STAFF REPORT
1 Meeting Date:
August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW AND STRATEGIC REVIEW OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE,
DAY PORTER, AND SIDEWALK CLEANING SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive a presentation from staff on current and proposed maintenance service models for landscape maintenance, day porter operations, and sidewalk cleaning;
2. Provide direction on service model preferences, potential enhancements, and use of performance tracking tools; and
3. Determine that the action consists of organizational or administrative activities of the City that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).
Appropriation: Fund:
Submitted By: . Approved:
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
OVERVIEW AND STRATEGIC REVIEW OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE, DAY PORTER,
AND SIDEWALK CLEANING SERVICES
August 12, 2025
The City of Laguna Beach currently delivers landscape maintenance, day porter, and sidewalk cleaning services through a combination of in-house staff and contracted providers. Landscape maintenance is performed both by City crews, servicing over 100 public locations weekly, and through contractual services with Parkwood Landscape Maintenance and other contractors. Parkwood Landscape Maintenance (Parkwood) is responsible for 22 larger parks, medians, and rights-of-way under a contract valued at approximately $170,000 annually, set to expire on October 31, 2025. In addition to general park and landscape maintenance, the City contracts for specialized landscape services including weed abatement and site-specific maintenance. These include annual weed abatement by Parkwood, site maintenance at the Community and Recreation Center (CRC) by My Botanica, Inc., and median-specific weed control performed citywide. The total estimated annual cost for all contractual landscape maintenance and weed abatement services is approximately $300,000.
Day porter and sidewalk cleaning services are provided by Spectrum Facility Maintenance (Spectrum) under Agreement No. 20-121, with a total annual contract value of $1,104,628. Services include routine pressure washing of the sidewalks in the Downtown Central Business District (Downtown) and along several segments of Coast Highway, pressure washing of parking structures, and custodial operations at key community locations including the Downtown, Main Beach Park, Aliso Beach Park, and other South Laguna beaches. The current scope of work encompasses over 33,000 combined day porter hours and 175 different pressure washing events per year and is supported by City-provided custodial such as supplies such as paper toiletries, soap, and trash liners.
As the City prepares for potential contract renewals and long-term service planning, staff is seeking City Council direction on opportunities to enhance maintenance service delivery. Key objectives include evaluating cost-efficiency, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and appearance in public areas, and ensuring services are responsive to both operational needs and community expectations.
DISCUSSION
To assist the City Council in understanding the structure and scope of existing maintenance operations, the table below summarizes key service areas, providers, responsibilities, and associated costs. Additional details regarding each service area, including staffing models, service frequencies, and areas of responsibility, are provided in the following sections.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The Fiscal Year 2025–26 Adopted Budget allocates $1.45 million to maintain existing service levels. Any changes to the scope of services may result in additional costs and require further appropriations. Staff will incorporate any new annual costs into future budget proposals for City Council consideration.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW AND STRATEGIC REVIEW OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE, DAY PORTER,
AND SIDEWALK CLEANING SERVICES
August 12, 2025
The recommended action consists of organizational or administrative activities of the City that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).) Before the City Council tonight is a report on current and proposed maintenance service model for landscape maintenance, day porter operations and sidewalk cleaning. There will be no direct or indirect physical change to the environment and any future project or change in policy on the matters discussed will necessitate independent environmental review.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Inventory of City-Maintained Landscape Areas and Maintenance Assignments (Pgs. 7-9)
2. Day Porter Cleaning Services (Pg. 10)
3. Sidewalk Cleaning Services (Pg. 11-14)
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Ashley Moran, Sr. PW Analyst/Solid Waste
Coordinator
Reza Jafari, Deputy Director/ Public Services