The Altum GroupPrepared for:
Mr. Bryan McKinney, PE
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
PLANNING | ENGINEERING | SURVEY | ENVIRONMENTAL
Qualifications to Provide
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
June 11, 2019
Prepared by:
The Altum Group
73-710 Fred Waring Drive
Suite 219
Palm Desert, CA 92260
73-710 Fred Waring Dr., Ste. 219
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.346.4750 Tel
760.340.0089 Fax
www.thealtumgroup.com
June 11, 2019
Mr. Bryan McKinney, PE
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Subject: Qualifications to Provide On-Call Construction Surveying Services
Dear Mr. McKinney;
The Altum Group is pleased to provide this proposal to the City of La Quinta (City) to provide construction
surveying services on an as-needed basis. Our team has experience providing these exact survey services
throughout the Coachella Valley, including a number of projects within the City of La Quinta. We have a
staff fully experienced in all aspects of construction staking, from the preparation of the data input for the
points to be set, together with the cut-sheets and contractor interface. As you review our qualifications,
our enthusiasm for this opportunity and the commitment of our firm will be clearly recognized. Key points
about our team include:
Direct experience in the Coachella Valley – Altum has a strong history of performing construction
surveying/staking throughout the regional area. This includes projects in La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral
City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs.
On-Call contracts – Altum has a history of working through on-call contracts with individual task
orders and understand the need for staff flexibility and availability. We currently hold surveying on-
calls with several local agencies.
Locally based Program Manager – Steve Heise, PLS, Altum’s Director of Survey, resides in the City
of La Quinta and is based in Altum’s local Coachella Valley office, only 10 miles from City Hall. He
has more than 30 years of professional surveying experience and was the previous President of the
California Land Surveyors Association San Diego Chapter.
Custom Work Methodologies – Altum surveyors approach every project with the same level of
detail ensuring successful completion of every task on time and on budget. Our team has a vast
knowledge of land survey principles which ensure proper methodology is employed in every
project. Our survey crews keep accurate field notes and project logs at all times.
Unique Qualifier - We have the big picture in mind and understand the importance of acquiring the
correct data in an accurate, time sensitive and usable format. There is seldom a land survey
situation that can arise that we haven’t already seen and resolved.
We look forward to discussing our qualifications with you in greater detail. If you have any questions about
our proposal, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address above or via phone (760) 346-4750 or
email at steve.heise@thealtumgroup.com.
Sincerely,
Steve Heise, PLS
Director of Survey
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Letter
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................. i
Qualifications, Related Experience and References ........................................................................................ 1
Firm Profile .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Project Experience and References ............................................................................................................. 2
References ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Proposed Staffing and Project Organization ................................................................................................... 8
Project Manager ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Technical Staff ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Work Plan/Technical Approach ..................................................................................................................... 11
Overview of Services .................................................................................................................................. 11
Summary of Proposed Services and Processes ......................................................................................... 12
Technical Approach to Tasks ..................................................................................................................... 12
Project Management Tools ....................................................................................................................... 13
Cost and Price................................................................................................................................................. 14
Billing ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Minimum Time Rate .............................................................................................................................. 14
Overtime Pay ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Holidays ................................................................................................................................................. 14
Hourly Rate Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 14
Insurance Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................ 15
Appendix
A Resumes
B Required Form: Non-Collusion Affidavit
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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QUALIFICATIONS, RELATED EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES
Firm Profile
Proposer’s Business Name: The Altum Group
Type of Business: S Corporation organized in California
Founded: April 6, 2009
Certifications: California Certified Small Business Enterprise #1107100
Offices: Palm Desert, CA – (760) 346-4750
San Diego, CA – (858) 748-2130
Agoura Hills, CA – (747) 267-7797
Number of Employees: 32 Employees in three offices
Hours of Operation: M-F 8am – 5pm
Contact Person: Steve Heise, PLS – Director of Survey (steve.heise@thealtumgroup.com)
Litigation: The Altum Group has no pending or former litigation cases.
Debarment: The Altum Group is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise declared
ineligible to contract with other federal, state or local public agencies.
The Altum Group is a multi-discipline consulting firm offering expertise in
surveying, civil engineering, project management, environmental planning,
physical/policy planning, and geographical information systems. The Altum Group
began with a core group of experienced professionals each with decades of
experience in providing consulting services to public and private clients. The firm
now employs nearly 40 professionals and supporting staff with diverse levels of
expertise that allows us the ability to provide the surveying services that may be
necessary for future City of La Quinta projects.
Altum’s survey department has experienced
professionals who are recognized by government
agencies and the development community for their
high level of professionalism and commitment to
excellence. Our team performs a full array of Survey
and Mapping efforts, from legal description
interpretation, boundary retracement and
establishment to development and design services,
including photogrammetry control topography,
construction staking, layouts, as-builts, and
monitoring. Our Survey Manager and licensed
surveyors (PLS) oversee the field and office
personnel in the process of field information and
data collection, data processing, datum analysis, and
adjustments. This includes coordinating the
surveying and mapping with the Altum Planning and Engineering staff to promote efficiency in the work effort
as well as supervising the preparation of Tract and Parcel Maps, Records of Survey, ALTA/ACSM Land Title
Surveys, Lot Line Adjustments, Parcel Mergers, Legal Descriptions, Plats, Topographic Surveys, and a variety of
custom exhibits and constraint maps to meet the design, development, and legal needs of the client.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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Project Experience and References
As a Palm Desert based corporation, The Altum Group has a detailed history of work in the Coachella Valley. We
have had the privilege of working on some of the Valley’ most prominent projects and proving our ability to
serve as one of the top consulting firms in the area. The following descriptions highlight our experience with
construction surveying services, particularly on local projects.
Washington Street Apartments Rehabilitation Project Construction Staking,
La Quinta, CA
Client: CV Housing Coalition/Washington Street Apartments LLP (former City of La
Quinta project)
Contact: Kenneth Rogers/Maryann Ybarra (760) 347-3157
Dates: 2011 - Present
The Altum Group is currently providing construction staking for the Washington
Street Apartments Rehabilitation Project for the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition.
Located in the City of La Quinta, this redevelopment project is 11.32 acres with Phase
1 consisting of construction of twenty-six new apartments, rehabilitation of seventy-
two apartments, construction of proposed common area buildings and a completely
renovated site (parking, lighting, landscape, drainage, etc.). Phase 2 will be future
apartment units with connectivity to the common buildings constructed in Phase 1.
The specific scope of work involving construction staking includes
providing control for the site grading, and construction layout of
the building corners, parking area improvements, utilities, and
walls as shown on the “progress” set of construction drawings
previously prepared by Altum engineers. The construction survey
effort was based on the final approved drawings, incorporating
the data for each point to be staked and loading those points into
the survey data collector in order to set one (1) set of stakes for
the following:
Horizontal and vertical control;
Rough grade for the entire site;
Finish grade stakes/blue-tops on the building pad, top and bottom of the retention basins, and sub-
grade of the parking lot;
Outside perimeter corners of the buildings with reference to finished floor elevation;
Sewer and storm drain lines, including laterals and inlets;
Domestic water lines, fire water lines, service lines, and appurtenances;
On-site curb and gutters with cuts/fills to top of curb;
Edge of walkways at angle points and grade-breaks;
Edges of the improvements for the Hidden River Road entrance;
Edges of the ADA ramps along the streets, driveways, and parking lots;
Perimeter walls and fences;
Pool and pool deck areas; and
Corners of the trash enclosure areas.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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The Enclave Residence Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA
Client: Private Individual
Contact: Confidential
Dates: 2013 – Present
The Altum Group provided a variety of services (planning, civil
engineering, and surveying) for a proposed single-family residence
located in The Enclave in the City of La Quinta. The Enclave is a high-
end residential community located within the La Quinta Resort
development. Following entitlement and engineering design,
Altum’s surveying team provided construction staking for the
home. The location was unique to La Quinta as the plans were
designed around hillsides and rock outcrops. Surveyors had to
maneuver around the project site to set the stakes for the house,
pad limits, and driveway to ensure proper construction.
