DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 7, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Azzam Jabsheh, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Department: Public Works
Subject: Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements –
Conceptual Landscape Plan Review and Direction
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, review the proposed conceptual landscape plan for the Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Project and provide direction to staff prior to proceeding with final design.
City Manager's Comments
This is a review of the preliminary design prior to moving to the final design of the Waterman Avenue landscape project.
Executive Summary
The Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Project proposes landscape enhancements along Waterman Avenue from 30th Street to Arrowhead Road. The project is intended to improve the appearance of the corridor through a lowmaintenance, drought-tolerant landscape treatment consisting primarily of California Gold decomposed granite fines, Apache Brown crushed rock, Sierra cobble, boulders, and select drought-adaptive plantings. The conceptual plan has been developed with consideration for long-term maintenance, pedestrian safety, existing residential access, and existing site constraints. Proposed plant species are intended to be California native and/or drought adaptive and selected for color, texture, and low-maintenance characteristics.
The project is currently in the preliminary engineering/design phase. Willdan Engineering was selected from the City’s on-call professional engineering consultants to provide design services under Task Order No. 2026-003 in a not-to-exceed amount of $47,600. The consultant’s scope includes development of the conceptual landscape plan followed by preparation of final plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) after completion of the conceptual review process.
The conceptual plan has been revised based on City management review to further emphasize low-maintenance materials, drought-tolerant landscaping, weed control, pedestrian safety, and reduced maintenance requirements. Staff is presenting the conceptual landscape plan to the Mayor and City Council for review and feedback prior to directing the consultant to proceed with final design.
Background
The Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Project is located along Waterman Avenue from 30th Street to Arrowhead Road, a corridor approximately two miles in length. The project also includes a triangular open-space area near the North Sierra Way cul-de-sac.
The project was included in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP No. SS26-004) for preliminary engineering/design, with $100,000 in Measure S funding allocated for the design phase. The City solicited proposals from its on-call professional engineering consultants for preparation of the landscape design and PS&E. Three proposals were received, and Willdan Engineering was selected to perform the design services. Task Order No. 2026-003 was subsequently issued to Willdan in a not-to-exceed amount of $47,600.
Willdan’s scope of work includes preparation of a conceptual landscape plan followed by final plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E). The conceptual design phase was established to allow the City to review and provide comments on the proposed landscape improvements before proceeding with final design.
The project concept focuses on creating an attractive, drought-adaptive, and lowmaintenance streetscape utilizing California Gold decomposed granite fines, Apache Brown crushed rock, Sierra cobble, boulders, and selected drought-adaptive plantings. The design does not propose a permanent irrigation system; plantings are intended to be manually irrigated during the establishment period.
Following City management review, the conceptual plan was revised to address comments related to long-term maintenance, weed control, stabilization of loose landscape materials, pedestrian safety, and maintaining clear access to adjacent properties. The revised conceptual plan is now being presented to the Mayor and City Council for review and direction prior to proceeding with final design.
Discussion
The revised conceptual landscape plan was developed to provide an attractive streetscape along Waterman Avenue while emphasizing drought tolerance, long- term maintainability, pedestrian safety, and compatibility with existing site conditions.
The proposed landscape palette incorporates California native and drought-adaptive plantings together with California Gold decomposed granite fines, Apache Brown crushed rock, Sierra cobble, and boulders. The conceptual plan does not include a permanent irrigation system; proposed plantings would be manually irrigated during the establishment period.
During City management review, particular attention was given to reducing future maintenance requirements. The concept was revised to increase the use of rock and gravel treatments in lieu of mulch and to incorporate appropriate stabilizers and/or binders for decomposed granite and loose decorative aggregate to minimize displacement of material onto the roadway and adjacent areas. A long-term weed barrier was also identified for use beneath applicable landscape areas to reduce weed growth and ongoing maintenance.
Pedestrian safety and accessibility were also considered in refining the concept.
Thorny or spiky plant materials are to be avoided adjacent to sidewalks and within cul-de-sac areas where they could create conflicts with pedestrians. In constrained areas adjacent to sidewalks, the design emphasizes rock/gravel treatments rather than dense planting. Existing residential driveways and other access points will remain clear and unobstructed. The conceptual plan identifies existing sidewalks, driveways, and other corridor constraints that will be further verified during final design.
The revised conceptual plan is being presented to the Mayor and City Council at this stage so that Council may provide feedback and direction before the consultant proceeds with final PS&E. Following Council direction, staff will coordinate with Willdan Engineering to incorporate applicable comments into the final design and advance the project through the remaining design phase. Willdan’s authorized scope includes preparation of construction plans, specifications, and an engineer’s cost estimate following completion of the conceptual design phase. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Project supports the City’s strategic goals by improving the appearance and quality of the public right-of-way while incorporating drought-adaptive and low-maintenance landscaping practices.
The proposed improvements are intended to enhance the Waterman Avenue corridor while considering long-term maintenance requirements, water conservation, pedestrian safety, and responsible use of City resources.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Funding for the project has already been appropriated, and the design task order has been issued. The remaining FY 2025/26 Measure S project funding is anticipated to be carried over into FY 2026/27.
Conclusion
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council review the revised conceptual landscape plan for the Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Project and provide direction prior to proceeding with final design. Following Council direction, staff will coordinate with the design consultant to incorporate applicable comments and advance the project into final design.
Attachments
1. Attachment 1 - Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements Conceptual Landscape Plan
2. Attachment 2 - Project Location Map
Ward:
Ward 4 and 7
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 04, 2025, FY 2025/2026 Budget Presentation (All Wards).