TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:January 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) to provide engineering and design services for the Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas Project (CI 5597) in an amount of $148,910, plus extra services of $14,890 with a total not-to-exceed amount of $163,800, and a term ending June 30, 2027.
2. Approve budget appropriation transfer in the amount of $18,800 from FY 2026- 27 to FY 2025-26 in A/C #551-5560-631-8300 (Developer Fee Fund Improvements other than Buildings - CI 5597).
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $168,800 ($148,910 Agreement, plus extra services of $14,890 and $5,000 for City Furnished Materials and Supplies) from A/C #551-5560-631-8300 (Developer Fee Fund Improvements other than Buildings - CI 5597).
4. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$18,800 Increase to Adopted FY 2025-26 Developer Fee Fund Capital Budget and $18,800 Decrease to Adopted FY 2026-27 Developer Fee Fund Capital Budget. A budget appropriation transfer in the amount of $18,800 from the Adopted FY 2026-27 Developer Fee Fund Capital Budget to the Adopted FY 2025- 26 Developer Fee Fund Capital Budget is requested for CI 5597. $150,000 is included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for CI 5597, and $385,750 is included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted CIP Budget for CI 5597, for a total project budget of $535,750.
Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597) January 13, 2026
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BACKGROUND:
The City maintains an ongoing program that evaluates intersections for traffic signal installation based on an established engineering-based prioritization program. The latest traffic signal priority list was presented to the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission (TTAC) on June 25, 2025. The evaluation framework to qualify for intersection signalization relies primarily on traffic volume data, along with operational performance and intersection characteristics. Under the analysis, the intersection at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (Attachment #1) ranked as the number one priority for signal installation in the 2025 review cycle.
The intersection of Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas is currently a three-way, stop-controlled intersection that meets the traffic volume levels required for the installation of a traffic signal. The three-way stop control results in delays for motorists. In addition, residents entering Avenida De Los Arboles from driveways and side streets during heavier traffic periods encounter delays due to minimal gaps in traffic flow as vehicles continue to appear every two to three seconds after stopping.
Due to the project’s proximity to residential and commercial properties, staff initiated public outreach by distributing informational mailers to 239 properties located near the project limits. During the week of August 11, 2025, staff engaged directly with near-by residents through in-person outreach to share project information and invite participation in a forthcoming community meeting. On August 27, 2025, staff conducted a virtual public community meeting to present the proposed project concept and gather input from residents. Feedback received during the meeting was incorporated into the conceptual plan.
On September 24, 2025, staff presented the project to the TTAC and provided the project background, updated conceptual plan, and public outreach results. Staff received input during the TTAC meeting, with the Commissioners’ acknowledgment of the project’s high priority and overall benefits to the public. All comments received will be incorporated into the project’s final design work.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The installation of the traffic signal at the Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas intersection will address the residents’ challenges of entering or exiting driveways as well as improving the circulation of nearby residents traveling from side streets. The project will include pedestrian enhancements with the addition of curb extensions, pedestrian signals and push buttons, and new streetlights on the traffic signals to improve nighttime visibility. Connecting the Class II bicycle lanes through the intersection will also ensure that the improvements encompass all modes of travel.
Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597) January 13, 2026
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The services of a professional engineering firm are required to develop the plans and specifications for this project. In accordance with Government Code Section 4526 and Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 3-10.401, staff solicited a Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for the Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597). Unlike the low bid requirements of the Public Contract Code, contracts for professional, management, general or special services should only be awarded to firms or persons who have demonstrated an adequate level of experience, competence, training, credentials, resources, staffing, and other professional qualifications necessary for more than a satisfactory performance of the services solicited. The award of an RFP/Q is based upon a variety of factors that demonstrate best value to the City for the solicited scope of service. The cost of the service may be considered as one of those factors; however, the lowest cost is not the sole factor in deciding who will be awarded the contract.
On October 3, 2025, a formal RFP/Q was publicly advertised in the Thousand Oaks Acorn newspaper and on the City’s e-procurement website for required professional consulting services on the Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas Project, for design and bid support services (Phase I), and for construction engineering support services (Phase II).
The RFP/Q was sent out to over 493 vendors, and a total of 53 vendors downloaded the RFP/Q document. On November 6, 2025, the City received three proposals, listed alphabetically as follows:
General Technologies and Solutions (GTS) Los Angeles, CA Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA) Los Angeles, CA
Minagar and Associates, Inc. Laguna Hills, CA
A team of six Public Works engineering and operations staff evaluated the proposals based on the following criteria:
Project understanding and approach
Relevant experience (projects of similar size and scope) Familiarity with local, state, and federal procedures
Quality, clarity, responsiveness, and conformance with terms of the RFP/Q
Qualifications of key persons and subconsultants working on the project Technical ability, creativity, and past experiences with the City Reasonableness of schedule and estimated level of effort dedicated to completing each task
Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597) January 13, 2026
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After careful review and consideration of the three proposals received, Kimley- Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) was determined to best meet the City’s needs for this project.
A detailed scope of work and consulting fees have been negotiated and finalized with Kimley-Horn for services under Phase I (Design/Bid Process) of the project.
Staff recommends City Council approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn (Attachment #2) for Phase I. Upon successful completion of Phase I, staff will return to City Council for authorization to advertise the project for construction bids, and to amend Kimley-Horn’s agreement to provide professional construction support services (Phase II).
ESTIMATED PROJECT COST SUMMARY
Design (this action) $ 148,910
Design Extra Services (this action) $ 14,890
City Furnished Materials/Supplies (this action) $ 5,000 Construction Estimate (future action) $ 366,950*
Total Estimated Project Cost $ 535,750
* Includes engineering support services during construction.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Design February 2026 – August 2026
Bid & Award Process September 2026 – November 2026
Construction December 2026 – June 2027
Community Outreach: Staff have developed and implemented a public outreach plan for the project, with particular focus on the residents closest to the intersection, as well as the general public. Staff provided mailers to 239 properties near the project limits, conducted door-to-door canvassing, held a virtual community outreach meeting on August 27, 2025, and presented the project to the TTAC on September 24, 2025, as part of the project’s outreach efforts. Additional communication tools and strategies, including press releases, regular updates to the project website, and social media posts will be utilized to inform and receive feedback from the public.
This project meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9 to “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Two – Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
Traffic Signal at Avenida De Los Arboles and Avenida De Las Plantas (CI 5597) January 13, 2026
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LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. The completed Levine Act documents for Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. are included as Exhibit C in the agreement.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Clark Stanphill, Associate Engineer
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Vicinity and Location Maps
Attachment #2 – Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2026\011326\CI 5597\Traffic Signal at Arboles and Plantas staff report.docx