La Quinta Resort Drainage Project Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA
Client: GeoKinetics
Contact: Glenn Tofani – (949) 502-5353
Dates: 2017 – 2018
The Altum Group provided construction staking and land surveying
services associated with La Quinta Resort located on Eisenhower Drive
in La Quinta. The resort was completing upgrades to resolve drainage
issues along several parking lot and sidewalk areas within the property.
Altum prepared a staking plan and set one set of stakes for upper and
lower drainage basins, the spillways, and the resort fill area. Specific
tasks included:
Establishing horizontal and vertical control;
Clearing limits;
Slope staking; toe, top, and benches;
Fill area;
Spillway walls; and
Channel staking.
Stonefield Indio 100 Construction Staking, Indio, CA
Client: Stonefield Development
Contact: Robert Pack, President – 958-581-4663
Dates: 2012 - 2013
The Altum Group worked for Stonefield Development, Inc. to provide construction staking services for the street
and water improvements within the Avenue 50 right-of-way. The project was located along Avenue 50 in the
City of Indio, just east and west of the Madison Street intersection. Surveyors set horizontal and vertical controls
throughout the project to maintain efficient construction staking. Specific tasks for the field crew included stakes
for tie-ins to an existing water main, stakes along a storm drain pipe alignment, and stakes for rough grading of
Avenue 50.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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Palm Springs Porsche Dealership Construction Staking, Palm Springs, CA
Client: Indigo Auto Group
Contact: Confidential
Dates: 2017 - Present
The Altum Group provided design and construction surveying services for the
construction of a high-end automotive dealership on vacant land in the downtown
area of Palm Springs. Altum surveyors prepared an ALTA survey for the project and
the Land Title Survey showing the parcel lines and plottable easements of record.
Following approval, Altum was hired to provide construction support and
construction staking for the three-story building. Staff performed office services
including the creation of stakeout data, preparation of supporting field exhibits,
uploading and downloading field equipment data, preparing cut sheets, reports, and
preparing certification letters as required to support the field construction surveying
services as requested by project superintendent. Altum’s survey field crew
performed construction surveying staking services as directed by the project
superintendent including:
Establishing horizontal and vertical control temporary benchmarks on site;
Marking of pavement and or other improvement demolition/removals;
Rough Grade project site;
Temporary Power Poles;
Finished Grade project site;
Pad Grade Elevations and Grade Certification Letter;
Finish Form Elevations and Locations with Certification Letter; and
Offset stakes for walls; water, sewer lines, laterals, and appurtenances; storm drain lines and
appurtenances; curb and gutter; flat work including sidewalks, and trash enclosures; ramps and
pavement areas; driveways entrances and Frontage Road Improvements.
Sunniva Development Construction Staking, Cathedral City, CA
Client: Orr Builders
Contact: Brian Orr - (760) 360-6632
Dates: 2017 - Present
The Altum Group is providing construction staking services for
Sunniva Development, a Cannabis Cultivation project located
on Ramon Road in Cathedral City. Altum’s field crews are
completing construction staking for the construction of the
two proposed/future buildings, drive areas, parking lots, walls,
utilities, and storm water improvements. Surveyors are placing
one set of stakes for control; staking plan; rough grade;
finished grade; off-sets to the building envelopes, pad grade,
and pad certification; temporary power poles; bottom of grade beam grid line intersections; perimeter block
wall; landscape features; utilities; and control stakes for flat work, including ADA improvements.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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Palm Springs Unified School District Portable Classroom Survey Services, Palm Springs, CA
Client: Desert Concepts Construction
Contact: Julio Castro, President - 760-200-9007
Dates: 2017
Altum provided surveying services for five separate elementary schools in the Palm Springs Unified School
District (Katherine Finchy, Valle Del Sol School, Sunny Sands, Cathedral City, Two Bunch Palms, and Rio Vista).
Each school required construction staking and land surveying services for the relocation of portable/modular
classroom buildings within the school grounds.
ADA Cycle 6 Pedestrian Ramp Improvements Project Construction Staking, Moreno Valley, CA
Client: City of Moreno Valley
Contact: Margery Lazarus, P.E., Senior Engineer – (951) 413-3133
Dates: 2018
The Altum Group is currently contracted with the City of Moreno Valley Public Works Department to provide
on-call surveying services. Tasks include design, construction, and as-built surveys, preparation of legal
description and plat maps, and other surveying services on an as needed basis. Through the contract, Altum
provided surveying for the ADA Cycle 6 Pedestrian Ramp Improvements Project involved removal and
reconstruction of 24 access ramps at 8 intersections in various locations throughout the City. Altum’s surveyors
performed the as-built surveys, prepared calculations and staking plans, and set one set of stakes for each
project site.
Heber Dunes SVRA Surveying and Construction Staking, Holtville, CA
Client: Desert Concepts Construction
Contact: Mr. Julio Castro, President - 760-200-9007
Dates: 2014 - 2015
Altum provided land survey and mapping services that identified survey
control and boundary monument recovery, location and topographic
surveys to facilitate utility system design, and survey of several projects
in the Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). Heber Dunes
SVRA is a 343-acre park located in Imperial County. Popular with off-road
vehicle drivers, the park’s landscape contains creosote studded sand dunes, large "fine sand" sand dunes, and
dry lake beds with hard packed clay. The Prime Consultant, Desert Concepts Construction, was awarded a
contract for which included performing grading, site work and building construction in several areas of the State
Park. Altum provided the required surveying services at four separate sites within the park and also provided
construction staking for the new utilities, roadways, and buildings.
SEPV 8&9 Solar Project Construction Staking, Riverside County, CA
Client: Solar Power Inc.
Contact: Paul O'Sullivan (retired)
Dates: 2011 - 2012
The Altum Group performed construction staking services for two solar projects of 92 acres and 80 acres
respectively. After recovering boundary monumentation and establishing site control, Altum surveyors staked
all solar infrastructure improvements for collector boxes, equipment and switchyard pads including hundreds
of actuator piers.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
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North Palm Springs Solar Field, North Palm Springs, Riverside County, CA
Client: Solar Power Inc.
Contact: Paul O'Sullivan (retired)
Dates: 2010
The Altum Group completed a site survey and construction staking for the 36.6-acre, 2.385 MW photovoltaic
solar power facility at the southeast corner of Dillon Road and Worsley Road. In the Survey phase of the project
Altum established control and staked all construction phases of the project from rough grade to final location
of paved access and interior roadways, utility pads and support columns for solar panel arrays across the twenty
five acre site. Altum also prepared and submitted the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application, and related
conceptual site and grading plans, and a PM-10 Dust Control Plan.
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) On-Call Surveying Services (Sub-consultant for GEI), Riverside County, CA
Client: GEI Consulting
Contact: Mr. David Imam, P.E., Senior Professional - 626-290-1084
Dates: 2017 - 2018
The Altum Group was part of the GEI Consulting, Inc. team for an on -call contract with CVWD from 2014-2016.
CVWD is a multifaceted agency that delivers irrigation and domestic drinking water, collects and recycles
wastewater, provides regional storm water protection, replenishes the groundwater basin and promotes water
conservation over 1,000 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to
the Salton Sea, mostly within the Coachella Valley in Riverside
County. Through individual tasks orders with GEI, Altum provided
land survey and mapping services that identified field and aerial
surveys to provide profiles and cross-sections, right of way and
easement locations, horizontal and vertical locations of utilities for a
number of pipeline upgrade and construction projects within
CVWD’s service area. Deliverables of survey base files were provided
in AutoCAD format, point files in ASCII format, and digital surface files
(tin or dtm) in AutoCAD format.
