Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc., a Qualified Consultant for the Design and Development of the Little Saigon Archway.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Approve the professional services agreement with Moore Iacofano Goltman, Inc. (MIG) to design and develop the Little Saigon Archway in an amount not to exceed $55,268.00 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement on the City’s behalf.
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BACKGROUND
Little Saigon is commonly recognized along Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia and Brookhurst Streets, though it has never been formally designated as a cultural, business, or tourist district. Despite its regional influence, the area lacks a defining gateway or archway, a feature commonly found in other cultural districts.
In 2023, the City partnered with the County of Orange to pursue an archway project, which included a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The effort was paused in November 2023 after concerns from former Supervisor Andrew Do’s office regarding underestimated design costs.
In June 2025, at Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen’s request, the City Council authorized restarting the project with a consultant to refine cost estimates, assess locations along Bolsa Avenue, and develop an updated concept.
The City issued an RFQ on July 24, 2025, seeking qualified design firms. Five firms responded by the August 18 deadline. An Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Nguyen and Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo reviewed submissions, interviewed finalists on September 16, 2025, and selected MIG as the recommended consultant to lead the project’s design and development.
At the October 15, 2025 City Council meeting, the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation was presented to the full council. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen motioned with Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo’s second, for staff to collaborate with MIG to develop cost estimates for the technical and administrative aspects of the archway’s conceptual design. Staff worked with MIG to outline the project’s scope, including an organizational chart and timeline, and to draft a Professional Services Agreement for City Council review.
The draft agreement (Attachment 1) includes the project scope, phases, expected deliverables, fee schedule, MIG proposal, and the organizational chart for council consideration. Based on the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation for a Vietnamese community engagement liaison during finalist interviews, MIG has amended their Statement of Qualification and Proposal to reflect the addition of a community engagement lead.
Project Proposal Phases 1- 3 and Timeline
The timeline of the development and creation of conceptual designs is anticipated to take approximately 4 months and will include the following 3 phases:
Phase 1 - Project Initiation, Management, and Data Collection $8,375.00
Deliverables - Phase 1
• Kick-off meeting agenda and minutes
• Project schedule
• Monthly meeting summaries
• Records research summary
• Monthly progress reports and invoices
• Caltrans/City coordination documentation
Phase 2 - Concept Development Alternatives $33,885.00
Deliverables - Phase 2
• Conceptual plans and monument forms
• Color renderings and elevations
• Material and lighting palette
• Fabricator coordination summary
• Itemized cost estimates for each alternative
• Comparative cost matrix
Phase 3 - Design Presentation and Community Engagement $9,940.00
Mark-Up on Sub-Consultants and Direct Costs $3,068.00
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS (3 PHASES) $55,268.00
The approval of this Professional Services Agreement with MIG includes the 3 Phases as described above but does not include Future Phases 4 - 6 described below, which are necessary to bring the project to completion.
Future Phases of the Little Saigon Gateway Project (Not Included)
Future phases of this project are described in the revised MIG Little Saigon Gateway Proposal (Attachment 2) as follows:
Phase 4 - Design Development (Not Included)
• Civil Engineering
• Geotechnical Investigation
• Topographic Survey
• Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
• Structural Development
• Lighting and Electrical Development
• Architectural Refinement
Phase 5 - Construction Documents (Not Included)
Preparation of all documents, specifications, construction estimates, and coordinated technical reviews.
Phase 6 - Construction Support (Not Included)
Support during the construction phase including submittal reviews, site visits, and clarifications with the contractor responsible for construction of the archway.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the development and design of the Little Saigon Archway is budgeted in Economic Development - Contractual Services, Account Number 450-11501-43090.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The design of the Little Saigon Archway is an important step toward officially recognizing the area’s cultural and historical significance. With a refined scope, clear cost expectations, and an experienced consultant selected, the project is ready to move forward to its next phase. Approval of the draft Professional Services Agreement will allow the development and conceptual design to create an iconic cultural landmark that reflects and celebrates the Westminster Little Saigon Community.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. for $55,268.00
2. Revised Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. Little Saigon Gateway Proposal
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager