CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 27, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AWARD CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26B072 WITH
UNIVERSAL GREEN LLC FOR LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS
MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR CITY FACILITIES
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: David McAbee, Director of Public Works
SUMMARY:
This action will award a contract services agreement with Universal Green LLC for landscape and grounds maintenance services of City facilities in an amount not to exceed $733,550 for an initial three-year term.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B072 with Universal Green LLC to provide landscape and grounds maintenance services of City facilities in an amount not to exceed $733,550 for an initial three-year term commencing on July 1, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 2029, with two one-year extension options at the City’s sole discretion; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B) submitted in April 2026, Universal Green LLC is registered in the state of California.
BACKGROUND:
The City currently maintains a contract services agreement with Universal Green for landscape and grounds maintenance services of seventeen (17) City facilities and nineteen (19) airport zones. The agreement was originally approved by the City Council on June 5, 2023, for a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2023, and continuing through June 30, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $1,406,256.40.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 2
Agreement No. 26B072 for Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Services 8 4
7 Recently, as each joint contract that services both facilities within the Airport and Public Works has approached its end, each department has been soliciting and awarding separate contracts for needed services, allowing for direct management by each department.
The nineteen (19) airport zones previously included under the current Public Works agreement are not included in this contract. The Aviation Department is conducting a separate competitive procurement, with award anticipated to align with the July 1, 2026, start of the new fiscal year.
As the agreement is reaching the end of its term, this action will replace the existing contract through a competitive procurement conducted under an Invitation for Bids to ensure continuity in landscape and grounds maintenance services specific to City facilities.
Universal Green has performed satisfactorily during the current contract term. Staff have noted a reduction in complaints compared to the previous contractor, and the contractor has been responsive and accessible in addressing issues and service requests.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On March 16, 2026, the Procurement and Contracting Department issued Invitation for Bids 26-06 (IFB 26-06) for landscape and grounds maintenance services based on the specifications provided by the Public Works Department. IFB 26-06 was advertised in the local newspaper, published on PlanetBids website with notification to 155 registered vendors. This outreach resulted in the submission of 7 bids.
The following contractors submitted bids for consideration by the April 15, 2026, deadline.
Vendor Location Bids
Universal Green LLC Desert Hot Springs, CA $733,550.00
Southwest Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. Indio, CA $1,279,463.00 New Generation Landscape Management,
Inc.
San Bernardino, CA $1,344,864.49
Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. Irwindale, CA $1,390,478.20
Orozco Landscape and Tree Co. Poma, CA $1,734,859.97
Conserve LandCare Indio, CA $2,947,558.92
GF Landscaping Hacienda Heights, CA $2,749,375.00
Landscape and grounds maintenance services include twenty-one (21) City facilities consisting of approximately 58 acres of total area including roughly 24 acres of landscaped areas, 3 acres of turf grass and 1,006 trees (including turf, desert and native landscaped areas).
Agreement 26B072 is for an initial three-year term with two optional one-year renewal City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 3
Agreement No. 26B072 for Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Services 8 4
7 extensions. The unit pricing is fixed for the first year and will be adjusted annually on July 1 by the percentage change in the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index, and a corresponding blended percentage increase to the applicable State prevailing wage rates for “Landscape Maintenance Laborer” as detailed by the schedule of compensation.
Therefore, staff recommends approval of Contract Services Agreement 26B072 with Universal Green LLC, for landscape and grounds maintenance services of City facilities in an amount not to exceed $733,550, for the initial three-year term, with two one-year extension options at the City’s sole discretion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Infrastructure and Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is available in Fiscal Year 2026-27 and will be budgeted in subsequent fiscal years.
Public Works:
1006535-40105
1006540-40105
5206570-40105 & 50119
REVIEWED BY:
Assistant Director of Public Works: Daniel Martinez
Director of Public Works: David McAbee
Procurement and Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Scott Stiles
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 4
Agreement No. 26B072 for Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Services 8 4
7 ATTACHMENTS:
A. Contract Services Agreement 26B072
B. Public Integrity Disclosure Form