On-Going Land Surveying Services, Los Angeles County, CA
Client: Antelope Valley Community College District
Contact: Angela Musial, Buyer – 661-722-6419
Dates: 2017 - Present
The Altum Group holds a multi-year contract to provide land surveying services for projects initiated by the
Antelope Valley Community College District. The District is a part of the California Community College system in
Los Angeles County with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern
counties. The scope of survey services for projects include topographic surveys and aerial topographic surveys
to determine locations and elevations of existing improvements, structures, and topographic features;
construction surveys; property line surveys and easement surveys; Subdivision Map Act compliance; and
development of legal descriptions and plat maps.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 7
Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, San Diego County, CA
Client: Dokken Engineering
Dates: 2011 - 2015
Under previous employment, Altum’s Director of Survey, Steve Heise, was the primary surveyor for the Mid-
Coast Corridor Transit Project located in San Diego County. The Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project will extend
Trolley service from Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University City community (approximately
15.2 miles), serving major activity centers such as Old Town, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and
Westfield UTC. The project consists of a double track extension,
construction of eight (8) new stations (three at grade and five
elevated); five park-and-ride facilities; upgrades to existing system
facilities between the Santa Fe Depot and the OTTC, and the
acquisition of new trolley vehicles for operation of the Trolley Blue
Line service from the Santa Fe Depot to the UTC Transit Center. Key
tasks overseen by Mr. Heise included the delivery of the right-of-way
mapping, design staking, Land Net Base Map, utility mapping, and
plats and legal descriptions as well as the Monumentation
Preservation Survey.
Inland Rail Trail (IRT), San Diego County, CA
Client: Dokken Engineering
Dates: 2012 - 2014
The Inland Rail Trail is a proposed 21-mile Class I facility that is located within the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San
Marcos, and Escondido, as well as within a portion of the unincorporated County of San Diego. Under previous
employment, Altum’s Director of Survey, Steve Heise, was the primary surveyor for this important infrastructure
project in San Diego County. The project included the delivery of the right-of-way mapping, design staking, and
plats and legal descriptions for a 7-mile Class I bikeway project located within North County Transit District
(NCTD) Sprinter rail line.
References
The Altum Group has 10 years of professional experience working with local public/government agencies and
private clients. We have earned the reputation of being a leading consulting firm and are proud to present the
following references that will attest to our ability to service any projects for the City of La Quinta.
Mr. Martin Alvarez
Director of Economic Dev.
City of Palm Desert
73510 Fred Waring Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-0611
malvarez@cityofpalmdesert.org
Project: Alessandro Street
Improvements Project Surveying
Mr. Henry Ngo, PE
Capital Projects Division Manager
City of Moreno Valley
14177 Frederick St.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 413-3106
henryn@moval.org
Project: On-Call Professional
Surveying Services Contract
Mr. David Imam
Senior Professional
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2141 Palomar Airport Rd Ste 300
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(626) 290-1084
dimam@geiconsultants.com
On-Call Surveying for Coachella
Valley Water District
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 8
PROPOSED STAFFING AND PROJECT ORGANIZATION
Altum has the capacity to provide the resources necessary to develop and manage multiple work assignments
through this contract with the City. Our team will be led by Project Director, Steve Heise, PLS, who brings over
30 years of surveying experience. Mr. Heise provides leadership skills, and his extensive experience in managing
as-needed surveying services contracts for public agency clients. Mr. Heise will serve as the primary point of
contact for the City on this contract and will ensure successful completion of task orders, timeliness of all work,
resolve project issues quickly, and will communicate project status, negotiate decisions, maintain cost-effective
design and coordinate with Altum team members.
Our team has provided surveying services for more than 10 years. Altum currently employs three (3) professional
Land Surveyors all of whom are included on this team. Our staff also includes Professional Engineers, Engineers-
in-Training, as well as staff licensed in various environmental disciplines. We are confident in our ability to
provide the majority of requested design and construction surveying services utilizing internal staff.
The following staff biographies include education and credentials, a summary of specialties, and bullet lists of
relevant projects. Complete resumes are available in the appendix.
Project Manager
Steve Heise, P.L.S.
Position: Director of Surveying
Education: Geomatics Degree; British Columbia Institute of Technology; Burnaby, BC
Licenses: Professional Land Surveyor - California #LS8788
Mr. Heise is a California Licensed Professional Land Surveyor, with over 30 years of Land
Surveying experience. He has extensive experience with pipeline surveys, public lands,
large area control networks, military installations, highway and railroad projects,
construction staking, Subdivision Maps, Parcel Maps, easements, right-of-way, Record of
Surveys, and Corner Records. Mr. Heise is also certified for FEMA Elevation Certificates
and Flood Zone Mapping (LOMA) and is proficient in both Civil 3D and MicroStation. Steve
is an active member of the California Land Surveyors Association and Past President of the San Diego Chapter
of the CLSA. He has taught the Boundary Principles section at the San Diego Chapters - California Specific Land
Survey Exam Review Series, as well as the preparation course for the National Examination on the Principles and
Practices of Land Surveying, at the Caltrans District 11 Facility.
Mr. Heise has experience managing multiple task orders through on-call contracts. Under previous employment
he was the Principal Land Surveyor responsible for the delivery of any Land Survey required Mapping,
Certification, As-Built Surveys, Construction Staking and General Land Survey Consulting Services for the City of
Chula Vista. He also manages Altum’s on-call survey contracts with the City of Moreno Valley and Antelope Valley
Community College District. Through his management and oversight of Altum’s Surveying Department, Mr.
Heise signs all maps and applications when required and is involved in technical support for all field crews.
Highway 111 field design survey (approximately 8,800 lineal feet), Indio, CA – Project Surveyor
Alessandro Alley Improvement Project field design survey, Palm Desert, CA – Project Surveyor
SR62 Widening: SR 247 to Warren Vista Ave, Yucca Valley, CA – Project Surveyor
Prospect Avenue Corridor Enhancement Road Widening Project PS&E, Santee, CA – Project Surveyor
Alder Avenue, Randall Avenue and Cactus Avenue/Linden Avenue Road Widening projects, San Diego,
CA – Project Surveyor
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 9
Technical Staff
Bruce Cowan
Position: Survey Manager
Education: Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies; College of the Desert; Certificate, Global
Positioning Systems; University of CA, Riverside
Mr. Cowan has been engaged in land development services since 1985. He has worked in
a technical services capacity during many aspects of land planning, civil design and
surveying operations. Mr. Cowan has worked in a technical capacity during most aspects
of land surveying projects including land records research, field survey
planning/coordination and has acted as a Party Chief on topography, boundary and
construction surveys utilizing Total Station and GPS equipment. His mapping experience
includes downloading field survey data, creating topography survey maps, preparing Record of Survey Maps,
Corner Records, legal descriptions and exhibits. Mr. Cowan’s experience also includes existing utilities records
research, potholing coordination, calculation of pipeline relocation alignments together with the preparation of
plan and profile Relocation Plans for wet utilities. His main responsibilities have revolved around the collection
of utility as-built information to field excavation of said utilities, performing field survey and CAD mapping of
such information.
Washington Street Apartments Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA – Office Surveyor
Swenson Residence Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA – Office Surveyor
North Indio Flood Control Channel, Indio, Riverside County, CA – Office Surveyor
Ramon 19, Sunniva Development, Construction Staking, Cathedral City, CA – Office Surveyor
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA – Office Surveyor
5 Peaks Automotive Dealership Project, Rancho Mirage, CA – Office Surveyor
Tung Hsieh, P.E., P.L.S.
Position: Surveyor
Education: MS, Civil Engineering, Fresno State University; BS, Engineering, Fresno State
University
Licenses: Professional Land Surveyor - California #8722; Professional Engineer - California
#70278
Mr. Hsieh has over 13 years of experience in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering design.
He will provide design and plan production the project and will assist with preparation of
the base map if required. Mr. Hsieh has over 14 years of experience in Land Surveying and
Civil Engineering design and utilizes AutoCAD drafting for his land surveying and design
project work. His experience includes preparation of street improvement plans and survey documents including
record of survey, right of way maps and exhibits, easements, and monumentation preservation/recovery. Mr.
Hsieh is Altum’s lead Plan Checker with experience providing engineering checks for multiple Imperial, Riverside,
and San Bernardino jurisdictions.
Highway 111 street improvements (Madison Street to Rubidoux Street), Indio, CA – Field Surveyor
Alessandro Alley Improvement, Palm Desert, CA – Project Engineer and Surveyor
Pierce Street Sewer Extension Project, Mecca, CA – Project Engineer and Surveyor
Map Check Lead, County of Imperial, CA – Assistant Surveyor
Map Check Lead, City of Holtville, CA – Assistant Surveyor
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 10
Chris Brown, P.L.S.
Position: Surveyor/GIS Analyst
Education: B.S. Land Surveying, Oregon Institute of Technology
Licenses: Professional Land Surveyor – Oregon #60438 and Washington #46328
Mr. Brown has over 19 years of experience as a professional land surveyor, field crew,
project surveyor, and manager. Previously working in the Pacific Northwest, he is familiar
with different landscapes and topographies and brings a strong technical background in
surveying techniques and graphics programs to all of his projects. His past surveying
experience includes land development projects, subsurface tunnel monitoring, highway
rights-of-way, and geodetic control networks for airborne LiDAR and aerial
Photogrammetry. Additionally, he has done construction staking on a verity of construction projects including
schools’ facilities, light rail transit, and roadways.
La Quinta Resort Drainages Project, La Quinta, CA – Survey Coordinator
Pierce Street Sewer Extension Project, Mecca, CA – Survey Coordinator
Palm Springs Porsche Dealership, Palm Springs, CA – Survey Coordinator
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA – GIS Analyst
Polk Street Substation Project Boundary, Coachella, CA – Survey Coordinator
Igor Kouzmine
Position: Party Chief
Education: BS, Land Surveying - Moscow University of Geodesy and Cartography
Mr. Kouzmine has over 20 years of experience in Land Surveying and has extensive
knowledge of trigonometry, high order leveling, traverse, trilateration, segmental
geometry, and has fundamental knowledge of GPS solutions. He has the ability to come
up with a solution to any complicated survey problem, able to read design drawings, and
has extensive experience in compiling: ALTA Surveys, Record of Surveys, Corner Records,
large scale City maps with an emphasis on underground utilities, building grid stake -out,
the ability to QA/QC field data, as built surveys, highway/street right of ways, property
boundaries, and topographical surveying and mapping. Mr. Kouzmine is thoroughly versed in survey
instrumentation including both Total Station and GPS, gathering data with TDS, Trimble, Leica, Sokkia, Topcon
and Nikon.
Washington Street Apartments Project, La Quinta, CA – Party Chief
Swenson Residence Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA – Party Chief
La Quinta Resort Drainages Project, La Quinta, CA – Party Chief
Indian Hills RV Park Improvements, Indio, CA – Party Chief
Date Palm Business Park Boundary, Cathedral City, CA – Party Chief
Polk Street Substation Project Boundary, Coachella, CA – Party Chief
Polk and 54th Cannabis Facility Project, Coachella, CA – Party Chief
The Reserve Club Improvements Project, Indian Wells, CA – Party Chief
Rancho Mirage Library Boundary Survey, Rancho Mirage, CA – Party Chief
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 11
Matt Graham
Position: Utility Coordinator
Certifications: Smith Certified Drive Safe Program; OSHA HAZWOPER
Mr. Graham is an accredited utility locator with more than 20 years of p rofessional
experience in Southern California and Arizona. He is familiar with various types of
underground utility line locators and metal detectors and maintains yearly certifications
required in the industry. Mr. Graham has experience in the field and as a supervisor
overseeing damage investigators and prevention technicians on various projects. He is
thoroughly trained in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for utility work. He
is familiar with the implementation and preservation of Drive-Cam standards, preparing
weekly reports of safety topics and documentation of gas calibration, and ensuring compliance with OSHA
regulations.
Pierce Street Sewer Extension Project, Mecca, CA – Utility Locator
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA – Utility Locator
Geocon, Inc. On-Call Utility Location Services Contract, Regional, CA – Utility Locator
WORK PLAN/TECHNICAL APPROACH
Overview of Services
Based on our review of the City’s solicitation and our experience working through similar contracts we
understand projects stemming from this on-call will include:
Survey Control – Project areas will be sufficiently marked and preserved and protected, monuments will
be protected or replaced as needed.
Clearing/Removals – One set of reference stakes or marks at 200-foot intervals on tangent line and 100-
foot on curves will be set along the limits of the construction area or Right-of-Way for clearing purposes.
Rough Grade –
o One set of grid stakes at 50-foot intervals. Stakes will indicate cut or fill to finish grad as shown
on approved mass grading plan.
o One set of stakes at 25-foot intervals and all angle points with appropriate cut or fill.
o One set of offset stakes for sidewalks at 25-foot intervals, grade breaks and angle points with
cut or fill to finish surface.
Finish Grade –
o One set of stakes to delineate at 25-foot intervals and all angle points with appropriate cut or
fill.
o One set of offset stakes for sidewalk at 25-foot intervals, grade breaks and angle points with
grades to finish surface.
o One Blue Top for building pad. Stake to be set at pad grade.
o Pad Certifications – Prior to construction of improvements, Altum will provide inspection
services necessary to provide certification of pad grade as shown on the approved grading plan.
Retaining/Garden Wall – One set of offset, line and grade stakes for wall construction set at 50-foot
intervals with appropriate cut or fill to top of footing.
Bridge Structures – One set of stakes for foundation layout and deck grades.
Entrance Structures – One set of stakes with appropriate cut or fill for the construction of entrance
structures.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 12
Building Foundations – One set of stakes at an offset of 10’ x 10’ to the building corners, one stale per
corner with grades to the finish pad.
Water, Sewer, Storm Drain, or Irrigation Lines – One set of offset stakes at 50-foot intervals with grades
to finish surface.
Drainage Boxes – One set of stakes at a 5-foot offset to centerline of box with grades to top of grate.
Tree Locations – One stake at centerline of each tree location.
Project Administration – Altum’s surveyor will be available during the length of the project to address
any questions or concerns which may arise. Three sets of Grade Sheets shall be prepared and submitted
to the City of La Quinta within 48 hours of receipt of the “Staking Request”.
Office Calculations – Calculations as necessary to provide Altum field survey crews with data as needed
for staking and supervision as required.
Altum maintains a fully operational GPS System including software and office configuration. The Survey
Department maintains access to the NGS, NAVD, and local data bases. Altum has performed most aspects of
boundary surveying and construction surveying using both conventional survey equipment together with state
of the art GPS equipment. Surveyors currently utilize the following survey equipment:
Trimble S6 Robotic Total Station;
Trimble S5 Robotic Total Station; and
(2) Trimble R10 GNSS Base and Rovers.
Summary of Proposed Services and Processes
Altum benefits from the following characteristics which have resulted in the successful completion of projects:
Extensive knowledge and experience with the City of La Quinta as well as other cities and agencies within
the Coachella Valley and greater Riverside County;
Development of a strong multidisciplinary technical team with capabilities to identify, analyze and solve
complex issues;
Rigorous attention to quality, client and team communication, and client satisfaction;
Excellent ability to manage and coordinate all aspects of a project; and
Outstanding reputation and experience in providing surveying services.
Key issues to resolve through the design process include:
A clear understanding of a project;
An accurate project base map, including boundary, topography, and existing utilities; and
Definition of constraints affecting a project.
Technical Approach to Tasks
The keys to a successful project are communication, execution, and quality control. Our work plan process and
methodology centers on these important aspects of project management. In general, we anticipate the process
for a construction surveying project would be similar to the procedures outlined below:
Task 1: Project Initiation
Review Project Description and/or RFP Scope of Services from City’s Project Manager;
Prepare a formal response and/or proposal including a detailed scope and fee for the required surveying
effort;
If selected, ensure all contract and insurance documents are complete prior to beginning work;
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 13
A successful project begins with a kick-off meeting;
o Schedule and moderate a kick-off meeting with City’s Project Manager and team members;
o Discuss schedule (and updates), scope of work, project communication (meeting minutes,
status reports, etc.) and any specific concerns; and
o Provide meeting minutes to team.
Task 2: Construction Survey
During construction, respond to Contractor RFI’s and assist City’s Project Manager as requested.
Tieout, reset and set monuments within the project limits.
Conduct as-built surveys
Prepare calculations and staking plans for:
o Grade stakes
o Substructure stakes
o Structure stakes
o Finished grade stakes
Set construction stakes at approved locations.
Provide as-staked exhibits and information to construction team.
Task 3: Close Out
Prepare as-built plans and submit to City’s Project Manager upon completion of work.
Conduct a project close-out meeting with the Project Manager to review the project.
Project Management Tools
An important part of the management process that The Altum Group recommends for any project undertaken
includes first and foremost a kick-off meeting. This meeting would include City staff and the construction team.
The objective of the initial meeting and subsequent meetings is to facilitate the following actions:
Determine: project vision/objectives and specific scope required.
Develop a shared vision with City and the construction team, on strategy, division of responsibilities,
and positions on key issues.
Identify and anticipate where issues might arise and recommend cost-effective and appropriate
technical solutions.
Communicate with City staff and other affected agencies and internally within Altum and its team
members to maintain a shared vision on all aspects of the project.
Stay on schedule and within budget which includes determining Altum's responsibility, City’s
responsibilities and the responsibilities of other agencies that may have a stake in the project.
Altum believes in a proactive approach to project management, which for the preparation of survey services
includes: coordination, communication, a project schedule, progress monitoring, and cost control.
Coordination - Close contact will be maintained between the Project Manager, Task Managers, and the
City’s Project Manager, other project personnel, and regulatory agencies. Our Project Manager will act
as the principal liaison between the City and our Project team.
Communication - Regular communications will be facilitated through the Project Manager who will
serve as the “single point-of-contact.” Communication with City staff and other project participants will
occur through meetings, telephone calls, and emails. Our goal is to keep the City’s Project Manager
informed throughout a project’s duration.
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 14
Progress Monitoring and Cost Control - Our Project Manager is responsible for the controls necessary
to ensure that assignments are completed on-time and within budget. This is accomplished through the
use of our internal accounting which provides current information as to the status of task and project
budgets.
COST AND PRICE
Billing
Altum will submit billing to the City for all work done by the end of the billing period on a monthly basis with a
status report listed by task along with a percentage complete.
Minimum Time Rate
Altum has a two (2) hour minimum time charge per project.
Overtime Pay
Altum’s normal hours of work are Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. Any work over eight (8) hours in a
day will be paid at a time and a half rate, and if a Saturday is needed then it will be billed at a time and a half
rate. If the City needs Altum to work on a Sunday or Holiday that Altum observes the rate charged will be double
time.
Holidays
Listed below are the holidays that Altum’s personnel does not work:
New Year’s Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Hourly Rate Schedule
Listed below is The Altum Group’s 2019 Schedule of Hourly Rates for the On-Call work program. This hourly rate
schedule shall be used in invoicing for progress payments and extra work incurred that is not part of this
contract. All extra work will require prior approval from the City.
Staff Member Hourly Rate
Principal $184.00
Director $163.00
Senior Project Manager $158.00
Project Manager $152.00
Assistant Project Manager $142.00
Senior Associate $131.00
On-Call Construction Surveying Services
City of La Quinta
Page | 15
Staff Member Hourly Rate
Associate $116.00
Assistant $90.00
Project Coordinator $79.00
Administrative Assistant/Clerical $58.00
Intern $37.00
Subsurface Utility Locator - Non
Prevailing $90.00
Subsurface Utility Locator - Prevailing $125.00
Survey Crew - Non Prevailing $225.00
Survey Crew - Prevailing $275.00
Survey Crew Rates:
Hourly rates include standard 2-man crew, 1-man robotic crew and 1-man GPS crew.
Reimbursables Expenses:
Mileage is billed at IRS business rate plus 15%
Printing, reproduction, etc. are billed at direct cost plus 15%
INSURANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Altum Group has reviewed the City’s insurance requirements per Addendum Number 1 dated June 5, 2019
and finds the limits to be acceptable.
On-Call Civil Engineering Services
City of Palm Springs
Page | 30
Appendix A - Resumes
Steve Heise
Director of Survey/Chief Surveyor
Education:
Geomatics
British Columbia Institute of
Technology
Registrations:
California Professional Land
Surveyor, LS8788
Associations:
California Land Surveyors Association
(CLSA),
CLSA – Professional Development
Program
CLSA -San Diego Chapter – Past-
President
National Society of Professional
Surveyors (NSPS)
International Right of Way
Association (IRWA)
American Public Works Association
(APWA)
Qualifications:
Mr. Heise is a California Licensed Professional Land Surveyor, with over 30 years of
Land Surveying experience. He earned a Diploma of Technology in Geomatics from
the British Columbia Institute of Technology and performed land survey work on
major projects in 27 States as well as internationally in Canada, Mexico, South America
and South Africa. For the past 18 years, he has focused his career in California.
Experienced on pipeline surveys, public lands, large area control networks, military
installations, highway and railroad projects, wireless communications, construction
staking, ALTA Land Title Surveys, Subdivision Maps, Condominium Mapping, Parcel
Maps, easements, right-of-way, thousands of plats and legal descriptions, LandNet
and Appraisal Maps as well as Record of Surveys and Corner Records, with coun tless
hours of boundary survey work and experience, Steven is passionate about land
surveying. Certified for FEMA Elevation Certificates and Flood Zone Mapping (LOMA).
Proficient in both Civil 3D and MicroStation. Steve is an active member of the
California Land Surveyors Association, and a Past - President of the San Diego Chapter
of the CLSA. He has taught the Boundary Principles section at the San Diego Chapters
- California Specific Land Survey Exam Review Series, as well as the preparation course
for the National Examination on the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying, at the
CalTrans District 11 Facility.
Project Experience:
On-Call Contract - Highway 111 Street Improvement, Indio, CA
The Altum Group was awarded an on-call contract with the City of Indio Public Works Department to provide
engineering, survey, and environmental services for CIP projects. Through the contract, Altum was involved with a
number of projects focused on Highway 111. This project consisted of the lane widening and street reconstructing for a
two-mile stretch of Highway 111 between Rubidoux Street to the west of the Madison Street. Mr. Heise was the
Principal Surveyor responsible for the design staking.
On-Call Surveying Services, City of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley, CA
Principal Surveyor and Contract Manager for on-call contract with the department of public works. Tasks include design,
construction, and as-built surveys, preparation of legal description and plat maps, and other surveying services on an as
needed basis. Through the contract, Altum provided surveying for the ADA Cycle 6 Pedestrian Ramp Improvements
Project involved removal and reconstruction of 24 access ramps at 8 intersections in various locations throughout the
City. Altum’s surveyors performed the as-built surveys, prepared calculations and staking plans, and set one set of stakes
for each project site.
Steve Heise
Director of Survey / Chief Surveyor
2
Antelope Valley Community College District On-Going Land Surveying Services, Los Angeles County, CA
Mr. Heise is the contract administrator with this agreement to provide land surveying services for projects initiated by
the Antelope Valley Community College District. The scope of survey services for projects include topographic surveys
and aerial topographic surveys to determine locations and elevations of existing improvements, structures, and
topographic features; construction surveys; property line surveys and easement surveys; Subdivision Map Act
compliance; and development of legal descriptions and plat maps.
On-call Land Survey Services, City of Chula Vista, CA
Principal Land Surveyor responsible for the delivery of any Land Survey required Mapping, Certification, As-Built Surveys,
Construction Staking and General Land Survey Consulting Services. As part of this task, completed and recorded an 11-
page Record of Survey of a portion of Main Street and Heritage Road, within the City of Chula Vista.
On-Call Land Survey Services, San Diego Unified Port District, San Diego, CA
Principal Surveyor responsible for the delivery of ALTA Land Title Surveys, Right of Way, Boundary, Legal Descripti ons
and Lease Hold Areas for properties owned by the San Diego Unified Port District.
Geocon, Inc. On-Call Utility Location Services Contract, Regional, CA
Altum holds an on-call contract with Geocon to locate and mark existing utilities on various construction projects.
