Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City approves design, geotech contracts for Marguerite Recreation Center parking expansion amid funding questions
Summary
Mission Viejo council approved design and geotechnical contracts for a 243‑stall surface parking expansion at Marguerite Recreation Center, approving up to $340,790 for preconstruction services while councilmembers pushed staff for a funding plan to cover an estimated $6M project cost.
The Mission Viejo City Council on April 28 approved awarding design services to RGM Design Group (up to $283,490) and geotechnical services to GMU Engineers & Geologists (up to $57,300) for the Marguerite Recreation Center surface parking expansion, a project staff estimates will increase the site from roughly 202 stalls to about 441.
Council heard a staff report describing outreach to nearby residents, revisions to the plan (eliminating a new public entry at Via Santa Clara except for special events, adding landscape buffering, and adding a right‑turn‑only exit for events), and a project timeline that would return to council on July 14 with completed construction documents and, if authorized, move to the public bid process with construction anticipated in early fall and completion in early 2027.
Several residents urged the council to look beyond a surface solution. Tom Moore said the proposal is a "necessary stopgap" but urged planning for future structured parking and mixed‑use redevelopment in the Oso Creek corridor to meet long‑term demand. Kathy Palmer encouraged sustainable design elements — permeable paving, runoff management and solar canopies — and Larry Gilbert raised concerns about the city’s consultant‑selection practices and said he planned to ask the grand jury to audit purchase orders.
Councilmember Cynthia Vasquez pressed staff repeatedly on funding: the adopted budget currently includes $2 million for the project, but staff’s engineer estimate remains in the $6.0–$6.3 million range. Deputy/city staff responded that staff is evaluating one‑time resources and will present mid‑cycle budget updates for council consideration on May 26; the staff noted the intent to match one‑time funds to capital projects where possible.
On a motion and second on April 28, the council approved the staff recommendation to award the design and geotechnical contracts. The motion passed 3–1; Councilmember Vasquez voted no and one councilmember was absent. Staff said the city may stop work before bidding with limited sunk costs (design contracts would be the first expenditures) and will return with bid documents on July 14 and with a construction‑award recommendation after the summer break if council authorizes bidding.
The city staff recommended the surface expansion to address immediate parking shortfalls during events at the Natadori aquatic facility, tennis center and Oso Creek Golf Course, while leaving open the possibility of future structured parking or broader redevelopment as part of the Oso Creek Vision Plan.
What’s next: Staff will return July 14 with bid documents and a request to begin bidding; the council will consider the mid‑cycle budget update on May 26 for potential funding sources to close the gap between the $2 million currently budgeted and the project estimate.
