The Laguna Woods City Council approved multiple actions on phase 9 of its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pedestrian accessibility improvement project, including temporary construction easements with private property owners, authorization of plans and specifications, a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) notice of exemption, and a construction contract award to CT and T Concrete Paving Incorporated.

City staff reported the phase 9 work is funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money and that the initial award for this phase is $250,000. After bids came in, staff said the lowest responsive bid left about $95,000 unspent; the city plans to run a second solicitation (phase 9B) to use remaining funds. The county has also approved an additional $250,000 award from a waitlist fund, bringing total available CDBG funding for the effort this fiscal year to $500,000.

The council approved a temporary construction easement with Church Lutheran of the Cross of Laguna Hills for work adjacent to a driveway crossing serving that property (Assessor’s Parcel Number 616‑041‑01) and a second temporary easement with a group of property owners identified in staff materials (Vision Star entities) for work near the driveway behind the shopping center referred to in materials as the Polly’s Pies center (APN 616‑221‑06). Staff said the two primary driveway crossings to be reconstructed are on westbound Santa Maria (near Polly’s Pies) and on westbound El Toro Road at a Lutheran church entrance; work includes small amounts of work on adjacent private property to get grades correct at reconstructed transitions.

The construction contract awarded to CT and T Concrete Paving Incorporated is for $104,418, with authorization for change orders up to 20% ($20,883.60). Staff recommended awarding all four alternative bid items included in the solicitation and said the project may be constructed in up to three separate bid solicitations and with up to three contractors to fully spend the CDBG funding. The expanded scope already included in the budget would add installation of accessible pedestrian signals at six intersections and additional sidewalk replacements on Moulton Parkway, El Toro Road and Santa Maria.

Why it matters: The multi‑year program has addressed curb ramps, driveway crossings and sidewalks citywide; staff estimated fewer than 10 driveway crossings remain and said audible pedestrian signal installations could be completed in about two to three years, with broader work on crossings and signals potentially done within roughly five years.

The council voted to approve the five recommended actions together: accept the temporary construction easements, approve plans and specifications, file a CEQA notice of exemption, and award the construction contract. Council member Cynthia moved the recommendation; a colleague seconded and the council voted in favor.