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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of Revised Final Plans and Specifications for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project; (2) Award of a Construction Contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc. as the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder in the Amount of $1,253,149 for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project; (3) Approval of a Change Order Not-to-Exceed $133,746 with Toro Enterprises, Inc. for the Revised Final Plans and Specifications; (4) Authorization to the Public Works Director and the City Engineer to Approve Additional Change Orders to the Contract in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $313,288 (25%) to Cover Contingency Costs; (5) Authorization of a Task Order in an Amount Not to Exceed $130,511 with Transtech for Construction Inspection Services for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project, Pursuant to the City’s On-Call Agreement with Transtech; (6) Authorization to the Public Works Director and City Engineer to Approve Amendments to the Transtech Task Order in an Additional Amount Not to Exceed $32,628 to Cover Contingency Costs (25%).
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Meeting Date: November 9, 2026
Contact/Dept.: Thomas Check/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5627
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/04/2026)
Dept Approval: Nick Zornes, Acting Public Works Director (10/23/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve revised final plans and specifications for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project; (2) award a construction contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $1,253,149 for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project; (3) approve a change order not-to-exceed $133,746 with Toro Enterprises, Inc. for the revised final plans and specifications; and (4) authorize the Public Works Director and City Engineer to approve additional change orders to the contract in an amount not-to-exceed $313,288 (25%) to cover contingency costs; (5) authorize a task order in an amount not to exceed $130,511 with Transtech for construction inspection services for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project, pursuant to the City’s on-call Agreement with Transtech; (6) authorize the Public Works Director and City Engineer to approve amendments to the Transtech task order in an additional amount not-to-exceed $32,628 to cover contingency costs (25%).
BACKGROUND
The Better Overland Project (Project) is an active transportation corridor improvement project that begins at the intersection of Overland Avenue & Venice Boulevard and extends southward to Playa Street, Hannum Avenue, and Slauson Avenue. The Project connects to the Safer Fox Hills Project at the intersection of Hannum Avenue & Slauson Avenue and eventually terminates at the Culver City Transit Center at Westfield Culver City. Proposed improvements include:
• New concrete-protected bike lanes totaling more than 2.5 miles.
• A new signalized pedestrian crosswalk at the Julian Dixon Library.
• New traffic signals at Overland Avenue & Kelmore Avenue/Ranch Road and Overland Avenue & Sawtelle Boulevard.
• A new sidewalk on the south side of Slauson Avenue between Hannum Avenue and the State Route 90 on/off-ramp, closing a gap in the City’s sidewalk network.
• Sidewalk widening on Playa Street near El Rincon Elementary School.
• Repair of damaged sidewalks at various locations.
• Sidewalk-facing streetlighting along the length of the Project corridor.
• Installation of new or reconstruction of existing ADA ramps to meet current City standards.
Together, these investments will transform Overland Avenue into an Active Transportation Corridor consistent with the City’s General Plan, creating a connected corridor that encourages walking and biking as practical and enjoyable ways to travel through the City.
The City Council approved the conceptual plans for the Better Overland Project at its May 28, 2024, meeting. The plans were developed after extensive community outreach and engagement conducted earlier in 2024. Additional project outreach was conducted in Summer 2025, and staff continue to provide regular updates at Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and Mobility Subcommittee meetings.
DISCUSSION
Revised Final Plans and Specifications
Staff is implementing the Project in phases. Phase 1 includes new protected bike lanes on Overland Avenue from Venice Boulevard to Culver Boulevard and a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk at the Julian Dixon Library. The City Council approved the final plans and specifications for Phase 1 and authorized staff to post a Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) for construction at its January 27, 2026, meeting. Council also directed staff to revise the design to use concrete barriers, where feasible, in place of flexible posts to separate the bike lanes from vehicular traffic.
Staff has incorporated this direction into the revised plans. While updating the plans, staff also made additional refinements, summarized below:
• The previously approved Phase 1 plans proposed to replace the southbound right-turn lanes at Overland Avenue & Washington Boulevard and Overland Avenue & Culver Boulevard with shared through/right turn lanes. The revised final plans restore southbound right-turns lanes at each intersection. These modifications are recommended after additional operational analysis was performed at each intersection.
• The previously approved Phase 1 plans include on-street parking on the east side of Overland Avenue between Culver Boulevard and Palm Court Way. The revised final plans designate one of these spaces as an on-street accessible (ADA) parking space to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
• Incorporated additional electrical work required to energize the new signalized pedestrian crosswalk at the Julian Dixon Library.
