STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 15, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director Melissa Potter, Interim Library Services Director
VIA: Simone McFarland, Assistant Community Development Director BY: Kasey Lee, Housing Development Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of a Sole -Source Agreement with Allied Universal for Citywide Homeless Outreach, and Security Ambassador Services for Libraries, and Parks and Recreation
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a sole-source Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Universal Protection Service, LP, DBA Allied Universal Security Services (Allied) in the amount of $466,767.16 to perform citywide homeless outreach services and security ambassador services at City parks and libraries.
BACKGROUND
Since September 2021, the City has contracted with StreetPlus for homeless outreach services. On August 31, 2024, the contract with StreetPlus expired and the City opted out of the option to renew due to Streetplus’ failure to meet its contractual obligations and performance standards as set forth by the City for homeless outreach services only.
The Community Development Department (CDD) is requesting Council’s approval to enter into a PSA with Allied to provide homeless outreach services. Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Department (P&R) and Library Services Department (LS) are requesting Council’s approval to enter into the same PSA with Allied for security ambassador services. The contract with Allied will cover November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. During this time, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for homeless outreach services will be issued with the intent to onboard the selected vendor by July 1, 2025. This temporary measure will ensure continued outreach throughout the City during this bridge period.
2 A sole-source agreement is in the best interest of the City to prevent a gap in homeless outreach services and address increased issues at City parks and libraries . Allied has been successfully utilized by other local jurisdictions such as the cities of Whittier and Azusa. The scope of work for each department is outlined in the PSA (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
Community Development Department
The City, like many other local jurisdictions , continues to experience a significant homeless crisis. Of the 258 homeless identified during the 2024 P oint-In-Time count, 77 were identified as sheltered, 46 were identified as unsheltered, and 135 were identified as living in an improvised dwelling which includes cars, vans, RVs , and tents. Without sustained and continuous effort to provide affordable housing, mental health services, and long-term support, the homeless population counts could easily increase, making it even more difficult to resolve the crisis.
The scope of services in the proposed contract with Allied will be identical to those identified in the contract with the City’s previous vendor. The homeless outreach staff, which will include one supervisor and two homeless outreach liaisons, will provide coverage seven days a week. Personnel will be equipped with a uniform, flashlight, gloves, and a smartphone with cellular service and a propriet ary data management application. Homeless outreach staff will be required to enter information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) daily for tracking and reporting purposes. The agreement also includes two vehicles and one bicycle for the outreach liaisons. If approved, the contract will begin November 1, 2024 and end on June 30, 2025.
The current contracts between Streetplus and the Business Improvement District for the ambassador program and with Metrolink for the security program will remain unchanged.
Parks and Recreation Department
P&R operates and maintains 42 parks and facilities, which includes 27 parks, 15 ballfields, four recreation/community centers, two adult centers, a performing arts theater, two swimming pools, a skate/BMX park, a roller hockey rink, a tennis center, an 18 -hole golf course, an outdoor amphitheater, a nature center, and an animal shelter.
During the last 30 years, the City has funded a variety of dedicated park patrol programs to meet the needs and expectations of the community. The program has been served by volunteers, park rangers, and police officers whose primary responsibilities have been to deter misbehavior in City parks including vandalism, graffiti, and anti-social behavior (e.g. public intoxication and harassment of park patrons) and to act as a level of security to ensure the community can safely enjoy these facilities. In 2009, due to the economic downturn and subsequent budget cuts, the full-time police officer position, which provided 3 36 to 40 hours per week of park patrol services , was eliminated. Currently, the Burbank Police Department (BPD) incorporates park patrols into existing police officers’ daily shifts and police officers are expected to physically patrol all parks within their assigned duties.
This may include patrol by vehicle or on foot, depending on the circumstances. Although BPD patrols the parks in their assigned areas, there is no dedicated police unit or detail specifically dedicated to the City’s parks. Calls for service, enforcement activity, or critical incidents in other areas may draw patrol resources away from the parks at any given time.
Burbank boasts a diverse array of parks that serve as vital community spaces for recreation, social interaction, and cultural activities. However, recent incidents of vandalism, an increase of people experiencing homelessness , disturbances, and anti - social behavior have increased and have raised concerns about public safety. In addition, these incidents have decreased the overall park experience for community members.
Staff, with the support of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board , believe that hiring security ambassadors to act as park patrol will help provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for all visitors.
P&R is proposing to implement a pilot Park Patrol program to maintain a consistent element of uniformed presence in City parks that will:
• Provide a dedicated and known presence in City parks and facilities to create a wholesome environment where all park users can participate; • Serve as an informational resource to park users with an emphasis on positive public relations;
• Provide preventative policing by patrolling City spaces and enforcing appropriate P&R Rules of Conduct and other regulations associated with park facility usage; • Document and facilitate Police response when Burbank Municipal Codes, State, or Federal laws are violated;
• Serve as the first line of response in after -hours emergency maintenance situations and to provide an important link in the preventative maintenance program by early identification and reporting of maintenance hazards; and • Provide a deterrent for misuse of facilities and vandalism through onsite presence, as well as securing facilities when appropriate.
