Agenda Item: 15
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: PIONEER OIL REFINERY RESTORATION, PROJECT P2018 -
DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Community Services
PRESENTER: Lance O'Keefe
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a design-build contract to Spectra Company to design and build the phased rehabilitation, reinstallation, and repair of the Pioneer Oil Refinery buildings and structures, in the amount of $1,285,159, and authorize a contingency in the amount of $192,774, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,477,933.
2. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $1,340,000 from the Developer Fee Fund (Fund 306) and $234,000 from the Facilities Fund (Fund 723) to the Pioneer Oil Refinery expenditure accounts P2018306-516101 and P2018723-516101, respectively, for a total appropriation of $1,574,000 for the restoration of the Pioneer Oil Refinery site.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
The Pioneer Oil Refinery (Site) is a historic, inactive oil refinery located on the corner of Needham Ranch Parkway and Pioneer Way in the City of Santa Clarita (City). Built in 1876 by California Star Oil Works, a predecessor of Standard Oil Company and later Chevron, the refinery operated until 1888. The Site has received several significant historic designations. In 1935, it was designated a California State Historical Landmark as the first commercial oil refinery in California. In 1975, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers recognized the Site as the first successful oil refinery in California. In December 2020, the Pioneer Oil Refinery
was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Chevron donated the property to the City in 1997, and the Pioneer Oil Refinery Master Plan was approved in 2013. The Master Plan was developed to transform the Site into an educational public park where visitors of all ages can learn about the oil refining process of the late 1800s.
The plan includes trails, open space, interpretive features, and other park amenities. The Site contains several historic structures, including two buildings (the Pump House and Shed); seven metal tanks (Acid Tank, Wash Tank, two Rundown Tanks, Residuum Tank, Water Tank, and Oil Tank); and a set of stills consisting of two brick and metal stills, two chimneys, and a network of metal condenser pipes. As part of Phase 1, the Master Plan was updated, and the park was constructed and opened to the public in 2025.
In March 2026, a Request for Qualifications (RFQual) was published via the City’s e- procurement system, BidNet, inviting interested firms to submit their qualifications for Phase 2 of the project. Phase 2 includes the design and construction of the rehabilitation, reinstallation, and repair of the historic structures and equipment on the Site. The RFQual was distributed to 4,748 vendors, of which 63 downloaded the materials. The City received one submission and determined that the design-build firm, Spectra Company (Spectra), was qualified to undertake this project.
After finalizing the scope of work, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting the pre- qualified firm to submit their proposal for the project. The City received Spectra’s proposal, which was evaluated by a panel of City staff to ensure that the firm has a strong project management approach, qualified staff, and relevant experience on similar projects.
The following criteria were used to evaluate the proposal:
• Project Management and Schedule of Work
• Staff Composition
• Experience on similar projects and experience working with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and other public agencies
• Cost Proposal
Following the evaluation process, Spectra received the score as outlined below.
COMPANY LOCATION SCORE
Spectra Company Pomona, CA 94.3
Spectra demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the project needs and provided a detailed scope of work and a comprehensive project management approach. Their team brings diverse backgrounds and decades of experience working on restoring historic structures and sites. Staff recommends awarding the design-build contract to Spectra Company for a total contract amount of $1,285,159. A 15 percent contingency is being requested to cover additional design and/or build needs for the historic structures, additional amenities identified for the park site, and any necessary modifications required during the project.
Upon approval of the recommended actions, the City Council will appropriate $1,574,000 for
this project. The project budget will support $1,477,933 for design and construction, including contingency, and $96,067 for historic consultant services, a park monument sign, an electric vehicle charging station, and project administrative costs, including inspections, permits, and fees, and labor compliance monitoring.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested appropriations of $1,340,000 in Developer Fee Fund (Fund 306) and $234,000 in Facilities Fund (Fund 723) will create a total project budget of $1,574,000 in Pioneer Oil Refinery Expenditure Accounts P2018306-516101 and P2018723-516101, collectively. This amount will adequately provide $1,477,933 for award of the design-build contract, including contingency and $96,067 for historic consultant services, a monument sign, an electric vehicle charging station, and additional administrative costs.
ATTACHMENTS
RFP Response (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)