tahquitz Canyon Way and Calle Encilia for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 9 Traffic Signal Modifications, City Project No. 18-05, Federal-Aid Project No. HSIPLN-5282(049), (“the Project”).
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve a cultural monitoring agreement with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, in the amount of $13,358.40;
2) Delegate authority to the City Manager or designee to approve and execute the cultural monitoring agreement and amendments for additional monitoring services up to a total amount of $5,000, with all amendments reported to the City Council; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents.
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the City submitted to Caltrans an application for Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 9 funds to upgrade nine (9) traffic signal intersections with the latest in traffic safety equipment, including installation of dilemma detection, protected left-turn phasing, pedestrian countdown timers, upgraded pedestrian push buttons, and upgrading of ADA curb ramps.
City Council Staff Report
October 14, 2026 -- Page 2
Cultural Monitoring Agreement for HSIP Cyle 9, City Project 18-05 On December 27, 2018, the City was awarded $1,702,700 in HSIP funds, with no required local match. Caltrans later approved an additional $162,900, bringing the total grant award to $1,865,600.
Between October 2024 and May 2025, City staff coordinated with Caltrans to reduce the Project scope from nine intersections to seven to fit available funding. The revised scope includes dilemma zone detection, protected left turn phasing, and pedestrian countdown timers. The seven intersections are:
1. Tahquitz Canyon Way / Calle Encilia
2. East Palm Canyon Drive / Escoba Drive / South Araby Drive
3. Ramon Road / Avenida Caballeros
4. Ramon Road / Compadre Road
5. Farrell Drive / Via Escuela
6. Indian Canyon Drive / 20th Avenue
7. Sunrise Way / Alejo Road
On August 27, 2025, the revised construction documents were completed, and the Project was re-advertised for bids.
On October 22, 2025, the City Council awarded a $954,970 construction contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc.; approved a professional services agreement for $324,989.10 with Z&K Consultants for construction management, inspection, and materials testing; and approved a $76,789.31 amendment to Agreement No. A8620 with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for additional design services.
On April 23, 2026, following potholing to confirm pole locations and clearing of utilities, long-lead traffic signal materials were immediately ordered and construction put on pause. Remaining work could only be completed once the material is on-site. Materials are expected to be delivered in early November, at which time work will resume.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Given the culturally sensitive area at the Tahquitz Canyon Way and Calle Encilia intersection and its proximity to recorded cultural sites, the purpose of this agreement is to formalize procedures for the monitoring of ground disturbing activities and associated treatment of Native American human remains, as well as associated grave and cultural items, in the event any are discovered during earthwork/ground disturbance activities in conjunction with the development of the project area shown in Figure 1 on the following page. The Project construction is expected to resume in November 2026, upon receiving all long-lead time materials.
The agreement estimates 11 eight-hour monitoring days at $132 per hour, plus a 15% administrative fee, for a total of $13,358.40. The Tribe will bill for actual services on a time and materials basis. The proposed $5,000 amendment authority would address additional City Council Staff Report
October 14, 2026 -- Page 3
Cultural Monitoring Agreement for HSIP Cyle 9, City Project 18-05 monitoring if the duration or scope of ground disturbing work changes. Staff recommends approval of the cultural monitoring agreement to allow for construction to proceed at the Tahquitz Canyon Way & Calle Encilia site.
Figure 1
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”, Class 1 projects consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Therefore, Staff has determined that the Highway Safety Improvement Program (Cycle 9), Federal-Aid Project No. HSIPLN-5282(049), City Project No. 18-05, is considered categorically exempt from CEQA. The Project is also subject to environmental pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). Kimley-Horn has completed all technical and environmental analysis associated with the Project. It was determined that the Project does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the environment as defined by NEPA. Caltrans has determined that the project falls under Categorical Exclusion under 23 CFR 771.117: Activity (c)(4).
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Infrastructure and Facilities.
City Council Staff Report
October 14, 2026 -- Page 4
Cultural Monitoring Agreement for HSIP Cyle 9, City Project 18-05 FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funding is available in the Project budget to cover both the agreement amount of $13,358.40 and contingency of up to $5,000.
REVIEWED BY:
City Engineer: Joel Montalvo
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Cultural Monitoring Agreement – Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians