CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE - File #: 26-422

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Submitted By: Public Works

Prepared By: Belgin Cuhadaroglu, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer

Subject:

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CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO CABIFORNIA INC. FOR THE AVENIDA VICTORIA SIDEWALK AND UNDERPASS (PHASE II) PROJECT NO. 17355, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $62,100, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

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Summary:

The City Council is being asked to consider adoption of a Resolution (Attachment 1) awarding a construction contract to Cabifornia Inc., in an amount not to exceed $62,100 (Attachment 2), for the Avenida Victoria Sidewalk and Underpass (Phase II) Project No. 17355.

The project will replace two deteriorated railroad retaining walls above the pedestrian underpass on Avenida Victoria near the San Clemente Pier (Attachment 3). The walls have cracked, fractured, and shifted and require replacement to restore structural integrity.

The project is expected to take 15 working days, with the contractor also working during two separate scheduled weekend railroad closure windows.

Background:

The San Clemente Pier trolley stop and Metrolink station undercrossing provide an important pedestrian connection to the San Clemente Pier area and surrounding businesses. Two concrete masonry unit (CMU) retaining walls support the pedestrian underpass and contain the soil and railroad ballast above the walkway. Both walls have deteriorated over time, with visible cracking, fracturing, and displacement, and require replacement to restore structural integrity.

The City is also constructing improvements west of the existing trolley stop, including widening the sidewalk above the sloped planter adjacent to the trolley stop (Phase I). The proposed retaining wall replacement is part of Phase II improvements

Phase II includes demolishing and replacing two severely deteriorated CMU retaining walls located approximately eight feet from the nearest railroad rail. Each existing wall is approximately six inches thick, five feet high, and nine feet long. The replacement walls will be eight inches thick, solid-grouted CMU with a stucco finish and tile cap to match the surrounding walls.

Because the work is adjacent to active railroad tracks, the project will require applicable permits, agency review, and coordination with the railroad. Construction will be scheduled during two designated weekend railroad closure windows to facilitate demolition and construction while minimizing impacts to railroad operations.

Upon completion, the project will provide structurally sound retaining walls and improve the safety and long-term condition of this important pedestrian connection.

After completing the bid package, staff notified local contractors and advertised the project for competitive bidding through PlanetBids and the SC Times. Staff received six bids on October 1, 2026, ranging from $62,100 to $189,888. The bids are summarized in Table 1, Bid Summary, below.

Table 1. Bid Summary

Company Name	Company Location	Base Bid Amount
Cabifornia Inc.	Mission Viejo, CA	62,100
KOBA Construction	San Clemente, CA	99,000
Nelson Construction	San Clemente, CA	111,042
Leonida Builders, Inc.	Acton, CA	169,500
Elegant Construction Inc.	Irvine, CA	188,000
Global Builders Inc	Laguna Hills	189,888

Based on the lowest bid from Cabifornia Inc. and other construction costs, Table 2 summarizes the estimated total construction cost.

Table 2. Cost Summary

Administration and Project Management	$ 10,000
Construction Management and Inspection (Includes SCRRA Permitting)	$ 40,000
Construction	$ 62,100
Estimated Total Construction Cost	$ 112,100

As required by state law and City policy, the selected contractor must provide performance and payment bonds when executing the construction contract. Project plans and specifications are on file in the City Clerk’s office.

Considerations Identified by Staff:

The project area is constrained and heavily utilized by beach visitors, trolley users, pedestrians, and vehicular traffic. The existing headwalls are located directly above the pedestrian travel way and are structurally integrated with the retaining walls supporting the undercrossing. As a result, the headwalls cannot be abandoned without potentially creating conditions that could allow falling debris or further deteriorate the connecting retaining wall system.

Additionally, demolition without properly removing or replacing the headwalls could leave exposed reinforcing steel and concrete, increasing the potential for water infiltration, corrosion, and subsequent deterioration of the undercrossing structure and connecting retaining walls.

The proposed maintenance improvements will address these deficiencies by replacing the deteriorated headwalls and restoring the retaining wall system's integrity.

Council Options:

• Adopt Resolution No. 26-164 (Attachment 1), awarding the contract for the project to Cabifornia Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid, and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Sections 15301 and 15303 of the state CEQA Guidelines, Class 1 and Class 3, respectively, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract in an amount not to exceed $62,100.

• Modify and adopt Resolution No. 26-164 for the Avenida Victoria Sidewalk and Underpass (Phase II) Project.

• Continue the item and direct staff to provide additional information.

• Do not adopt Resolution No. 26-164 and put the project on hold.

Environmental Review/Analysis:

This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 1 and Class 3 of the State CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15301 and 15303, respectively - Existing Facilities and New Construction or Conversion.

Fiscal Impact:

The estimated construction cost of $112,100 is within the approved Phase II Avenida Victoria Sidewalk and Underpass budget from the Gas Tax RMRA Fund, Account No. 011-864-45300-000-17355. The approved budget for both Phase I and Phase II combined is $450,000, of which $410,000 is from the Gas Tax RMRA Fund and up to $40,000 from the San Clemente Pier Conservancy.

Potential Action(s):

recommendation

If the City Council concurs with the contents of the staff report, appropriate actions include:

1. Adopt Resolution 26-164 and find the Avenida Victoria Sidewalk and Underpass (Phase II) Project No. 17355 categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Sections 15301 and 15303 of the state CEQA Guidelines, Class 1 and Class 3, respectively (existing facilities and new construction or conversion);

2. Award the Avenida Victoria Sidewalk and Underpass Project No. 17355 construction contract to Cabifornia Inc. as the lowest responsible and responsive bidder; and

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Cabifornia Inc. in an amount not to exceed $62,100, in a form substantially similar to Contract No. 26-164.

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Attachment:

1. Resolution No. 26-164

2. Construction Contract with Cabifornia Inc. (without attachments; attachments on file with the City Clerk)

3. Location Map

Notification:

All Bidders.

Legislation Details