Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 16
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 7, 2025
TOPIC: Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project
AGENDA TITLE
Second Amendment to Agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for Grant Writing Services (No. 22-6899, 24-6899, 25-6899 & 26-6899) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for grant writing services for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation in the amount of $75,000, for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $405,000 and exercise the final extension option ending December 20, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The proposed Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation is adjacent to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC) and will include a new four-lane underpass to replace the existing at-grade rail crossing at the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) double tracks on Santa Ana Boulevard. This project will eliminate the at-grade crossing allowing for enhanced safety by separating vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from trains at the railroad crossing. It will reduce traffic congestion along a busy arterial, encourage a passenger rail mode shift, reduce air and noise pollution, provide unhindered access for emergency vehicles, and provide connectivity across Santa Ana Boulevard to SARTC. The improvements will include a raised median, bike lanes, sidewalks, storm water pump station, space for a transportation opportunity zone, and a pedestrian plaza. The total cost of this proposed project is estimated to be $126,500,000 and can only be realized with grant funding, which is typical for transportation projects of this magnitude.
On September 27, 2021, the Public Works Agency released Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 21-111, by which it sought the services of a professional engineering firm to provide grant writing services for the Public Works Agency Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project. Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. was awarded an agreement based upon the scope of work and selection criteria outlined in the RFP for a total amount not- to-exceed $330,000.
Second Amendment Mark Thomas Grant Writing
October 7, 2025
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Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. has submitted several grant applications for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation as part of the original agreement scope, including two successful grant awards of $7,000,000 from Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and a $25,000,000 from Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability (RAISE) grant programs. Staff recommends executing a second amendment to the current agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for an additional amount of $75,000 to provide grant writing services for additional grant applications, including the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE), Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI), Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD), and Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation project (Exhibit 1).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted and available in the following account for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Any remaining balances not expended at the end of the fiscal year will be presented to City Council for approval of carryovers to FY 2026-27.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement Amendment with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc.
Submitted By: Rodolfo Rosas, P.E., Acting Executive Director – Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit -Account
No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
Description
Amount
2025-26
03217662-
66220
(Proj. 26-6899)
Measure M
Street
Construction
Measure M2 Local
Fairshare,
Improvements Other
Than
Buildings
$75,000
TOTAL: $75,000