Item No. 9.
TO:HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY:JASON CHACON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION
DATE:MAY 26, 2026
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH STAR-DUST TOUR INC.
FOR YOUTH AND ADULT FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider the approval of a one-year extension to the professional services agreement with Star-Dust Tour, Inc. for the continued transportation services for youth and adult field trips. Star-dust has provided adequate services over the past 29 months for field trips and tours. The proposed one-year extension to the professional services agreement, will ensure uninterrupted transportation services in support of ongoing youth and adult programming and community field trip activities.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute Amendment No. 2, and extension of the Professional Services Agreement with Star-Dust Tours, Inc., dba The Bus, extending the term for an additional one-year period through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $193,440.
BACKGROUND
Parks and Recreation offers field trips for the public through different divisions with the Department. The goal of the recreational trips is to provide one-day opportunities for youth and adults to attend a variety of entertainment and educational venues. This program, by making congregate trips to the various destinations, reduces the number of vehicles on the highway, and aids in the elimination of air pollutants and traffic congestion by providing a single mode and provider of transport for attendees.
For example, there are trips for adults to casinos/museums, specialty trips to the Dodger game, trips for the youth sports programs to colleges, and youth day camp trips to amusement parks. Staff from each Parks and Recreation division books their trips independently, which led to multiple vendors used to supply buses.
In an effort to enter into a contract and streamline the process, a Request for Proposal was opened for charter buses. The resultant proposals were scored by a review panel, and Star-Dust Tour, Inc., dba The Bus, was selected and subsequently entered in a Professional Services agreement with the City on January 9, 2024, until June 30,2025, with the option to extend for two, one-year extensions through June 30, 2027.
ANALYSIS
Star-Dust Tours, Inc. was desirable due to the long-term experience of similar work with city and school agencies.
They are based out of Montebello, CA, providing the desired proximity and shorter response time to Downey. They have many buses in their fleet and are able to provide ADA accessible buses upon request. Their pricing has remained competitive of $1,200 per 56 passenger charter bus for a five-hour day trip, $180 for each overtime hour, no fuel costs, and no additional fees.
Star-Dust Tour is expected to be utilized to book approximately 136 buses for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027. This is an increased amount from the previous 117 buses in FY 2025-2026 as more interest and registrations have occurred for Parks programs with some trips maintaining a wait list.
The majority of Parks and Recreation Department field trips are scheduled during the summer months, and, therefore, the continuation of services with Star-Dust Tours Inc. will allow for a seamless transition from June to July and allow trips to remain scheduled.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Efficiency & Adaptability
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in a total appropriation of $193,440 from both Proposition A and Measure R funds that can only be spent on transit and transit related programs and projects. No general funds will be used. Funding has been included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, with applicable accounts listed in the table below.
Fund Account Number Amount
Prop A 55-4-6230-0700 $180,480
Measure R 56-4-3305-0700 $12,960
Total $193,440
Attachments
Attachment A: Second Amendment to Agreement with Star-Dust Inc. and City of Downey
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH STAR-DUST TOURS, INC.
FOR YOUTH AND ADULT FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT to the above-referenced agreement is entered into on July 1, 2026, by and between Star-Dust Tours, Inc. dba The Bus (“Consultant”), and the City of Downey, a charter city and municipal corporation organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of California (“City”). Together, the City and Consultant shall be referred to as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
A. On January 9, 2024, the City entered into an Agreement with Star-Dust Tours, Inc. dba The Bus to provide Youth and Adult Field Trip Transportation services (“Agreement”).
B. On July 1, 2025, the Parties amended the Agreement to extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2026.
C. The Parties now wish to further amend the Agreement to expand the term and schedule of services and provide compensation on account thereof.
The Parties therefore agree:
1. Section 3.1.2, Term, is amended to extend the term of the Agreement for the one- year period beginning July 1, 2026.
2. Section 3.2.2, Schedule of Services, is amended to include the Schedule of Services appearing in the attached “Exhibit A.”
3. Section 3.3.1, Compensation, is amended to increase compensation in the total amount not to exceed $193,440 for the one-year period beginning July 1, 2026, as appearing in the attached “Exhibit B.”
4. Except as modified by this Second Amendment and all prior amendments, all terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Second Amendment to the Agreement on the date and year first written above.
Docusign Envelope ID: C260F4D4-35A1-80F9-838E-F069596238CE
ATTEST CITY OF DOWNEY
Alicia Duarte Claudia Frometa
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM CONTRACTOR
John M. Funk Frank Gonzalez Jr.
City Attorney President
Docusign Envelope ID: C260F4D4-35A1-80F9-838E-F069596238CE
EXHIBIT "A"
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Tentative Schedule
Camp/Youth Trips Notes Total Bus
Quantity
Type
Preferred
Summer Camp:
9 weeks
July, Aug 2026 & June 2027
Excursion (2), mini trips (2),
Shuttle (1)
45 School
Bus
Camp:
Thanksgiving Week 2026,
February Week 2027,
Spring Week 2027
Excursion (2), mini trips (2),
Shuttle (1)
15 School
Bus
Camp: Winter Break Excursion (4), mini trips (4),
Shuttle (2)
10 School
Bus
Playground Adventures: July,
Aug 2026
Buses to locations in Downey 9 School
Bus
Playground Adventures: June
2027
Buses to locations in Downey 2 School
Bus
Teen Program 1 excursion 4 School
Bus
Lifeguard Program 1 excursion 1 School
Bus
Preschool: Fall 2026 Indoor Playground/Museum 2 School
Bus
Preschool: Spring 2026 Indoor Playground/Museum 2
School
Bus
Sports:
Seal Beach Pier, Griffith Park,
College Tours
Excursion (2) Campus Tour 9
9 School
Bus
Youth Trips (ADA needed) Notes
Total
Bus
Quantity
Type
Required
Adaptive Recreation Excursion (2), Local trip (1), Local trip (1)
5 Charter
Adult Trips (ADA needed) Notes
Total
Bus
Quantity
Type
Required
Adult Excursions:
one Sunday a month Excursion (2) 24
Charter
Bus
Hollywood Bowl Excursion (1) 2
Charter
Bus
Senior Mingle Weekday 1
Charter
Bus
Southeast Senior Ball Weekend May 2027 1
Charter
Bus
Dodger Game: Summer 2026
& Summer 2027 Excursion (2) 4
Charter
Bus
Approximate Total from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 136 Docusign Envelope ID: C260F4D4-35A1-80F9-838E-F069596238CE
Approximately 86 buses were used for FY 2024-2025.
Approximately 117 buses will be used for 2025-2026.
Approximately 136 buses will be used for 2026-2027.
Docusign Envelope ID: C260F4D4-35A1-80F9-838E-F069596238CE
EXHIBIT "B"
COMPENSATION
Star-Dust Tours cost:
July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
Total Cost for Day: $1,200.00 (5-hour minimum)
Hourly Rate beyond 5 hours: $180.00 (Overtime)
136 buses @ $1,200.00 for 5 hours = $163,200
168 overtime hours @ $180/hour = $30,240
Fiscal
Year
Amount
of Buses
that seat
56 passeng
ers
Base Cost
for 5
hours
Subtotal
Base Cost
Amount
of
Overtime
Hours
Overtime rate
per hour beyond
5 hour base
Subtotal
Overtime
Cost
Approximate
Total Amount for
Fiscal Year
2026-2027
2026-
2027 135 $1,200 $163,200 168 $180/hour $30,240 $193,440
Docusign Envelope ID: C260F4D4-35A1-80F9-838E-F069596238CE