Geocon is a geotechnical engineering firm and this service will supplement their in-house construction inspection
department. Mr. Heise is the contract administrator and oversees work products done by utility locators.
Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, San Diego, CA
Principal Surveyor responsible for the delivery of the r/w mapping, design staking, Land Net Base Map, utility mapping,
and plats & legal descriptions as well as the Monumentation Preservation Survey. The Mid-Coast Corridor Transit
Project will extend Trolley service from Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University City community,
serving major activity centers such as Old Town, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and Westfield UTC, this is
a $2.6 Billion project for the San Diego Association of Governments.
Inland Rail Trail, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, San Diego County, CA
Principal Surveyor responsible for the delivery of the r/w mapping, design staking, and plats & legal descriptions. The
Inland Rail Trail is a proposed 21-mile Class I facility that is located within the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, and
Escondido, as well as within a portion of the unincorporated County of San Diego, for the San Diego Association of
Governments.
Prospect Avenue Corridor Enhancement, Santee, CA
Principal Surveyor responsible for the delivery of Plats and Legal Descriptions for easements, Right of Way
acquisitions/relinquishments, drainage and utilities, the final Record of Survey and Monumentation of the fully
developed Right of Way and improvements. A $25 Million revitalization and realignment project of a one-mile section of
the city street, for the City of Santee.
Alder Avenue Improvements, Rialto, CA
Principal Surveyor responsible for the delivery of the topographic mapping for design, LandNet base mapping for Right
of Way acquisition, Plats and Legal Descriptions for acquisition, construction staking, establishment of alignment and
elevation control, utility staking, as-built survey and Monument Preservation. Two Phases of improvements bring the
street to full width in order to handle development in the community, for the City of Rialto.
Bruce Cowan
Assistant Survey Manager
Education:
Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies;
College of the Desert; Palm Desert,
CA, 1992
Certificate, Global Positioning
Systems; University of CA, Riverside,
CA, 2007
Qualifications:
Mr. Cowan is a third generation Coachella Valley native and has been engaged in land
development services in the desert since 1985. Mr. Cowan has worked in a technical
services capacity during many aspects of land planning, civil design and surveying
operations. His non-professional experience ranges from obtaining utility as-built
records to the setting of construction surveying points for a 36” pipeline boring
operation beneath Highway 86S. His main responsibilities have revolved around the
collection of utility as-built information to field excavation of said utilities, performing
field survey and CAD mapping of such information. Mr. Cowan has utilized Civil 3D to
create pipe networks with plan and profile design data.
Project Experience:
Washington Street Apartments Construction Staking, La Quinta, CA
Mr. Cowan is serving as the survey coordinator for this large construction staking project in Riverside County. This
redevelopment project is 11.32 acres consisting of construction of twenty-six new apartments, rehabilitation of seventy-
two apartments, construction of proposed common area buildings and a completely renovated site (parking, lighting,
landscape, drainage, etc.). He is in charge of managing and monitoring survey services for the entire development and
also assisted with the initial design survey for the project.
Palm Springs Porsche Dealership, Palm Springs, CA
Mr. Cowan oversaw preparation of an ALTA and NSPS Survey associated with the development of an automobile
dealership on vacant land in the City of Palm Springs. As part of the Record of Survey (ROS), Altum performed a search
and analysis of all available land records for use in analysis of field boundary survey results. Parcel corner locations were
determined, and durable survey monuments were set at parcel corners. A ROS Map was prepared and filed with the City
of Palm Springs and Riverside County Surveyor in compliance with the requirements of the California Professional Land
Surveyor Act. Following the ROS, Altum conducted the ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey showing the parcel lines and
plottable easements of record.
Avenida de Pompeii Construction Staking, Rancho Bernardino, CA
Mr. Cowan oversaw the team of surveyors providing construction staking for this project involving a 700 foot private
road improvement in northern San Diego County. The project faced many challenges due to the existing flood control
waters of the state. In accordance with the County of San Diego and Regional Water Resources Control Board and U.S
Army Corps of Engineers, an arch culvert was designed to maintain the flow of existing flood waters and mitigate other
environmental impacts.
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Mr. Cowan prepared a site boundary and topographic map for this project involving construction of a new management
building for Mission Springs Water District. The building will be approximately 15,000 square feet developed on a
currently vacant parcel. The site boundary included existing, available monuments and the topography involved setting
premarks for a photogrammetrist.
Bruce Cowan
Assistant Survey Manager
2
Ramon 19, Sunniva Development, Construction Staking, Cathedral City, CA
Mr. Cowan is the coordinator for survey crews on a large-scale cannabis cultivation building in Riverside County. The
project will be largest of it’s kind in the Coachella Valley and includes more than 500,000 square feet of development.
Prior to construction, Mr. Cowan oversaw the design survey tasks (site boundary, topographic base map) for the project.
North Indio Flood Control Channel, Indio, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan performed existing utilities research, prepared a pothole plan, directed “See Below” pothole crew,
coordinated with land survey crew, input pothole records into base cad file, calculated horizontal and vertical relocation
pipeline alignment data, Prepared Plan and Profile Relocation Plan for (20) CVWD wet utility pipelines impacted by the
proposed Storm Channel. He performed Project Coordination between Company, Client and CVWD.
Canal Water Delivery Plan, Indian Wells, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan assisted with the preparation of civil design drawings and details req uired to construct (2) new Canal Water
Delivery Meters along the Mid Valley Pipeline. These underground vaults meet National Electric Code standards and
contain equipment to control and report flow to both CVWD and Toscana.
CALTRANS Highway 86S - CVWD Utility Relocation Plans, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan assisted in the preparation of civil design drawings and details required to relocate (15) CVWD Irrigation
Laterals and Drainage Pipelines impacted by the proposed Highway 86S. He also assisted with the preparation of “Cost
to Cure Damages Reports” required to appraise damages to on farm facilities impacted by CALTRANS’ proposed Highway
86S.
Lower Valley Irrigation Expansion Plans Assessment District 33, Mecca, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan prepared civil design drawings required to construct a $2.5 million / 2.5 mile extension of USBR Irrigation
Pipeline with appurtenances to 750 acres near Mecca, CA. He provided coordination communication between Engineer,
Assessment District Consultant, Surveyor, Contractor and CALTRANS and Assisted Contractor with Boring Permit. Mr.
Cowan calculated, uploaded and set - pipeline alignment offset stakes for construction including a boring operation
beneath Highway 86S.
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act Permit, Blythe, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan assisted with the GPS boundary and aerial control survey for 200 acres. He prepared a Grading Plan for the
Reclamation of the Site. He calculated earthwork volumes between existing and proposed surfaces using AutoCAD Land
Desktop and assisted in the preparation of a Record of Survey Map.
Digital Conversion of Facilities Index Maps, Coachella Valley, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Cowan performed CAD drafting services required for the conversion of hand drafted Domestic Water and Sanitary
Sewer Facilities Index Maps to digital format. He utilized a large format digitizer along with custom AutoCAD routines to
create various layers of information including assessor’s parcel information, pipeline sizes, fire hydrant locations and
geographic data.
Christopher W. Brown
Field Survey Manager
Education:
B.S. Land Surveying, Oregon Institute
of Technology
Registrations:
Professional Land Surveyor in Oregon
(60438)
Professional Land Surveyor in
Washington (46328)
Associations:
Oregon GNSS Users Group
Qualifications:
Mr. Brown has over 19 years of professional experience in the Pacific Northwest. He
joined Altum in the summer of 2018 and will provide a strong technical background
in surveying techniques and graphics programs. His past surveying experience
includes land development projects, Subsurface tunnel monitoring, Highway rights-
of-way, and Geodetic control networks for airborne LiDAR and aerial
Photogrammetry. Additionally, he has done construction staking on a verity of
construction projects including schools facilities, light rail transit, and roadways.
Over the years Mr. Brown has worked as a field crew, project surveyor, and
manager.