The pilot program will consist of three security ambassadors , including a roving supervisor. The trained security ambassadors will provide patrol seven days a week , including holidays, and for special events. Security ambassadors will be equipped with a uniform, flashlight, gloves, and a smartphone with cellular service and a proprietary data management application. The agreement also includes two vehicles necessary to patrol the parks. If approved, the pilot will begin November 1, 2024 and end June 30, 202 5. At the conclusion of the temporary agreement, P&R will assess the pilot program to ensure 4 the provider is meeting goals and expectations. If satisfied, staff will request approval to continue the program and appropriate funding during the annual budget process.
Library Services Department
LS operates three branches for a combined total of over 7,728 hours per year with nearly 450,000 library patron visits. Among recent concerns surrounding safety at the library, LS has implemented increased measures including improving staff training, updating policies, and enhancing the physical security of library sites. These measures include, but are not limited to, a safety and security audit, compassionate de -escalation training, purchasing incident management software, review of the Rules of Conduct, refurbishing the security camera system, and enhancing physical spaces.
LS is determining the appropriate level of staffing to serve the needs of the community while addressing the challenges surrounding more difficult incidents and safety concerns.
LS requested Council reinstate the Library Monitor positions in 2016 after a several-year absence, and Council temporarily funded additional Library Monitors in fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 to assist with addressing these challenges . The Social Services Supervisor position was established in 2021 and has greatly contributed to safety b y linking individuals with resources and providing staff with de-escalation training. LS believes that dedicated security positions with trained professionals will provide add itional support to the current safety initiatives.
LS is proposing to implement a pilot Security Ambassador program to maintain a consistent element of uniformed security presence at Library sites which would:
• Provide a dedicated and known presence in the libraries while creating a welcoming environment;
• Monitor activities through regular patrols;
• Engage with Library staff and provides extra support in assisting with incidents through de-escalation, education, and enforcing Library Rules of Conduct; and • Complete detailed incident reports and daily logs.
The pilot program will consist of entering into an agreement with Allied to provide t wo security ambassadors to provide services at the Buena Vista and Central library sites during critical times . Security ambassadors will be equipped with a uniform, flashlight, gloves, and a smartphone with cellular service and a proprietary data management application. If approved, the pilot will begin November 1, 2024 and end June 30, 2025. At the conclusion of the temporary agreement , LS will assess the pilot program to ensure the provider is meeting goals and expectations. If satisfied, staff will request approval to continue the program and appropriate funding during the annual budget process.
5 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity involves providing homeless outreach services and security ambassador services citywide and has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of t he California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract amount with Allied is $466,767.16, which is broken down as follows:
Community Development Department
The total contract amount for homeless outreach services from November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 will be $208,695.76. As part of the FY 2023-24 budget carryover process and 2024 -25 annual budget process, Council authorized CDD to utilize $121,484.60 in Measure H funds (001.CD23A.62085.0000.25056) and $87,211.16 from the General Fund (001.CD23A.62170.1003) for homeless outreach services; therefore, there will be no fiscal impact resulting from the recommended action.
Parks and Recreation Department
The total contract amount for the pilot park program from November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 will be $163,427.95. As part of the FY 2023 -24 budget carryover process, Council authorized P&R use of specified funds for security enhancement measures and ambassador service s; therefore, there will be no fiscal impact resulting from the recommended action . Sufficient funds are available in account 001.PR28A.62170.1001 (General Fund, Administration, Private Contractual Services, Temporary Staffing). If the pilot program is successful, staff will seek funding through the FY 2025-26 Budget Process to continue the program.
Library Services Department
The total contract amount for ambassador services from November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 , will be $ 94,643.45. As part of the FY 2023 -24 budget carryover process, Council authorized the LS Department use of specified funds for security enhancement measures and security ambassador service; therefore, there will no fiscal impact from the recommended action. Sufficient funds are available in account 001. LB01A.62170.1001 (General Fund, Library Services Department, Administration & Technical Services, Private Con tractual Services, Temporary Staffing). If the pilot program is successful, staff will seek funding through the FY 2025-26 Budget Process to continue the program.
CONCLUSION
The safety and enjoyment of the City’s parks, libraries, and public areas is essential to the quality of life in the community. The homeless outreach services and security 6 ambassador services will enhance community engagement, rapidly respond to incidents, provide regular monitoring and maintenance, and enhance safety and security within the City. Therefore, CDD, P&R, and LS recommend that Council approve the temporary sole- source agreement with Allied from N ovember 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to provide homeless outreach services and security ambassador services throughout the community.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – PSA with Universal Protection Service, LP, DBA Allied Universal Security Services