TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
Agreement with AGA Engineers, Inc. for Traffic Engineering Services to validate and reestablish speed limits citywide based on the provisions of Assembly Bill 43.
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2. Summary
The California Vehicle Code requires that local agencies conduct engineering studies to periodically validate or establish non-statutory speed limits on certain roadways. State Assembly Bill 43 allows for more flexibility and local control in setting those speed limits. This agreement would allow the consultant to assist the city in performing the work necessary to exercise the provisions of the assembly bill and reduce speed limits on city streets.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the agreement with AGA Engineers, Inc. in the total amount of $150,000, representing the cost of traffic engineering services of $82,252, plus a 22% contingency of $17,748, plus $50,000 for the purposes of exercising Optional Task 5 as set forth in Exhibit A of the professional services agreement; and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this agreement is $150,000 and will be funded through Transportation System (TSIP) (287):
287-5703-56999- Other Repair/Maint Services
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
Purpose
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires that local agencies conduct engineering studies to periodically validate or reestablish non-statutory speed limits on certain types of (non-local) roadways. These engineering studies are critical to ensure that posted speed limits are enforceable.
The City has a large network of arterial, secondary and collector streets with non-statutory posted speed limits. Approximately 186 roadway segments (speed zones) in the City require the periodic conduct of engineering and traffic surveys (E&TS) for speed limit validation. With many E&TS set to expire soon and AB 43 now in full effect, there is an opportunity to take advantage of the provisions of the legislation, including reducing posted speed limits and reducing the frequency of revalidation (and the staffing resources required to do so.)
State law dictates that speed surveys (effectively the speed at which motorists drive) determine a street’s posted speed limit, with limited ability to adjust downward based on local conditions. Prior to AB 43, streets also had to be resurveyed and revalidated every five to ten years. While the conduct of speed surveys will still be the basis of establishing non-statutory posted speed limits, AB 43 provides for more opportunities for downward speed adjustments, consideration of bicycle and pedestrian activity, and the designation of certain safety corridors - which are eligible for further speed reductions. Moreover, speed surveys can now be valid for up to 14 years if certain conditions are satisfied, reducing the frequency with which staff needs to conduct E&TS.
Procurement:
The City requested proposals for a consultant to prepare E&TS’s under the new state laws, recommend speed limits for each of the 186 speed zones citywide, and prepare a report. City staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) for traffic engineering services to qualified consultants on the City’s “bench” of on-call engineering consultants related to the project on December 9, 2025, with a submittal deadline of January 6, 2026. Three consultants submitted their proposals for consideration, all demonstrating qualifying experience.
A three-member selection committee was assembled to evaluate the consultants’ proposals based on project understanding and approach, relevant experience, project schedule, and cost. After evaluation of the three proposals, the selection committee selected AGA Engineers, Inc. as the top firm. AGA Engineers, Inc.’s proposal consistently demonstrated their experience with citywide speed limit assessments for many neighboring cities. Additionally, the cost proposal for AGA Engineers, Inc. was the lowest of the proposals submitted by the three firms for both the base scope of work and optional supplemental tasks. City Staff verified the qualifications of the AGA Engineers, Inc., with references provided for similar projects and received positive responses.
Scope of Work:
The work scope includes conducting a citywide E&TS for all 186 speed zones. It covers comprehensive data collection, field reviews, and analysis to develop speed limit recommendations in full compliance with all applicable guidelines and recent changes in law, including AB 43. The proposal also includes identifying and applying AB 43 opportunities such as MUTCD-compliant Safety Corridors and bicycle and pedestrian generators and preparing a stamped engineers report. Lastly, the proposal includes an Optional Task 5 to prepare signing and striping installation diagrams for any new signage and pavement markings in the field, if requested. Payment for Optional Task 5 will be made according to the actual cost of services requested (number of diagrams) by the City.
Staff recommends award of the agreement to AGA Engineers, Inc. The agreement includes a 22% contingency in the amount of $17,748 for unforeseen conditions which may arise, plus $50,000 for the purposes of exercising Optional Task 5 as set forth in Exhibit A of the professional services agreement. The total agreement amount is $150,000.
Funding for this contract is included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2025-26 Traffic Operations and Projects budget. No appropriation is being requested at this time.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Professional Services Agreement