The Public Works Engineering Division (Engineering) oversees an annual capital improvement plan (CIP) budget of $28.6 million. Projects under the CIP require extensive planning and complex engineering work to execute. Engineering must maintain a full staff in order to effectively carry out the workload of meeting CIP goals. In December 2022, an Associate Engineer on the Engineering team retired, leaving a vacancy and fulltime workload that must be met. Due to the volume and intricate nature of this work, it is not possible to redistribute it to the remaining engineers on the team.

Staff solicited bids for consultant engineering services and received two qualified bids. The Engineering Division held a series of interviews to identify the most qualified consultant candidate and selected Willdan Engineering. The licenses and references of the consultant have been reviewed and verified by staff, and all other documentation is in order.

The cost of the engineering consulting service will be offset by cost savings created by the temporary vacancy.  No additional appropriation is necessary.  Funding sources include the Gas Tax and Measure M2.  There is no impact to the General Fund. 

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Award a contract to Willdan Engineering, in the amount not to exceed $300,000 for consultant engineering services, to meet engineering needs until the permanent Associate Engineer position has been filled; and

• Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Willdan Engineering, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto, on behalf of the City.

By:  Alexa Viramontes, Sr. Administrative Analyst