Agenda Item: 14
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: HASKELL CANYON OPEN SPACE SHARED ACCESS
IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE I, PROJECT M4016 - PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Carla Callahan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements – Phase I, Project M4016.
2. Find the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements Project Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum complies with the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulation Article 11 sections 15162 and 15164, for changes to the original project (Revised Project).
3. Award the construction contract for Phase I to R.C. Becker, Inc., in the amount of $925,983 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $231,496, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,157,479.
4. Award the professional services contract to Psomas, to provide design services for Phase II in the amount of $67,000 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $6,700, for a total contract amount not to exceed $73,700.
5. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $1,560,000 from the Facilities Fund (Fund 723) to the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements, Project M4016, expenditure account M4016723-516101.
6. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
Haskell Canyon Open Space, consisting of 526 acres, was acquired by the City of Santa Clarita (City) in June 2011. In August 2022, Blue Cloud Open Space, consisting of 196 acres, was acquired, which abuts the eastern boundary of Haskell Canyon Open Space. The area, totaling over 720 acres, is adjacent to the United States Forest, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), residential properties, and commercial studios. On June 24, 2025, City Council awarded the construction contract for the Haskell Canyon Bike Park. Construction of the Haskell Canyon Bike Park was recently completed.
Phase I of the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project includes improvements to the existing Haskell Canyon Access Road located within the LADWP Transmission Line Right-of-Way, as shown on the attached Location Map. This roadway provides access to the Santa Clarita Archery Range and Haskell Canyon Bike Park.
Improvements include re-grading and re-compacting the existing roadway, placing asphalt concrete pavement, and installing speed cushions, roadway signage, and pavement markings.
These improvements will provide a smoother and more durable surface for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, reduce dust generated from roadway use, and enhance overall safety and accessibility for users accessing the City's recreational facilities.
Phase II of the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project includes the design and construction of two Arizona crossings at Haskell Creek, north of Copper Hill Drive, consistent with LADWP requirements. An Arizona crossing is a low-water crossing that provides access across a drainage channel during normal conditions while allowing storm flows to safely pass over the crossing during rain events. Crossing I is located between the main canyon road and the Santa Clarita Archery Range and Crossing II is located between the main canyon road and the Haskell Canyon Bike Park, as shown on the attached Location Map. This agenda item considers awarding a professional services contract for the design of Phase II, which includes a design survey, hydraulic analysis, design of the two Arizona crossings, and project- related meetings and coordination services necessary to support future permitting and construction. Construction of Phase II will be presented to City Council for consideration of award at a future date. This project supports the Community Connections theme of the City’s strategic plan, Santa Clarita Pathway Forward.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements were completed when the Haskell Canyon Bike Park Project’s Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Errata dated June 17, 2025 (2025 IS/MND), were approved and adopted by the Santa Clarita City Council at its regular meeting on June 24, 2025.
A Notice of Completion was filed with the State Clearinghouse on May 12, 2025 (SCH #2025050436). In addition to the 2025 IS/MND, a 2025 IS/MND Addendum was recently completed. The 2025 IS/MND and 2025 IS/MND Addendum are available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
The 2025 IS/MND Addendum (Addendum) evaluated the addition of asphalt concrete paving from Copper Hill Drive along the Haskell Canyon access road to the Santa Clarita Archery Range, and Haskell Canyon Bike Park and the construction of two Arizona crossings across Haskell Creek (Revised Project), which were not included in the original project. The Addendum
concluded there is substantial evidence to determine that:
(1) the Revised Project does not represent a substantial change from the previously approved project evaluated in the 2025 IS/MND;
(2) no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the Revised Project is undertaken; and
(3) the Revised Project has not introduced new information of substantial importance that was not previously known.
The Revised Project would not have any new or substantially more severe impacts than what was evaluated in the 2025 IS/MND. No new mitigation measures are recommended in addition to those adopted at the time the 2025 IS/MND was approved that would further reduce project impacts. The 2025 IS/MND, when considered in conjunction with this Addendum, provides adequate documentation, pursuant to CEQA for the Approved and Revised Projects.
Phase I Construction
An invitation to bid was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system, BidNet, on May 13, 2026. The City transmitted the solicitation to 2,105 vendors on BidNet, of which 45 vendors downloaded materials. A total of three bids were submitted and opened on June 11, 2026. The results of the bids are shown below.
Company Location Bid Amount
R.C. Becker, Inc. Santa Clarita, CA $ 925,983
Toro Enterprises, Inc. Oxnard, CA $ 1,336,363
Summer Construction, Inc. Santa Paula, CA $ 1,434,269
Staff recommends Phase I of the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project be awarded to R.C. Becker, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. 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.
Phase II Design Services
Psomas was previously awarded an as-needed professional services contract on June 2, 2025, following a competitive RFP process conducted by the City to establish a qualified list of firms capable of providing civil engineering design services for various Capital Improvement Projects.
The as-needed procurement process was intended to provide the City with access to qualified engineering consultants to support project-specific needs, including civil engineering, design, and related services.
Utilizing the established as-needed procurement process, staff requested a proposal from Psomas for the Phase II design services associated with the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project. Psomas was selected to perform the work based on their qualifications, availability to meet project schedules, and demonstrated experience with similar Arizona
crossing design projects.
Staff recommends awarding a professional services contract for design to Psomas for Phase II of the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project in an amount not to exceed $73,700. The proposal is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
California Government Code 4526 prescribes the 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 cost. City staff was able to reach an agreement with Psomas at a fair and reasonable price.
The requested contingencies will cover the cost of unforeseen design constraints, design modifications requested by the City, LADWP, or other permitting agencies, field investigations, including potholing for utility locations and foundations, soils investigations, and coordination with utility companies and other agencies. The requested contingencies also include potential adjustments and change orders to the work requested from LADWP and the City.
The requested appropriations in the amount of $1,560,000 represent approximately $1,157,479 for Phase I construction, $73,700 for Phase II Arizona crossing design, and $328,821 for project administrative costs. Project administrative costs include staff time, project management, public works inspections, environmental coordination and support, labor compliance and environmental monitoring, permitting, and mitigation.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, a total of $1,560,000 will be available in the Haskell Canyon Open Space Shared Access Improvements project expenditure account M4016723- 516101 (Facilities Fund) to support the recommended contract and associated project costs.
ATTACHMENTS
Location Map
Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
Bid Proposal for R.C. Becker, Inc. (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Proposal for Psomas (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)