Agenda Item Wording:
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Award Design Contract - Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for design services for the fleet maintenance shop improvements and expansion project in the amount of $147,255.
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Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by:
Rehana Lustyan, Senior Project Manager, Rehana.Lustyan@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4176
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, Nick.Bartsch@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4410
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for professional design services for the Fleet Maintenance Shop Improvements & Expansion Project, CP0048, in the amount of $147,255.
Summary:
The Fleet Maintenance Shop Improvements and Expansion Project (CP0048) is an approved Capital Improvement Project that requires architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, and utility coordination design services to support upgrades to an existing building located at the City’s Corporation Yard. These improvements will bring the building up to current standards and provide infrastructure to support the Fleet Maintenance Division’s light-vehicle operation. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for professional design services in the amount of $147,255.
Background Discussion:
CP0048 - Fleet Shop Improvements & Expansion - is an approved capital project that provides funding to remodel the former Edison building at 432 N. Ben Maddox Way, located within the Corporation Yard, for use by the City’s Fleet Maintenance Division. To meet current building code requirements, the project includes upgrades to lighting, electrical infrastructure, air supply, shop heaters, fire sprinklers, and ADA accessibility. The improvements will support the relocation of the Fleet light-vehicle shop into the renovated facility, thus providing additional capacity in the existing shop for the Fleet Maintenance heavy equipment operation.
The project includes improvements to allow for the following primary elements:
Equipment and Bay Configuration
• Four vehicle bays, including one existing lift and three new lifts
• One motorcycle lift, tire balancer, and tire changer
• Per-bay utility requirements including 220V outlets, 110V outlets, oil reels, grease reels, air reels, and a vehicle exhaust extraction system
Shop-Wide Systems and Code Compliance
• Central air compressor distribution
• Electrical upgrades for additional amperage demands
• Natural Gas supply extension for shop heaters
• Oil and coolant delivery and disposal systems
• ADA access improvements, including a compliant parking stall
• Fire sprinklers, riser, fire department connection, and hydrant within 50 feet
• Building signage and exit identification
Environmental and Comfort Enhancements
• One additional evaporative cooler
• Six shop heaters
Optional Additive Items
• Epoxy flooring
• New employee access door
• Upgraded insulation for ceiling and one wall
4Creeks, Inc. was selected from the City’s approved on-call list to provide these design services. Their scope includes civil and architectural design; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering; structural engineering; internal utility coordination; preparation of plans and specifications; cost estimation; and support through the permitting process. The fee of $147,255 reflects the full design scope requested by staff.
Staff has reviewed the fee proposal submitted by 4Creeks, Inc. and confirmed that all hourly rates used in the development of the proposed fee are consistent with the classifications and amounts included in the firm’s current on-call contract and rate schedule. The rates used in the June 15, 2026 proposal match the approved FY 2026-2027 rate schedule for the City’s on-call Civil Engineering contract renewal.
Staff evaluated 4Creeks’ proposal for clarity to ensure compliance with the City’s on-call agreements and expectations. The proposed fees were found to be reasonable and sufficiently documented, lump-sum subconsultant amounts are supported by appropriate assumptions, and the overall level of effort by task aligns with the project scope. Staff engaged in scope and fee discussions with 4Creeks to refine several elements, including clarifications related to the mechanical system design assumptions and the extent of utility coordination services. All clarifications requested were provided, and the final proposed fee reflects the agreed-upon scope.
While the City is currently undergoing the Corporation Yard master planning process, to keep up with the increasing demands of vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair, there is an immediate need for additional space within the Fleet Maintenance Division. The master plan is not expected to be completed until the end of 2027, but given the relatively good condition of the building in question, its location within the Corporation Yard, and its current configuration, it is extremely unlikely that the staff would consider alternative uses for this building. Additionally, while the potential vacation of certain operational uses of the existing Corporation Yard will be evaluated through the master planning process, any changes would not be immediate and would be transitioned over time as alternative facilities would require design, development and construction. Given the existing infrastructure, Fleet Maintenance operations are not anticipated to be relocated outside of the existing Corporation Yard at any point in the near future.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: The design services fee of $147,255 will be funded through the multi‑fund allocation programmed for CP0048, which includes funds from the General Fund (001), Buildings Fund (401), Airport Fund (411), Wastewater Fund (431), Solid Waste Fund (441), Transit Capital Fund (452), Storm Sewer Maintenance Fund (481), and Fleet Maintenance Fund (501). No additional appropriation is requested at this time. Future maintenance and operating costs resulting from the completed improvements will be incorporated into the Fleet Division’s operating budget following construction.
Prior Council Action:
January 20, 2026 - Council authorized the City Manager to execute a one-year contract, with the option for four additional one-year renewals, with 4Creeks, Inc., A & M Consulting Engineers, CCME, Inc., and NV5, Inc. for on-call Construction Management and Resident Engineer services in support of the City’s Capital Improvement Program. The annual contract amount for each consultant shall not exceed $500,000 without additional Council authorization.
July 28, 2025 - Under RFQ-24-25-09, the City executed an on-call Civil Engineering professional services contract with 4Creeks, Inc. (Contract C26011), effective July 28, 2025 through July 27, 2026, with the option for four one-year renewals. A 2026-2027 renewal was subsequently issued, along with the updated FY 26-27 hourly rate schedule for continued on-call Civil Engineering services.
Alternatives:
1. Do not authorize the agreement with 4Creeks, Inc., which will delay the project.
2. Request proposals from other on-call design consultants, which will extend the schedule.
Neither option is recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for design services for the Fleet Maintenance Shop Improvements & Expansion Project (CP0048) in the amount of $147,255.
Environmental Assessment Status: The proposed action is limited to authorizing a professional services agreement for design work only. No physical improvements are approved as part of this action. A Notice of Exemption (NOE) documenting the project’s eligibility under the Class 1 Categorical Exemption has been filed, and staff is awaiting the mailed receipt from the Tulare County Clerk.
CEQA Review: The future construction work associated with the Fleet Maintenance Shop Improvements & Expansion Project qualifies for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption (CEQA Guidelines §15301, Existing Facilities), as the project involves interior and minor exterior alterations to an existing structure with negligible expansion of use. A Notice of Exemption (NOE) has been filed for this determination, and staff is awaiting the mailed receipt from the Tulare County Clerk.
Deadline for Action: 07/20/2026
Attachments:
1. 4Creeks Proposal - Fleet Maintenance Shop Remodel V4 (June 15, 2026)
2. 4Creeks Fee Worksheet - Fleet Maintenance Shop Remodel V4
3. 4Creeks On-Call A/E Rate Schedule
4. On-Call Professional Services Contract
5. Disclosure Form
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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