COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: November 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. for US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange Project Approval and Environmental Document
Description:
The City Council will c onsider approving Amendment No. 2, in the amount of $1,577,071.77, with Dewberry Engineers Incto complete the Project Approval and Environmental Docum ent (PA&ED) for the US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange Project.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to agreement with Drewberry Engineers, Inc. , to complete the Project Approval and Environmental Document for the US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange in the amount of $1,577,071.77; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
This project is identified in the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Measure A Program of Projects for the City of Santa Maria, with over $12 million in Measure A funding earmarked for the interchange. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic operations at the US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange by addressing the existing substandard configuration.
The City originally entered into a Professional Services Agreement on May 8, 2019, with Drake Haglan & Associates to prepare the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED). Amendment No. 1, dated September 14, 2020, was also executed with Drake Haglan & Associates. On September 30, 2019, Dewberry Engineers Inc. announced the acquisition of California-based Drake Haglan & Associates. As a result of that acquisition, Drake Haglan & Associates now operates under the Dewberry Engineers Inc. name.
Accordingly, Amendment No. 2 will be made with Dewberry Engineers Inc., as the successor firm to Drake Haglan & Associates.
2 The PA&ED phase is multi-year effort initiated in 2019 and represents the final step prior to design and right-of-way acquisition. Caltrans approval of the PA&ED is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
DISCUSSION:
Funding to complete the PA&ED phase is inclu ded in the FY 2024 –2026 City Budget.
Staff propose to utilize Growth Mitigation funding for this work, with no reliance on the General Fund.
Public and stakeholder outreach has been initiated and will continue through completion of the Caltrans -approved PA&ED. An approved PA&ED will facilitate the orderly development of the adjacent Roemer property and the planned extension of Seward Drive to US 101.
Staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 2 (Attachment D) with Dewberry Engineers Inc. to continue and complete the PA&ED phase.
Alternative(s)
The City Council may choose to deny or defer the Amendment No. 2, which would suspend work on the interchange project. However, delaying the project could result in the loss of over $10 million in Measure A funding and may impede future development east of US 101.
Fiscal Considerations
The US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange is a Measure A North C ounty Project proposed to be funded through a combination of Measure A, Growth Mitigation, Regional State Transportation Improvement Program, and Gas Tax funds.
Amendment No. 2 is in the amount of $1,577,071.77. The City Council has previously appropriated $2 million in Growth Mitigation funds for this phase, as identified in the City’s FY 2025-26 Capital Projects list. Sufficient funding is available in the Growth Mitigation Traffic Account to support this request.
Impact on the Community
Approval of this amendment will allow the project to progress toward completion of the PA&ED phase. The resulting document will guide the orderly development of the interchange area, particularly the properties east of US 101.
3 Other Agency Review
Caltrans has reviewed the proposed scope of work and provided input on the remaining tasks required to complete the PA&ED document.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Original Agreement
C. Amendment No. 1
D. Amendment No. 2