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Agenda Report
May 4, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Department of Public Works
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CIPf MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
WITH SWA GROUP FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
SERVICES FOR THE WASHINGTON PARK STORMWATER CAPTURE
PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,089,007
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines and, as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required;
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract, as the result of the competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, with SWA Group for professional engineering and design services for the Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project in an amount not to exceed $2,089,007, which includes the base contract amount of $1,899,097 and a contingency of $189,910 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) (contracts for professional or unique services); and
3. Authorize the City Manager to extend the term of the contract as necessary without increasing the not-to-exceed amount.
BACKGROUND:
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) requires the City to take steps necessary to reduce or eliminate pollution in stormwater runoff. In addition, the City is part of a group of 18 agencies who participate in the Upper Los Angeles River (ULAR) Enhanced Watershed Management Program which addresses NPDES compliance issues MEETING OF5/4/2026AGENDA ITEM NO.2
Contract Award for Engineering and Design Services for Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project
May 4, 2026
as a watershed region rather than as independent municipalities. Water in the Rio Hondo River, which is a major tributary of the Upper Los Angeles River, regularly exceeds the Total Maximum Daily Load for bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants set forth by the RWQCB.
The East Side Storm Drain is the City's oldest and largest storm drain facility. It was originally a natural watercourse known as Woodbury Creek and was converted to a channelized storm drain system in 1911 as part of early flood control efforts.
The system originates in Altadena and conveys stormwater south and east through the City of Pasadena, including through Washington Park. As it continues downstream, it receives flows from additional storm drain systems and ultimately transitions into the Rubio Wash Drain and then Rubio Wash, which is a tributary to the Rio Hondo River.
Stormwater conveyed by the East Side Storm Drain is not treated and currently discharges into the Rio Hondo River. From there, flows continue to the Los Angeles River and eventually reach the Pacific Ocean.
In 2022, a preliminary design study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of a stormwater project at this location. That effort: resulted in a concept plan that established an initial design framework and was used to support the City's application to the Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) Regional Infrastructure grant program. In October 2024, the City was awarded a Measure W competitive grant of $12,649,271 to support both the design and construction phases of the project, as well as initial year operations and maintenance funding.
The proposed Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project is intended to intercept, filter, and infiltrate storm and dry weather flows originating from the East Side Storm Drain through a series of green infrastructure elements, including a subsurface storage facility, an infiltration basin, and an ephemeral stream. The project is intended to address critical regulatory requirements for dry and wet weather pollutants in alignment with NPDES Permit deadlines and to avoid potential monetary penalties for non-compliance. In addition, the project is anticipated to include nature-based park enhancements such as bioretention garden areas, new shade trees, and bioswales with native vegetation to create habitat, alleviate localized flooding, and enhance passive recreational opportunities for the surrounding community and park users.
Approval of this contract will authorize professional engineering design services only. The design process will build upon the previously completed feasibility study and advance through multiple stages of preliminary and final design, including design workshops and technical evaluations. Throughout this process, the City will conduct stakeholder and community outreach to share information, gather feed back, and incorporate community priorities into the project as it is developed. Construction would only be considered following completion of the design phase, after community input has been received and addressed, and would be subject to a future City Council action.
Contract Award for Engineering and Design Services for Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project
May 4, 2026
The Department of Public Works issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on January 26, 2026, to solicit for professional engineering and design services. The City received four proposals on February 25, 2026 in response to the RFP.
Below is a list of proposers and proposal rankings
FirmCityAverage Score
SWA GroupLos Angeles, CA83.7
Craftwater Engineering, Inc. | Pasadena, CA82.7
Geosyntec ConsultantsCosta Mesa, CA77
MLA Green, Inc.Los Angeles, CA76
Based on the evaluation procedures and criteria specified in the RFP, the proposals were evaluated, scored, and ranked by a selection committee comprised of staff from the Public Works Department. Consistent with the City's Municipal Code, local Pasadena- based firms were granted five additional points in the scoring of their proposals.
Attachment A summarizes the selection committee's scoring for all proposing firms based on the established evaluation criteria.
As a result of qualifications and scoring, staff is recommending this contract award to SWA Group, whose proposal demonstrated the highest competencies in civil innovations, outreach and engagement strategy, and Safe, Clean Water Program experience.
It is recommended the City enter into a contract with SWA Group for an amount not to exceed $2,089,007. A 10 percent contingency is recommended to address any additional services that may be required.
The proposed contract will be structured as follows:
Professional Engineering and Design Services
Contingency Allowance
Contract "Not to Exceed" Amount
$1,899,097
$ 189,910
$2,089,007
Design is expected to begin in July 2026 and to be completed in Winter 2027.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
This project is consistent with the City Council's strategic goals to increase conservation and sustainability, support and promote the quality of life for our community and to improve, maintain, and enhance public facilities and infrastructure. They also support the General Plan Land Use policy to encourage and promote the stewardship of Pasadena's natural environment, including water conservation and protection of water quality.
Contract Award for Engineering and Design Services for Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project
May 4, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The action proposed herein does not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 21065 of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060 (c)(2), 15060 (c)(3), and 15378. The authorization to enter into a contract for professional services is an administrative activity that would not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The proposed agreement is limited to professional engineering and design services for the Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project and does not commit the City to undertaking or implementing the design. Therefore, the proposed action is not a "project" subject to CEQA, as defined in Section 21065 of CEQA and Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
Contract Award for Engineering and Design Services for Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project
May 4,2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of this contract is $2,089,007 and the total cost of this action, including staff time and administration of the contract, is not expected to exceed $2,289,007. Funding for this action will be addressed by the utilization of the existing budgeted appropriations in the Washington Park Stormwater Capture Project - Design Phase (76921) CIP project which has been fully funded with a Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) competitive grant. There is no impact on the General Fund.
DescriptionCost
Base Contract$1,899,097
Contingency$189,910
Contract Administration and Management$200,000
Total$2,289,007
Respectfully submitted,
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GREG DE VINCK, P.E.
Director of Public Works
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Prepared by:
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Brent Maue, P.E.
City Engineer
Approved by;
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MATTHEW E. HAWKESWORTH
Interim City Manager NICHOLAS G. RODRIGUEZ
Assistant City Manager
Attachment:
Attachment A - Consultant Scoring and Ranking