To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Contract with Questa Engineering Corporation for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve and authorize the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Questa Engineering Corporation in the amount of $503,393.45 through December 31, 2027, for engineering, environmental, surveying, and related services associated with a future Geyserville Community Plaza Project.
B) Delegate to the Director of SPI the authority to execute up to two, no-cost increase, one-year extensions to the agreement.
end
Executive Summary:
The Geyserville Community Plaza Project (21CP40048AA/W24300) is a community infrastructure initiative led by Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) to transform a County-owned parcel in downtown Geyserville into a safe, accessible, and vibrant public plaza. The future project proposes to improve the existing Park and Ride lot into a multi-functional space that enhances public parking, provides event space, and serves users of the Great Redwood Trail. SPI is requesting the Board approve and authorize the Director of SPI to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Questa Engineering Corporation to perform design, engineering, environmental documentation, and permit preparation for the future project. If approved, the contract will have a not-to-exceed value of $503,393.45, a term concluding on December 31, 2027, and the option for two, one-year no-cost extensions.
Discussion:
The Geyserville Community Plaza Project (21CP40048AA) is located in the unincorporated community of Geyserville, in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. With a population of 804 residents, Geyserville is a popular destination for artists, cyclists, and tourists and is known for its restaurants, shops, and connection to Sonoma County’s wine industry. The town currently lacks any formal public open space within four miles of the downtown core.
The proposed project site is a 1.18-acre County-owned parcel centrally located in Geyserville and currently functions as a Park and Ride facility for Sonoma County Transit, providing access to local businesses and services. In 2008, the site was improved with parking infrastructure and minimal plaza features including signage and lighting. Since its development, the site has been used for local events including the town’s Fall Colors and the annual Holiday Tractor Parade.
Recognizing a longstanding community desire for a central gathering space and enhanced amenities, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Geyserville Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and local stakeholders, initiated a visioning process for the site. This resulted in a proposed Geyserville Community Plaza Master Plan in 2023, a conceptual plan that outlines a safe, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable vision for transforming the site into a more functional and accessible community space.
On June 2, 2025, SPI issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified firms to provide engineering design, environmental and permitting services to implement the proposed master plan. The RFP was advertised through Sonoma County’s Supplier Portal, with invitations sent to approximately 842 firms. As a result of the solicitation efforts, SPI received proposals from the following five firms:
• Questa Engineering Corporation - Petaluma, CA
• Carlile Macy - Santa Rosa, CA
• Gates Studio - Walnut Creek, CA
• Quadriga Landscape Architecture and Planning, Inc. - Santa Rosa, CA
• Integra Landscape Architecture, Inc. - Santa Rosa, CA
Proposals were evaluated and ranked on the following criteria: demonstrated ability to perform the services described, experience, qualifications and expertise, quality of work as verified by references, a demonstrated history of providing similar services to comparable entities, willingness to accept the County’s contract terms, project schedule, and locality of proposer. Following the comprehensive assessment, Questa Engineering Corporation was selected as the highest-ranking proposer due to its proven capability to fulfill all requested services, strong qualifications, and extensive experience with similar public infrastructure projects.
To support the funding structure, while achieving project goals, the proposed contract has been split into three phases:
• Phase 1: Portions of tasks scheduled to occur before March of 2026 (funding approved).
• Phase 2: Portions of tasks scheduled to occur after March of 2026.
• Phase 3: Construction Oversight.
On March 26, 2024, the Board adopted a resolution accepting grant funding from the California Coastal Conservancy in the amount of $400,000 for this project. Phase 1 will cost approximately $246,737.83. Phase 1 is the only work guaranteed in the proposed contract. Phase 2 and Phase 3 of contract are contingent upon receipt of $1,000,000 of grant funding from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s Matching Grant Program. On August 22, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District accepted recommendation of this project into the 2022 Matching Grant Program, but funding has not yet been approved. The Director of SPI will have authority to direct the consultant to proceed with Phase 2 and Phase 3 of this contract, contingent upon approval of funding.
SPI requests the Board approve and authorize the Director of SPI to execute an Agreement with Questa Engineering Corporation to provide design, engineering, environmental review, and construction support for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project. If approved, the Agreement will have a not-to-exceed amount of $503,393.45 and a term ending on December 31, 2027, with the option to extend up to two additional years.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
3/26/24 Item #22 - Acceptance of a Grant Award from the California Coastal Conservancy for 2024-0141 Development of a Geyserville Community Plaza
8/22/23 Item #33 - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space 2022 Matching Grant Program Round 2 Funding Recommendations.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$246,737.83 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other (Coastal Conservancy) |
$246,737.83 |
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$246,737.83 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations for Phase 1 of this contract are available in the FY 2025-26 Geyserville Community Plaza Capital Project (23051-40806000). The total amount payable by County, including the fixed fee, shall not exceed $503,393.45. The $246,737.83 required for Phase 1 of the contract will be funded by the Coastal Conservancy grant that has already been received. Phase 2 and Phase 3 of this contract will be funded by an Ag & Open Space grant that has been accepted by the Board of Directors into the matching grant program but is pending final approval by the Board of Directors of the grant agreement, conservation easement and other required documents. The Consultant will not proceed with Phases 2 or 3 unless directed by SPI upon receipt of funding.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
1 - Geyserville Community Plaza - Contract Agreement
2 - Exhibit A - Questa Engineering Corporation Scope of Work
3 - Exhibit B - Questa Engineering Corporation Scope of Work by Phases
4 - Exhibit C - Insurance Requirements
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.