City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 26, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.F
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Mobility Division Subject: Authorization to Accept Two Grants from the California Department of Transportation Local Highway Safety Improvement Program and award RFP No. 11825 to Michael Baker International for the Signal Improvements on Neilson Way and the Lincoln Boulevard & Hill Street Project Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept two grants awarded in the total amount of $1,152,170 from the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Signal Improvements on Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street Project in the Public Works Department, and to accept all grant renewals;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grants and all grant renewals;
4. Award RFP #11825 to Michael Baker International to provide transportation planning and traffic engineering services for the Signal Improvements on Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street Project for the Public Works Department;
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Michael Baker International in an amount not to exceed $355,000 over a two-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
6. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of the report (requires 5 votes).
Summary
The City of Santa Monica (City) Public Works Department continues to advance Vision Zero safety improvements, which support the City’s priority of Achieving Safe Neighborhoods and Clean Streets and the City Council’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. In August 2025, the City was 2 of 6
awarded two California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grants to implement targeted safety countermeasures at priority intersections and corridor segments identified in the City of Santa Monica Local Roadway Safety Plan—completed in 2022 (Attachment A). One grant funds signal improvements along Neilson Way between Ocean Park Boulevard and Pico Boulevard, and the second funds the replacement of the existing flashing beacons at Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street with a pedestrian signal. Staff would combine the two grants into a single project to streamline delivery. The design would be funded by a combination of grant and local funds. Staff recommends awarding RFP #11825 to Michael Baker International for a total amount not to exceed $355,000 over a two-year period.
Discussion
The City completed its Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) in 2022, which analyzed crash data from 2015 to 2019 to identify priority corridors and intersections. Both Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard were identified as priority corridors through this data-driven process. The City was awarded two state-funded grants totaling $1,152,170 from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to support this project.
Neilson Way Corridor Improvements
Neilson Way between Ocean Park Boulevard and Pico Boulevard was identified as part of the LRSP Priority Network. The intersection of Neilson Way and Pico Boulevard was identified as one of the most critical signalized intersections citywide.
The project would implement the following improvements, including:
• Installation of retroreflective signal backplates at all signalized intersections along the corridor to improve signal visibility;
• Implementation of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to increase pedestrian visibility and reduce conflicts with turning vehicles; and • Installation of protected left-turn phasing at 1) Neilson Way & Ocean Park Boulevard and 2) Neilson Way & Pico Boulevard to reduce left-turn conflicts. 3 of 6
These improvements would build upon and complement recent efforts along the corridor, including installation of speed feedback signs, signal timing modifications, and pavement marking enhancements which were completed in 2022; and upcoming efforts to reduce speeds on Neilson Boulevard with the evaluation, design, and installation of a series of speed tables along the corridor.
Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street Improvements
Lincoln Boulevard is also identified as a priority corridor in the LRSP. The project would replace the existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) with a pedestrian/HAWK signal on the north approach of the intersection, providing enhanced crossing protection and reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
This location is also identified in the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan (LiNC), which has guided prior improvements such as pedestrian lighting and enhanced crossings.
Staff would submit a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant application in May 2026 to complete construction of the remaining phases of the LiNC project.
Vendor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Qualified Firm Michael Baker International
Evaluation Criteria Familiarity with State and Federal Procedures; Project Team; Demonstrated Understanding of the Scope of Work;
Demonstrated Technical Ability; Financial Responsibility and Schedule Management; Experience with Similar
Scope.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.190
RFPs Received
General Technologies
and Solutions (GTS) Iteris, Inc. LIN Consulting, Inc Michael Baker International TJKM Willdan Engineering Minagar &
Associates, Inc.
RFP Data
Date Posted Posted On Advertised In Vendors Date
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(City Charter & SMMC) Downloaded Publicly
Opened
02/09/2026 City's Online
Bidding Site OpenGov 46 3/12/2026
Best Bidder Justification
The evaluation committee evaluated proposals and qualifications from the seven consultant teams. The City received an eighth proposal that was disqualified because the vendor did not properly seal their bid from evaluators, as required by the RFP. The evaluation committee was comprised of staff from the Mobility Division and Engineering Division. Based on the familiarity with state and federal procedures; the project team; demonstrated understanding of the scope of work; demonstrated technical ability; financial responsibility and schedule management; experience with similar scopes. The evaluation committee ranked the Michael Baker International team as the best qualified to provide final design services based on their knowledge and experience working on similar pedestrian traffic signal and traffic signal timing projects; traffic signal timing and coordination expertise of key staff on the project team; and familiarity with state and federally funded grant procedures.
Environmental Review
The grant awards for the crosswalk improvements are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts minor alterations to roadways such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes, transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes. The project will include new crosswalk markings, signals, curb extensions, and signal improvements on the existing roadways. These minor alterations would not increase the vehicle capacity of the existing roadways.
Therefore, the award of the contract for this project is exempt pursuant to Section 15301.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
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Staff seeks authority to accept two grants from the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) one for signal improvements along Neilson Way between Ocean Park Boulevard and Pico Boulevard, and the second one for the replacement of the existing flashing beacons at Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street with a pedestrian signal and recommends the following budget amendment.
FY 2025-26 Budget Amendment
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number Amount Account Number Amount
20500012.416370.91057
– HSIP Grant Funds –
Lincoln/Hill
$350,000 C2009250.689261.91057 $27,712
20500012.416370.91058 –
HSIP Grant Funds –
Neilson Way
$802,170 C2009250.689261.91058$51,660
20500012.404190 $78,000 C2009250.689260 $78,000
Total $167,372
Remaining grant funds will be programmed in the FY2026-28 Capital Improvement Program budget for FY 2027-28.
Staff also seeks authority to approve available funding from the Local Return Fund and the Miscellaneous Grants Fund to award a contract to Michael Baker International for design services.
Contract Requests
Funding
Source
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2025-26
Requested
Amount
CIP Account Number Total Contract
Amount
Measure M –
Local Return $197,628 $0.00 C2709030.689110 $197,628
HSIP Grant
Funds –
Lincoln/Hill
0.00 $27,712 C2009250.689261.91057 $27,712
HSIP Grant –
Neilson Way 0.00 $51,660 C2009250.689261.91058 $51,660 Misc. Grant –
Transportation
Development
0.00 $78,000 C2009250.689260 $78,000
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Act, Article III
Total $197,628 $157,372 $355,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Kyle Kozar, Principal Transportation Planner Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Santa Monica Local Roadway Safety Plan (2022)
B. OAKS_INITIATIVE_FORM_(2)_signed
C. Levine Act Disclosure Form 2025_3-27-25