Project Experience:
Palm Springs Porsche Dealership, Palm Springs, CA
Mr. Brown assisted with construction staking efforts associated with the development of an automobile dealership on
vacant land in the City of Palm Springs. The project is a landmark development in the City, a multi-level custom building
located in the heart of the downtown tourist area. Construction had an expedited schedule and surveying often took
place on off hours to accommodate work crews.
Ramon 19, Sunniva Development, Construction Staking, Cathedral City, CA
Mr. Brown assisted with coordination of the survey crews on a large-scale cannabis cultivation building in Riverside
County. The project will be largest of it’s kind in the Coachella Valley and includes more than 500,000 square feet of
development.
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Mr. Brown assisted with a site boundary and topographic map for this project involving construction of a new
management building for Mission Springs Water District. The building will be approximately 15,000 square feet
developed on a currently vacant parcel. The site boundary included existing, available monuments and the topography
involved setting premarks for a photogrammetrist.
Pierce Street Sewer Extension Project, Riverside County, CA
Mr. Brown is the Surveyor for this infrastructure project in Mecca. Tasks include preparation of preliminary design
survey including site boundary, topographic base map, and right of way research. The project involves construction of a
backbone sanitary sewer system consisting of a gravity sewer line in Pierce Street from Avenue 66 to Avenue 70 with
spur lines of approximately 2,800 feet on Avenue 69 and approximately 1,500 feet on Avenue 70. The backbone system
also includes a sanitary sewer lift station and force main to the collection point in the Coachella Valley Water District’s
(CVWD) main facilities at Avenue 66 and the Coachella Valley Storm Drain Channel.
U.S. Grant High School Modernization, Portland, OR
Renovation & expansion of the historic high school including seismic upgrades to classroom buildings. The original
Christopher W. Brown
Field Survey Manager
2
building was constructed in the 1920’s and a number of additions were made throughout the years. Mr. Brown was
responsible to certification of new foundations, calculation of field points and staking the points in the field. He also
staked the civil site improvements and provided as-built verification of completed work or staking completed by the
contractor.
Grants Pass Airport Glide Slope, Grants Pass, OR
Project required identifying all obstructions and their height ±10° of runway centerline and above 4° above the horizon
within 4.5 miles of the end of the runway. Field surveys recorded the horizontal and vertical angles of some of the
objects located in the field with the GNSS receiver. As it was cost prohibitive to topo the needed area, LiDAR data was
used and imported to ArcGIS to build a DTM file which was then imported the DTM file into Civil 3D to allow cut profiles
where terrain crossed into the glide slop.
Portland General Electric St. John Subdivision ALTA, Portland, OR
Mr. Brown was the surveyor of record on the project involving a new subdivision in Oregon. For this project the vesting
deed went to low water line, as the river is a navigable river Oregon riparian law states that ownership stops at high-
water. Through research Mr. Brown found that in this section of the Willamette River ownership did go the low water
line. As the project site was within 1.5 river miles of the Columbia River which is tidal influenced for about 10 miles
upriver. It required finding gaging stations to determine where the low water line was located. Physically surveys were
not possible due to the low water line, so Mr. Brown utilized a GIS data set that had the high and low water lines, which
he exported from Arc into Civil 3D and converted to a polyline from which he was able to show the site boundary.
Bonneville Power Administrating I-5 reinforcement project, Castle Rock, WA
Mr. Brown prepared access easement acquisition documents which included a map, general description, cover sheet,
plus supporting documents such as title reports, mile maps showing the transmission line and the access road to a
public roadway, GIS data files and tax maps. The culvert/bridge topo were also mapped in Microstation.
Pacific Gas & Electric, Various Counties, CA
This project involved compliance with NERC and FERC regulations for vegetation growth into transmission right-of-ways
and danger trees. Mr. Brown was the lead surveyor on the project where he created a geodetic control network
covering all of PG&E’s service area with a precision of 1.5cm at 2σ. This was done by using long GNSS sessions of 3 to 12
hours in length and processing the GNSS data using OPUS-Project.
I-5 Iowa St Viaduct replacement, Portland, OR
Project involved replacement of a viaduct located on Iowa Street along the I-5 in Portland. In addition to a topographic
map of the existing conditions for the design-build project, Right-of-Way resolution was also required. This section of
the Interstate was originally Oregon Electric Railway Right-of-Way which had gone out of business in before the state
highway commission started buying Right-of-Way in the late 1950’s. The section of Highway involved as about 1 mile in
length. To resolve this right-of-way it required retracing the subdivisions on the East side of the Highway and Donation
Land Claims on the Westside then the Rail road Right-of-Way fitting the three together. Mr. Brown’s research involved
original highway roll maps, right-of-way acquisition records, surveys and subdivisions from county records, historic rail
road maps and county road records. The beginning of the Railroad description was tied to a nail in a bridge that had
been removed in the construction the highway and it was determined that the best resolution was to hold the highway
where it was currently located.
Tung Hsieh, P.E., P.L.S.
Surveyor
Education:
Master Science , Civil Engineering,
Fresno State University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering,
National Taiwan University of Science
and Technology
Registrations:
State of California, Registered Civil
Engineer No. 70278 and Registered
Land Surveyor No. 8722
State of Arizona, Registered Land
Surveyor No. 51012
Qualifications:
Mr. Hsieh has over 18 years of experience in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering
design. He joined The Keith Companies (Stantec) in March 2004 after two and half
years of land surveying and civil design work employed with The Holt Group in Blythe,
CA. Mr. Hsieh utilizes CAD drafting, land surveying and design support on all of his
project work.
Mr. Hsieh’s experience includes record of surveys, tentative maps, parcel maps, final
maps, environmental constraint sheets, lot line adjustment, parcel merger, certificate
of compliance, construction staking layout, transmission line layout, plot plan,
commercial ALTAs, large solar project ALTAs, wind energy ALTAs, right of way
conveyance, legal description and plat preparation and survey map check for the City
of Holtville and the County of Imperial.
Project Experience:
On-Call Contract - Highway 111 Street Improvement, Indio, CA. The Altum Group was awarded an on-call contract with
the City of Indio Public Works Department to provide engineering, survey, and environmental services for CIP projects.
Through the contract, Altum was involved with a number of projects focused on Highway 111. This project consisted of
the lane widening and street reconstructing for a two-mile stretch of Highway 111 between Rubidoux Street to the west
of the Madison Street. As project Engineer, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes processing field work, generating field
survey data for street grading and preparing street improvement plan for the City of Indio.
Thomas Enterprises Pavilion Commercial Building, La Quinta, CA. As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes
providing project research for field crew, reviewing title report and supporting documents, establishing property
boundary, street right of way and preparing ALTA/ACSM survey and working with title Company and client’s attorney to
resolve the boundary discrepancies. The project consists of more than 20 acres for a commercial shopping center. It is
located at the northeast corner of Highway 111 and Adam Street.
Washington Park; La Quinta, CA. As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes providing project research for
field crew, reviewing title report and supporting documents, establishing property boundary, street right of way and
preparing tentative map, parcel map and phasing exhibits. The project consists more than 70 acres for a commercial
shopping center on Highway 111 at Washington Avenue.
Terra Lago East and Terra Lago West, Indio, CA. Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes processing field
works, reviewing title report and supporting documents, establishing property boundary and street right of way,
designing land plan and preparing tentative maps, tract maps, phasing exhibits, ALTA Survey and easement documents.
The project is occupied more than 600-acres master planned community, consisted more than 700 single family
residential units, lake and golf course, located in the north of the City of Indio.
Tung Hsieh, P.E., P.L.S.
Surveyor
2
Desert Ridge; Rancho Mirage, CA. As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes providing project research for
field crew, reviewing title report and supporting documents, establishing property boundary, street right of way and
preparing ALTA/ACSM survey, tentative map, parcel map and easement document for water and sewer. The project
consists more than 4 acres for the Walgreen's Commercial Center (Desert Ridge) on Bob Hope Drive at Dinah Shore
Drive.
