Agenda Item: 8
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: June 24, 2025
SUBJECT: NEWHALL GATEWAY BEAUTIFICATION, PROJECT B2018 -
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Shannon Pickett
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for Newhall Gateway Beautification, Project B2018.
2. Award a construction contract to Superb Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $2,602,816 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $390,422, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,993,238.
3. Award a professional services contract for construction support services to Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., in the amount of $133,705 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $13,371, for a total contract amount not to exceed $147,076.
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Newhall Gateway Beautification project is located within the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) right of way at the Newhall Avenue and State Route 14 interchange, as shown on the attached Location Map and Project Rendering. This project will beautify the existing on- and off-ramps to enhance a primary entry point to the Newhall community.
Improvements will include landscaping, trees, cobblestone hardscape, fencing, and stamped concrete. The design is similar to gateway beautification projects previously completed by the City of Santa Clarita (City) along State Route 14 at the Sand Canyon interchange and along Interstate 5 at the Lyons Avenue interchange. This project supports the Community Beautification and Sustainability theme of the City’s five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements were previously completed on December 13, 2022, when a Notice of Exemption (NOE) for Categorical Exemptions Classes 1 and 4 were filed with the Los Angeles County Clerk’s office who posted the NOE between December 13, 2022, and January 12, 2023 (Filing #2022 268793).
An invitation to bid was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system, BidNet, on April 24, 2025. The City transmitted the solicitation to 2,717 vendors on BidNet, and 99 vendors downloaded materials. A total of eight bids were submitted and opened on May 30, 2025. Each of the bids included a base bid and one bid alternate. The basis for award was the total for the base bid only. The results of the base bids are shown below.
Company Location Bid Amount
1. Superb Engineering, Inc. Banning, CA $2,435,409
2. Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. Irwindale, CA $2,563,165
3. Marina Landscape, Inc. Orange, CA $2,926,835
4. CEM Construction Corporation Montebello, CA $3,297,117
5. R.C. Becker, Inc. Santa Clarita, CA $3,426,318
6. Urban Habitat Palm Desert, CA $3,545,002
7. Landscape Development, Inc. Santa Clarita, CA $3,892,010
8. Environmental Construction, Inc. Woodland Hills, CA $3,949,409
Staff recommends the project be awarded to Superb Engineering, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $2,602,816. This amount includes $2,435,409 for the base bid and $167,407 for the bid alternate, which covers an additional work location within the project area. Staff also recommends authorizing a contingency in the amount of $390,422, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,993,238. This contractor possesses a valid contractor’s license and is in good standing with the Contractors State License Board. The contractor’s bid was reviewed for accuracy and conformance to the contract documents and was found to be complete. The bid proposal adheres to the project's plans and specifications and is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
While the City maintains a Support of Local Businesses policy that can be utilized by the City Council when warranted, the City is governed by the California Public Contract Code with regard to public works project procurement. In this type of procurement, the California Public Contract Code does not permit a city to utilize a Support of Local Businesses policy and instead requires the contract be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide professional design services for the Newhall Gateway Beautification project, including construction support. The RFP was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system, BidNet, on June 2, 2022. Firms were evaluated based on the entire scope of services.
The City Council awarded a design contract for a total amount not to exceed $466,758 to Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., at the August 23, 2022, City Council meeting. Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., is the Landscape Architect for the Newhall Gateway Beautification project.
In order to provide appropriate construction support services throughout construction, it is recommended that Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., be awarded a professional services contract in the amount of $147,076, including contingency. This contract will allow Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc., to provide design support including landscape architecture, engineering, traffic control, and geotechnical inspections as the project is constructed. The proposal is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
The requested contingency will cover the cost of unforeseen site conditions such as potential utility conflicts and fees, abandoned utilities not shown in record drawings, field adjustments, and additional work requested by the City.
The City Council appropriated $3,338,000 for this project upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. The construction contract of $2,993,238, construction support services contract of $147,076, and project administrative costs of $197,686 represent the total project budget.
Project administrative costs include staff time, project management, public works inspections, Caltrans fees and inspections, environmental inspections and support, utility fees, and labor compliance monitoring.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds are available in project expenditure account B2018367-516101 (Areawide Fund) to support the recommended contract and project administrative costs.
ATTACHMENTS
Location Map
Project Rendering
Bid Proposal for Superb Engineering, Inc. (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Proposal for Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc. (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)