Agenda Item: 6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: August 23, 2022
SUBJECT: NEWHALL GATEWAY BEAUTIFICATION, PROJECT B2018 -
AWARD DESIGN CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Shannon Pickett
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a design contract for Newhall Gateway Beautification, Project B2018, to Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., in the amount of $405,876 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $60,882, for a total contract amount not to exceed $466,758.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Newhall Gateway Beautification project is located at the State Route 14 on-ramp and off- ramp interchange at Newhall Avenue, as shown on the attached Location Map. The design will provide for plans to beautify this location using landscaping, such as trees, shrubs, groundcover, and hardscape to complement the landscape. Efficient irrigation, low water use plant material, and the balance of hardscape and landscape are elements to be included in the drought-conscious design.
The existing project location includes approximately 200,000 square feet of blighted, unimproved land with no existing irrigation. The beautification of the area surrounding the interchange will improve existing conditions, highlight the mountainous terrain of the area, enhance previously-constructed Caltrans freeway infrastructure, and enhance a primary entry point for the Newhall community. This project supports the Community Beautification and Sustainability theme of the City of Santa Clarita’s (City) five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025.
The state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Assembly Bill 1881 will be followed where applicable. Drainage will be designed to alleviate stormwater runoff into the street.
Infiltration systems and green streets components will also be considered in the design of this project. The project area is on Caltrans’ property; therefore, plans will be designed to meet Caltrans’ requirements in order to qualify for right-of-way encroachment permits, where needed, for construction. The planned improvements are similar to gateway beautification projects previously completed by the City along State Route 14 at the Sand Canyon interchange and along Interstate 5 at the Lyons Avenue interchange.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design of the project was prepared and posted on BidNet on June 2, 2022. The RFP asked firms to identify their relevant experience with similar projects and demonstrate their design approach for this project. On July 6, 2022, four firms submitted proposals. Staff reviewed the proposals and, based on their evaluations, scored the firms on a 100-point scale as follows:
Rank Company Location Score
1. Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc. Ventura, CA 90
2. NUVIS Landscape Architecture Newport Beach, CA 82
3. David Evans and Associates Santa Clarita, CA 82
4. Gruen Associates Los Angeles, CA 76
The scoring system was based on the following criteria: an understanding of the scope and approach to the required work and key development tasks, the consultant’s previous experience with similar projects, qualifications of the project team and their resources, and the organization of the proposal.
Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the project needs and provided a detailed scope of work and approach to the project. They analyzed the project location and identified key design factors that will need to be addressed in the design. Based on their design experience with similar projects and the completeness of their proposal for this project, staff recommends awarding the design contract to Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc.
The requested contingency of 15 percent will cover the costs of unforeseen design constraints and account for potential modifications requested by Caltrans and other permitting agencies during the design of the project. This may include additional reports, subsurface investigations, and modifications to the design drawings required by Caltrans.
While the City maintains a Support of Local Business policy that can be utilized by the City Council when warranted, the policy only extends to purchases of supplies, equipment, and services other than Public Works projects and professional services, such as architectural and engineering services.
California Government Code 4526 prescribes selection of architectural and engineering services to be based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required and does not authorize the selection of professional architect and engineering services based on costs. Staff opened the cost proposal for Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., and negotiated a final contract at a fair and reasonable price for
the services requested in the RFP.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds are available in expenditure account B2018367-516101 (Areawide Fund) to support the recommended contract and project administrative costs.
ATTACHMENTS
Location Map
Proposal for Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc. (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)