Alessandro Alley Street Improvements, Palm Desert, CA. Mr. Hsieh was the Project Engineer and Surveyor for this street
and beautification project for the City of Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency. The Alessandro Corridor Improvements
encompassed the City’s downtown commercial district, a main thoroughfare through the region. Improvements
proposed by the City included ADA accessibility upgrades, reorientation of several carports, updating lighting for parallel
alleyway, and demolition of several walls along the street. Specific services that were provided included the preparation
of a parcel map waiver; street, drainage and sidewalk improvements; wall improvements; utility coordination; water
quality management services and coordination of adjacent architectural improvements. Staff also coordinated work
with the City of Palm Desert, Coachella Valley Water District, and various wet and dry utility agencies throughout the
project.
Berger Foundation NorthStar/Classic Club Development, Palm Desert, CA. As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility
includes processing field works, reviewing title report and supporting documents, establishing property boundary, street
right of way and highway right of way and preparing tentative map, tract map, ALTA Survey and easement documents.
The project is consisted more than 400-acres master planned community, consisted golf course, office, retail, hotel and
condominium, located in the north of the City of Palm Desert.
Map Check, County of Imperial, CA. As Assistant to Acting County of Imperial Survey, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes
reviewing parcel map, lot line adjustment, certificate of correction, record of survey and right of way dedication
documents.
Map Check, City of Holtville, CA. As Assistant Surveyor to the City of Holtville, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes
reviewing lot line adjustment and right of way dedication documents.
McCoy Solar Energy Project, County of Riverside, CA
As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes processing field work, determining project boundary, scheduling
for field crew, preparing legal and plat for the BLM right of way grant, staking sheet for transmission line and right of
way for transmission line, performing prior construction ALTA/ACSM survey. The project consists of more than 2,000
acres located in the County of Riverside about 10 miles northwest of the City of Blythe.
Genesis Solar Energy Project, County of Riverside, CA
As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes processing field work, determining project boundary, scheduling
for field crew, preparing legal and plat for the BLM right of way grant, staking sheet for transmission line and right of
way for transmission line, performing prior construction ALTA/ACSM survey and As-Built ALTA/ACSM survey. The project
consists of more than 1,900 acres and produces 250 megawatts to provide power to Southern California Edison. It is
located in the County of Riverside about 20 miles west of the City of Blythe.
Dillon Wind Energy Center; Palm Springs, CA
As Project Surveyor, Mr. Hsieh’s responsibility includes processing field work, determining project boundary and street
right-of-way, reviewing title report and supporting documents, preparing encumbrance map, record of survey,
easement document for collector route, legal description and plat for license agreement to the City of Palm Spri ngs,
preliminary roadway design and As-Built ALTA/ACSM survey, working closely with Iberdrola Renewables, Southern
California Edison and the City of Palm Springs. The project consists of 45 turbines occupied more than 1,500 acres in
three different areas and produces 45 megawatts to provide power to Southern California Edison.
Igor Kouzmine
Survey Chief
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Land Surveying -
Moscow University of Geodesy and
Cartography
Qualifications:
Mr. Kouzmine has over 20 years of experience in Land Surveying and has extensive
knowledge of trigonometry, gravimetric, high order leveling, traverse, trilateration,
segmental geometry, and has fundamental knowledge of GPS solutions. He has the
ability to come up with a solution to any complicated survey problem, able to read
design drawings, and has extensive experience in compiling: ALTA Surveys, Record of
Surveys, Corner Records, large scale City maps with an emphasis on underground
utilities, building grid stake-out, the ability to QA/QC field data, as built surveys,
highway/street right of ways, property boundaries, and topographical surveying and
mapping. Mr. Kouzmine is thoroughly versed in survey instrumentation both Total
Station and GPS, gathering data with TDS, Trimble, Leica, Sokkia, Topcon and Nikon.
Project Experience:
Survey Chief, Various Projects, Southern California.
Mr. Kouzmine serves as Altum’s Survey Party Chief in charge of all on-site staking and surveying tasks for company
projects. His duties on projects include performing construction staking and boundary surveys, prepares sketches and/or
electronically documents all field actions, and performing field calculations in response to client needs and to ensure
implementation of planned design or approved revisions. His list of projects includes:
• Washington Street Apartments Project, La Quinta, CA
• Ramon 19 Cannabis Facility Construction Project, Cathedral City, CA
• 5 Peaks Automotive Dealership Project, Rancho Mirage, CA
• Avenida de Pompeii Residences Construction Project, Rancho Bernardo, CA
• Indian Hills RV Park Improvements, Indio, CA
• Date Palm Business Park Boundary, Cathedral City, CA
• Polk Street Substation Project Boundary, Coachella, CA
• Desert Willow Country Club Paving Project, Palm Desert, CA
• Polk and 54th Cannabis Facility Project, Coachella, CA
• Rancho Mirage Library Boundary Survey, Rancho Mirage, CA
• The Reserve Club Improvements Project, Indian Wells, CA
• Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, San Diego, CA
• Inland Rail Trail, San Diego County, CA
• Prospect Avenue Corridor Enhancement, Santee, CA
• Alder Avenue Street Widening, Rialto, CA
• 715 Jewell Drive Residences Project Lot Lines and Boundary, San Diego, CA
• 44th Street Apartments Project Boundary Survey, San Diego, CA
Matt Graham
Utility Coordinator
Certifications:
Smith Certified Drive Safe Program
Training:
OSHA Certification
Knowledge:
Underground utility line locators and
metal detectors: RD4000, RD7000,
RD8000, Metrotech, Vivax, Rycom,
Schonstedt GA-52CX
California Dig Alert Law (Code 4216)
Qualifications:
Mr. Graham is an accredited utility locator with more than 20 years of professional
experience in Southern California and Arizona. He is familiar with various types of
underground utility line locators and metal detectors and maintains yearly
certifications required in the industry. Mr. Graham has experience in the field and as
a supervisor overseeing damage investigators and prevention technicians on various
projects. He is thoroughly trained in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
for utility work. He is familiar with the implementation and preservation of Drive-Cam
standards, preparing weekly reports of safety topics and documentation of gas
calibration, and ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations.
Project Experience:
Geocon, Inc. On-Call Utility Location Services Contract, Regional, CA Altum holds an on-call contract with Geocon to
locate and mark existing utilities on various construction projects. Geocon is a geotechnical engineering firm and this
service will supplement their in-house construction inspection department. Mr. Graham is the lead utility locator on the
contract.
Pierce Street Sewer Extension Project Utility Location, Riverside County, CA Mr. Graham provided utility location services
for this project in Mecca. The project involves construction of a backbone sanitary sewer system consisting of a gravity
sewer line in Pierce Street from Avenue 66 to Avenue 70 with spur lines of approximately 2,800 feet on Avenue 69 and
approximately 1,500 feet on Avenue 70. The backbone system also includes a sanitary sewer lift station and force main
to the collection point in the Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD) main facilities at Avenue 66 and the Coachella
Valley Storm Drain Channel. Mr. Graham located both wet and dry utility lines as well as cable television and electric
cables along the length of the project.
Mission Springs Water District Building Surveying, Desert Hot Springs, CA This project involves construction of a new
management building for Mission Springs Water District. The building will be approximately 15,000 square feet
developed on a currently vacant parcel. Mr. Graham served as the utility locator to identify and mark all wet and dry
utility lines on the project site.
UtiliQuest Utility Locator, Various Projects, Regional, CA and AZ. Mr. Graham served as a utility locator for more than 25
years with UtiliQuest, a provider of damage prevention and infrastructure related services specializing in underground
Matt Graham
Utility Coordinator
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facility locating serving the telecommunications, gas, and electric industries. As the lead locator for projects across
Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties, Mr. Graham interpreted maps and plats for required information on
utility lines, including electricity, telephone, cable television, water, sewer, street lights, and gas. Utilizing specialized
equipment, he located and marked utilities for projects on roadways, residential developments, and commercial
centers. Mr. Graham completed Dig Alert tickets in multiple areas in California as well as Blue Stake tickets in Arizona .
On-Call Civil Engineering Services
City of Palm Springs
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Appendix B – Required Forms