City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 9, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.G
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Architecture Services Division Subject: Approval of First Modification to Agreement #11521 with RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for Construction Services for the 7th Street Fencing Upgrade and Activation Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement/Reconstruction), 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), and 15311 (Accessory Structures) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a first modification to agreement #11521 (CCS) in the amount of $526,355 with RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for construction services for the 7th Street Fencing Upgrade and Activation Project for the Public Works Department. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $2,511,355 with future funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica (City) 7th Street Fencing Upgrade and Activation Project (Project) delivers capital improvements to the Santa Monica Department of Transportation (SMDOT) campus located at 1620 6th Street. The Project includes fencing upgrades to adequately secure facilities including the City’s fueling station at Olympic and Fifth; site activation elements through the conversion of an underutilized twelve-foot landscape buffer along the west side of 7th Street into dog exercise areas, bus stop improvements, and associated infrastructure improvements. On December 12, 2023, City Council awarded a construction contract to RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $1,985,000. 2 of 5
During construction, staff identified additional related improvements necessary to address operational requirements, enhance site security, improve coordination with adjacent transit-support infrastructure, and ensure the long-term functionality and maintainability of the facility. The additional work includes security, landscaping, access, facility integration, and transit-support improvements associated with the original project objectives. Staff recommends approval of a contract modification with RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for the Project in the amount of $526,355, resulting in a revised total contract amount not to exceed $2,511,355.
Discussion
The City of Santa Monica’s Department of Transportation (SMDOT) property located at 1620 6th Street is bounded by 5th Street to the west, Colorado Avenue to the north, 7th Street to the east, and Olympic Boulevard to the south. The site contains the Big Blue Bus (BBB) administration building, maintenance facilities, staff and bus parking, and fueling stations. The site includes a major BBB bus stop that provides regional connectivity via Route 7 and Rapid 7 and is adjacent to the Downtown Santa Monica’s Expo light rail station. The SMDOT property and its immediate vicinity fall within the Transit Adjacent land-use district designated in the City’s Downtown Community Plan.
The original Project scope included replacement of the SMDOT property fencing along the west side of 7th Street north of Olympic Boulevard, which was at the end of its useful life and required removal and replacement. The original scope also included new fencing with motorized vehicular access gates for security and a pedestrian access gate for maintenance at the fueling station located at the northeast corner of 5th Street and Olympic Boulevard, which had experienced recurring vandalism. Further, in support of the Downtown Community Plan vision for vibrant, publicly accessible open spaces and amenities to meet the growing needs of the Downtown neighborhood, the project converted the underutilized twelve-foot landscape buffer along the west side of 7th Street into open green space designed for dog exercise. These project improvements deliver significant enhancements to the SMDOT campus and help ensure City facilities are adequately maintained and secured.
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During construction, additional improvements have been identified to address operational needs, improve security, and coordinate with City initiatives. These improvements include:
• Installation of additional camera and security infrastructure within the SMDOT campus to enhance facility safety;
• Additional modification of parkway landscaping and irrigation to improve site conditions;
• Additional painting of the Maintenance Building to address facility upkeep and extend the useful life of existing structures;
• Modification to the 5
th Street fueling station gate to accommodate existing site conditions and to improve access, circulation, and operational efficiency; and • Construction of additional BBB bus stop shade structures within the project corridor would support transit operations and improve the rider experience.
The additional work identified during construction is directly related to the original project objectives for site security, transit-support infrastructure, landscaping, public interface improvements, and operational functionality associated with the SMDOT campus and adjacent transit corridor. The improvements are of a similar construction character and continue the originally approved transit-support and public interface elements contemplated under the Project. Staff determined that completing the work under the existing construction contract would maintain continuity of construction activities, minimize disruption to ongoing operations, and avoid additional remobilization costs.
Environmental Review
The contraction modification for the 7th Street Fencing and Upgrade project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement/Reconstruction), 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), and 15311 (Accessory Structures) of the CEQA Guidelines. The additional work consists of minor modifications and improvements including replacement of small structures to an existing public facility and would not result in an expansion of use or significant environmental impacts. Therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA.
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Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
12/12/2023
(Attachment A)
Awarded construction contract to RAMCO General
Engineering Contractor for the 7th Street Fencing Upgrade and Activation Project
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Big Blue Bus Fund to increase the amount of agreement #11521 with RAMCO General Engineering Contractor for additional construction services for the 7th Street Fencing Upgrade and Activation Project.
Agreement
#
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2025-26
Request
Amount
CIP Account # Total Revised
Contract Amount
11521
$1,985,000 $ 93,034 C6004830.689000 $2,078,034
$214,295 C6004910.689000 $214,295
$44,438 C6007380.689000 $44,438
$174,588 C6004780.689000 $174,588
Total $1,985,000 $526,355 $2,511,355
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval. 5 of 5
Prepared By: Brian Ochoa, CIP Project Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. December 12, 2023 Staff Report (web link)
B. RAMCO - FTA_Construction_Contract_- EXECUTED
C. RAMCO - Californina_Levine_Act_Disclosure
D. RAMCO - Oaks_Initiavire_Disclosure_Form