• Incorporated localized paving to make the street ready for the new concrete barriers.
The full revised final plans are available on the project web page at www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland <http://www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland>.
Construction Contract Award and Change Order
Staff posted a Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) for the Project on PlanetBids on February 12, 2026. On April 2, 2026, the City’s Purchasing Division opened bids. One bid was received from Toro Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $1,253,149.
Staff reviewed the bid and determined it to be complete and responsive. Staff also found Toro Enterprises, Inc. to be a responsible bidder. The firm has successfully completed several projects for the City, including the Robertson Boulevard Complete Street Project and the MOVE Culver City Downtown Corridor Eastern Segment Project.
Staff requested a price proposal from Toro Enterprises, Inc. for the work needed to construct the project based upon the revised final plans and specifications. Staff reviewed the proposal against the original bid values and bid amounts on recently completed projects and found the pricing to be competitive and fair. Accordingly, staff recommends that the City Council approve a change order in an amount not-to-exceed $133,746 concurrent with construction contract award.
If approved by Council, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, weather permitting. Due to the long lead times associated with procuring traffic signal equipment, the signalized crosswalk at the Julian Dixon Library is anticipated to be complete in late 2027. All other improvements are expected to be substantially complete by summer 2027.
Construction Inspection Services
On July 10, 2023, staff presented City Council the results of the request for qualifications process conducted for on-call traffic engineering, civil engineering, construction management, inspection services, facility maintenance, geotechnical, and hazardous material testing. In response, the City Council approved five-year (2023-2028) professional services agreements with 26 individual firms, including Transtech.
An RFP for Construction Inspection Services was sent to all seven consultants on the 2023-2028 on-call Construction Management and Inspection list. Six responses were received on October 30, 2026. Staff reviewed all proposals and determined Transtech’s proposal to best meet the needs of the City for construction of Phase 1 of the Project.
In accordance with City Council Resolution 2026-R057 and the on-call process detailed in the July 10, 2023 staff report, all expenditures with a particular on-call consultant in excess of the Purchasing Officer’s Purchasing Authority (currently $100,000) in a fiscal year must be approved by the City Council. The proposed expenditures with Transtech exceed this threshold and therefore must be approved by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-R035 finding that the project is categorically and statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Project is statutorily exempt pursuant to PRC Section 21080.25, as it (1) includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities that improve safety, access, or mobility, including new facilities, within the public right of way and (2) improves customer information and wayfinding for transit riders, bicyclists, or pedestrians within the public right-of-way. The Project also meets the criteria required to assert the exemption under PRC Section 21080.25, as it (1) does not induce single-occupancy vehicle trips, add additional highway lanes, or widen highways (2) does not require demolition of affordable housing units, does not induce single-occupancy vehicle trips or add any auxiliary lanes, and (3) will be carried out by a skilled and trained workforce. The Project is also categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (14 CCR § 15301), the City Council hereby finds the Project exempt from CEQA pursuant to Class 1 - Existing Facilities Categorical Exemption.
The revisions described in this report do not alter the project in a way that affects these determinations.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Inclusive of contingencies, the cost of Phase 1 of the Project is $1,863,322. The Project is funded by the City’s Mobility Improvement Fund, Los Angeles County Measure M, and the Culver City Public Finance Authority (PFA).
Funding Source Amount
437.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PF025 $331,149.00
437.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS029 $1,000,000.00
423.CP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS029 $224,796.00
485.RP.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS032 $530,000.00
499.PF.80000.000.000.000.730100.PS044 $3,000,000.00
Total $5,085,945.00
ATTACHMENTS
The revised Phase 1 plans can be viewed at the project webpage at
<http://www.culvercity.gov/betteroverland>.
recommended action
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Approve revised final plans and specifications for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project, CIP No. PS029;
2. Award a construction contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $1,253,149 for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project;
3. Approve a change order in an amount not-to-exceed $133,746 with Toro Enterprises, Inc. for the revised final plans and specifications;
4. Authorize the Public Works Director and City Engineer to approve additional change orders to the contract in an amount not-to-exceed $313,288 (25%) to cover contingency costs;
5. Authorize a task order in an amount not to exceed $130,511 with Transtech for construction inspection services for Phase 1 of the Better Overland Project, pursuant to the City’s on-call Agreement with Transtech;
6. Authorize the Public Works Director and City Engineer to approve amendments to the Transtech task order in an additional amount not-to-exceed $32,628 to cover contingency costs (25%).
7. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
8. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
