Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Agreement with John Boylan Engineering, Inc. for the Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Historic Monument Project
[County Project No. P35I1, Project File No. E5108]
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with John Boylan Engineering, Inc. for the Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Historic Monument Project, in the amount of $144,935; and
B) The Director of Public Works to:
1. Execute subsequent change orders to grant time extensions for project completion and payment up to a maximum aggregate amount not to exceed $14,494, or approximately 10% of the agreement amount; and
2. Approve payment up to the not-to-exceed amount of $159,429 for items requiring adjustment based on unit bid prices without execution of a change order; and
3. File a Notice of Exemption for a California Environmental Quality Act Categorical Exemption.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 25, 2019, the Board of Supervisors accepted the Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Feasibility Study (the “Study”), which proposes a 90-mile-long multi-use regional trail that traverses the route used by Gaspar de Portolá’s 1769 expedition through what is now San Mateo County. During the expedition, Portolá’s crew became lost and depleted all supplies; local Native Americans rescued, fed, and guided the expedition from village to village. With help from the Ohlone people, the Portolá expedition recorded the first sighting of the San Francisco Bay by Europeans.
Previously, the State of California designated State Historic Monuments at each of the expedition’s campsites-which were located adjacent to Native American villages-but the monuments did not acknowledge the Native Americans themselves. The Study provides design recommendations for overlook and trailside monuments at each site that will more accurately tell the story of the expedition and the Ohlone’s contributions. The Parks Department has chosen four monument sites within the County parks system to improve including: Northern Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail, Hillcrest site in Millbrae, Crystal Springs Trail at the Crystal Springs Dam, and Tunitas Creek Beach (“Project”).
To fund this effort, State Senator Josh Becker secured $500,000 that was included in the State of California’s budget and made available to the County via a grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
On May 7, 2024, this Board adopted Resolution No. 080333, which authorized the San Mateo County Parks Department to take all actions necessary to implement and/or effectuate the funding grant. Grant Agreement SG-41-013 was signed by the County and the California Department of Parks and Recreation on May 10, 2024. The grant funds have been awarded to the County with the Project grant ending on June 30, 2027.
On September 23, 2025, this Board adopted Resolution No. 081441, which adopted plans and specifications, including conformance with prevailing wage scale requirements and called for sealed proposals for the Project.
DISCUSSION:
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, bids were accepted for the Project and subsequently referred to Department of Public Works (Department) for checking and recommendation. The bid of:
John Boylan Engineering, Inc.
134 Rock Harbor Lane
Foster City, CA 94404
at $144,935 was the lowest responsible bid received for the work. The Engineer’s Estimate was $170,000. A summary of the bids received is attached as Exhibit “A”.
Department staff has determined that this project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for Implementation, which provides that construction or placement of minor structures accessory to existing institutional facilities is exempt from review. We request this Board’s authorization to file a Notice of Exemption for a CEQA Categorical Exemption for this project.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The proposed installation of State Historic Monuments and interpretive signs at the expedition sites will facilitate a more accurate narrative of local history, particularly regarding the efforts and contributions of the Ohlone people to the Portolá expedition in 1769. The San Mateo County Parks Department is committed to using its resources, including at its parks and through its programs, to share stories of the Ohlone people and ensure visitors to the parks are aware of the native inhabitants of this County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost for construction is $159,429, which includes authorization for up to $14,494 in change orders as the work is bid on a unit price basis. The contingency is used to pay the contractor for any unforeseen conditions not anticipated in the construction agreement documents. Sufficient funds are included in the Parks Department’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and allocated in the Department’s FY2025-26 Capital Projects Budget for this Project.
Attachment:
Exhibit “A” - Summary of Bids Received