DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steve E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement for West Fresno County Climate Adaption Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Arup US, Inc., to develop and prepare a comprehensive safety plan, effective upon execution which includes an approximately one-year and eight-month base contract and two optional one-year extensions, with a total cost not to exceed $1,348,601.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will authorize an agreement with Arup US, Inc. (Arup), to assist the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) staff to perform a comprehensive study of the western unincorporated communities (west of Highways 99 and 41 to the County line) and overlapping cities, to plan for the resilience of transportation infrastructure due to flooding, drought, subsidence, and other climate-related causes. This item pertains to locations in District 1 and District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended action; however, Department staff would return to your Board for further direction on alternative options to obtain consulting services. Your Board may direct staff to review and renegotiate certain terms of the recommended Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation for the recommended Agreement is $1,348,601 based on ARUP’s cost proposal and will be funded through a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) through the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. The remaining $151,399 from the grant award will be used for County staff time. The County is required to fund an 11.47% match for the project in the amount of $194,341, which will be paid out of the County’s Road Fund. Total project cost is anticipated at $1,694,341. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Design Org 45104513 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
Fresno County was awarded $1,500,000 from Caltrans through the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program, and the grant application was approved by the Board on September 24, 2024. The grant requires an 11.47% ($194,341) County match, making the total project funding $1,694,341. The grant will support the County’s efforts to develop a Western Fresno County Climate Adaptation Plan. This plan will identify specific strategies in high-risk areas to mitigate the risks of flooding and subsidence. The flood risks and areas of subsidence have been studied previously in the Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan, but specific strategies were not identified. The goal of this Climate Adaptation Planning Grant is to identify specific solutions and alternatives that can be implemented when funding is available for priority projects.
Conducting this study and developing a plan for improving resilience of specific infrastructure assets aligns with multiple goals and policies adopted by the General Plan, including Goal HS-A, “To protect public health and safety by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the effects of natural or technological disasters.” More specific policies in the General Plan that support this plan are HS-C.6, HS-C.8, HS-G.1, and HS-G.3.
On June 30, 2025, the Department issued Request for Proposal (RFP) PWP25-028. Bidders were asked to demonstrate their capabilities and qualifications, including experience with Climate Adaption Plans and/or similar plans, outreach program development and project management. Bidders also were asked to provide examples of safety plans establishing appropriate experience in project management and administration, including project timelines and organizational plans, goals and philosophies. The RFP notice was sent to 205 prospective bidders identified by Department staff as possible interested parties and/or past bid participants. The RFP was also published in the Business Journal and on the County’s website.
The RFP closed on August 15, 2025, and six bid responses were received and reviewed by an evaluation committee. The committee was comprised of Department staff: a Division Manager, a Principal Planner, a Planner, two Staff Analysts and Principal Administrative Analyst from Fresno County Administrative Office and an Associate Professor of the Department of Geography and City & Regional Planning at California State University Fresno. The proposals were each evaluated on their merits with respect to capability, qualifications, education, outreach, and project management. After reviewing the proposals, the evaluation committee ranked the proposals and three firms, Arup, Stantec and AECOM, were invited to interview. All firms are experienced and qualified to perform this project. However, Arup scored higher on the rating criteria stated in the RFP. Accordingly, Arup was unanimously selected as the most qualified bidder to provide the consulting services. Arup includes the firms of Provost & Pritchard, WRT and Urban Diversity Design as sub-consultants.
Arup demonstrated thoroughness in its proposal and made recommendations that were appropriate for the County. Arup also has extensive experience in developing safety programs and plans in numerous jurisdictions. Throughout its proposal and interview, Arup demonstrated its ability to assist the County in developing an action plan and making recommendations that were relevant and appropriate for Fresno County.
The agreement term is one-year and eight months to align with the anticipated timeline for completion of the project. Optional one-year extensions are included should additional time be needed. The finalized Action Plan is scheduled to be presented to your Board in mid- 2027 for adoption.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Caltrans is providing oversight on this plan.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #10, September 24, 2024
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Arup US, Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia