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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of an Amendment to the Existing Professional Services Agreement with SWA Group for Engineering Design Services for Ballona Creek Path Sustainability, Safety, and Accessibility Improvement Project, PS-018, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $24,588; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Approve Amendment(s) to the Agreement in an Additional Amount Not-to-Exceed $50,000 for Unanticipated Costs.
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Meeting Date: May 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Diana Szymanski/Public Works, Engineering
Phone Number: (310) 253-5623
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/22/2025)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri (05/12/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with SWA Group for engineering design services for Ballona Creek Path Sustainability, Safety, and Accessibility Improvement Project, PS-018, in an amount not-to-exceed $24,588; and (2) authorize the City Manager to approve amendment(s) to the agreement in an additional amount not-to-exceed $50,000 for unanticipated costs.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In November 2020, the City Council accepted a Prop 1 grant awarded by the Baldwin Hills Conservancy for the Greening the Greenway: Ballona Creek Bike/Ped Path Sustainability, Safety and Accessibility Enhancements Project, PS-018. The project includes improving 1.1 miles of the Ballona Creek Bike Path between National Boulevard and Duquesne Avenue. Improvements include wayfinding signs, accessibility at the National Boulevard/Jefferson Boulevard Gateway and at the Duquesne Avenue Gateway, planting trees, installing solar-powered lighting along this path segment, adding lighting under the overcrossings, replacing damaged fencing, and enhancing signage and markings for improved public safety. These upgrades will improve path utilization, active forms of mobility, and access for persons with disabilities or mobility impairments, and will provide wildlife habitats and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In October 2021, the City Council approved a professional service agreement with the SWA Group to commence design for the project. A community meeting to present concept ideas and project design was held in January 2023. In November 2023, a change order for $50,000 was approved for a hydrology study of planter boxes built in the channel walls. In May 2024, project plans were submitted and approved by the LA County Flood Control District in January 2025.
The City submitted the County-approved plans to the Army Corps of Engineers in January 2025. The Army Corps is requesting additional studies for cultural resources. The $24,588 amendment to the SWA contract is to hire a subconsultant, Rincon Consultants, to conduct the required study. The cultural resource study is anticipated to be completed by August 2025, and a submittal package will be submitted by September 2025.
The Army Corps of Engineers anticipates at least a one-year plan check. Due to the complexity of the plan check, an additional $50,000 contingency is requested for any subsequent studies requested by the Army Corps of Engineers during the plan check process.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 includes sufficient funding for the $24,588 amendment and the $50,000 contingency in CIP Project No. PS-018 (Ballona Creek Bike/Pedestrian Path Safety Enhancements) which can be found in the Capital Improvements section of the budget book. Funding for the project is from three sources Fund 418 (Special Gas Tax Fund) on page 478, Fund 420 (Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund) on page 479, and Fund 423 (Capital Grants Fund) on page 481.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Approve an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with SWA Group for engineering design services for Ballona Creek Path Sustainability, Safety, and Accessibility Improvement Project, PS-018, in an amount not-to-exceed $24,588;
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve amendment(s) to the agreement in an additional amount not-to-exceed $50,000 for unanticipated costs;
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.