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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: March 4, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
For The Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project for
$342,790 and Approve Additional Contingencies in the
Amount of $35,000 for a Total Increase of $377,790. (Ward 1)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. for the Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project (Project) in the amount of $377,790, increasing the total not to exceed amount to $968,645, and extending the term through December 31, 2027; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to expend the contingency fund, if necessary, to complete the project.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. was originally contracted to establish design plans for the complete renovation and restoration of Seccombe Lake Park. The current scope of work utilizes the City’s ARPA allocation and is currently under 3 1
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construction.
Amending the Design Services Agreement for Seccombe Lake Park would allow the City to proceed with additional design services necessary to fully utilize the $5,000,000 state appropriation from Assemblymember Ramos. The proposed design scope includes pickleball courts, concrete art pads, additional accessibility improvements, dog park enhancements, lake cleanup, and renovation of the northern parking lot.
These improvements would be in addition to what is currently under construction at Seccombe Lake Park. The term extension through December 31, 2027, will allow time to complete the design and allow RHA to remain available during construction of the additional improvements.
Any items that cannot be constructed as part of the ongoing construction project will be designed and constructed as a separate phase, allowing the current ARPA funded phase to be completed by the end of 2026.
Background
On September 21, 2022, Mayor and City Council approved Design Services Agreement award for Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. for $537,855. RHA’s scope includes designing and planning comprehensive park improvements such as restroom replacements, lake enhancements, ADA upgrades, irrigation updates, and new low-maintenance landscaping to revitalize Seccombe Lake Park while improving safety, visibility, and long-term sustainability. Their role also involves collaborating with City staff to evaluate design options for planting, irrigation, and site furnishings to ensure the improvements support beautification, durability, and future maintenance needs.
On July 19, 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved a concept plan that included a variety of park improvements. The improvements included, but are not limited to, playground equipment, lighting, ADA accessibility, exercise stations, gazebo renovations, parking lot rehabilitation, renovation of dirt/gras areas, and new restrooms.
On March 20, 2024, the Mayor and City Council approved Amendment No. 1 to the Design Services Agreement with RHA to provide additional services and increase the total compensation by $53,000. The additional services were necessary for RHA to complete electrical design work after significant damage to the park’s electrical system was discovered during a site visit. These were damages that occurred after the original agreement was awarded and these services were required to restore proper electrical function and allow continued park operations.
On December 3, 2025, the Mayor and City Council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Design Services Agreement with RHA to extend the term of the agreement through June 30, 2027.
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Discussion
In early 2024, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) notified the City of San Bernardino of a $5,000,000 state funding award to replace parkland at Seccombe Lake Park. After the original project stalled, City staff coordinated with Assemblymember Ramos’ office and CNRA to obtain approval to repurpose the funding.
The $5,000,000 will now be used for additional for Seccombe Lake Park improvements. The proposed additional improvements are listed below. The additional improvements are subject to change based on feasibility and construction costs. Pickleball Courts
Concreate Art Pads
Additional Accessibility
Improvements
Dog Park Enhancements
Lake Cleanup
Renovation of Northern
Parking Lot
The first phase of the Project is currently under construction and will revitalize Seccombe Lake Park with new amenities and restore existing infrastructure. RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. (RHA) prepared construction documents for this project and is currently providing construction support services. The first phase is funded with ARPA allocations, which must be expended by December 31, 2026. The current phase of the project is anticipated to be completed by June 2026.
The ARPA funding allocated for the Seccombe Lake Park Project totals $13,792,332 million, $1 million of this is from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians grant. From this amount, funds have been committed to several key components of the project, including $10,539,509.65 million to Landscape Support Services for construction, $700,305 for CSG Consultants for construction management and inspection services, and $590,855 for RHA Landscape Architects. An additional $1,070,000.00 million is reserved for project contingencies to address unforeseen needs during construction. $22,721.60 is allocated to administrative cost.
Approximately $42,600 remains in the San Manuel grant balance which is anticipated to be used for the future interpretive signage. The following table demonstrates expenditures from this grant as of November 2025:
Phase 1 Budget Summary
San Manuel Grant $1,000,000
ARPA Allocation $12,792,332
Dave Bang Associates (585,444.22)
Coast Recreation ($221,141.19)
RHA Landscape ($590,885)
CSG Consultants ($700,305)
Landscape Support Services ($10,539,509.65)
Project Contingency ($1,070,000.00)
Administrative Cost ($22,721.60)
Remaining Budget $62,325.34
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Amendment No. 3 would allow RHA to complete the design documents necessary to construct the additional improvements to effectively utilize the $5,000,000 state allocation. The cost of the additional design work is $342,790. An additional $35,000 is also recommended to increase the available design contingency budget. This would increase the not-to-exceed amount by $377,790 for a new total of $968,645, which includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 design services.
Phase 2 Budget Summary
State Funding Allocation $5,000,000
RHA Landscape ($377,790)
Remaining Budget $4,622,210
The amendment also extends the term through December 31, 2027, allowing RHA to prepare the next set of construction drawings, and remain under contractor through construction. Any items that cannot be constructed as part of the current phase of work will be completed as a second phase. This will allow the current ARPA funded phase to be completed prior to December 31, 2026, deadline.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Authorizing the execution of this amendment aligns with Key Target No. 4: Economic Growth & Development. The additional amenities to Seccombe Lake Park will improve community participation for recreational activities and provide a safe and well- maintained community park.
Fiscal Impact
There is no General Fund impact associated with this item. The repurposed CNRA $5,000,000 funding will be used to complete the design and construction of the additional park improvements.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. for the Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project (Project) in the amount of $377,790, increasing the total not to exceed amount to $968,645, and extending the term through December 31, 2027; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to expend the contingency fund, if necessary, to complete the project.
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Attachments
Attachment 1 Amendment No 3. to the Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
Attachment 2 Amendment No 2. to the Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
Attachment 3 Amendment No 1. to the Design Services Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc.
Attachment 4 Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects - Planners Inc.
Attachment 5 Location Map
Ward:
First Ward
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
September 21, 2022 Approved design services agreement award for Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project.
July 19, 2023 Approved the Concept Plan for the Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Project.
March 20, 2024 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. for Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Design Services (Ward 1)
December 4, 2025 Amendment No. 2 RHA Landscape Architects – Planners Inc. for Seccombe Lake Park Revitalization Design Services (Ward 1)
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager