TO: JAMIE EARL, ACTING CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: MAY 12, 2026
Reviewed by:
Acting City Manager: JE
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR PUBLIC WORKS INSPECTION SERVICES RELATED TO CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE IMPROVEMENTS ON CLAREMONT BOULEVARD (FUNDING SOURCE: APPLICANT - CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE)
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SUMMARY
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is undertaking required infrastructure improvements along Claremont Boulevard between Foothill Boulevard and Sixth Street. Work within the public right-of-way includes, but is not limited to, complete streets enhancements, installation of utility laterals, undergrounding of utilities, construction of an underground pedestrian arcade, and landscaping improvements.
Due to the scope and complexity of construction within this corridor, a street closure was necessary. To ensure a timely construction pace, and maintain compliance with closure requirements, dedicated inspection services are necessary. The City of Claremont has been utilizing Interwest Consulting Group through an existing on-call services agreement with a budget of $50,000. However, given the scale of the Claremont Boulevard improvements, which also include extensive roadway construction, a separate agreement for project-specific inspection services is required.
CMC as the project developer will be responsible for funding the inspection services, with a total budget allocation of $200,847.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $200,847 to provide contract inspection services for the Claremont Boulevard improvements associated with the Claremont McKenna College Development projects.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The total cost of the agreement is $200,847. The applicant will be responsible for the full contract amount and for the staff costs required to administer the contract. The full contract amount has been collected and placed in a deposit account.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this contract is estimated at $964 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
In December 2016, the Claremont Colleges Services (formerly Claremont University Consortium) requested City Council approval of a subdivision map for approximately 30 acres in the City of Claremont to facilitate the future development of the Colleges’ East Campus project. The City Council subsequently approved Parcel Map (PM) 70243, subdividing the site located on the east side of Claremont Boulevard between Arrow Route and Foothill Boulevard.
The East Campus project was ultimately approved for the development of a sports complex, including athletic fields, supporting facilities, and parking accommodations (Sports Bowl). Since that time, Claremont McKenna College (CMC) has assumed ownership of the East Campus project and is now responsible for completing the associated public improvements along the east side of Claremont Boulevard (Sports Bowl frontage).
In addition, CMC received approval for the construction of the Roberts Day Science Center, located at the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Claremont Boulevard. As a condition of approval, CMC is required to implement complete streets improvements along its project frontage, consistent with those planned for the east side, and to extend these improvements north to Sixth Street within CMC’s boundaries to Ninth Street.
Beyond these required improvements, CMC is also constructing an underground pedestrian arcade and installing utility infrastructure beneath Claremont Boulevard to support the new developments, along with related landscaping enhancements. Due to the scope and complexity of this work, a temporary closure of Claremont Boulevard was necessary. Given the extent of construction activities and the impacts of the street closure, continuous on-site inspection is essential to ensure that all safety measures are properly maintained throughout the duration of the project and to ensure the construction of the roadway improvements (complete streets) is implemented per plan.
To satisfy this need, staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $200,847 to provide contract inspection services for the Claremont Boulevard improvements associated with the Claremont McKenna College Development projects.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: General Plan and City Council Priorities.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Jasmin Hurtado, P.E.
Community Development Director Associate Engineer
Reviewed by:
Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
City Engineer