CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JUNE 24, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AWARD CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26B090 WITH
UNIVERSAL GREEN LLC FOR LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS
MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Aviation
SUMMARY:
This action will award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 (Agreement) to Universal Green LLC (Universal Green) for landscape and grounds maintenance services at the Palm Springs International Airport (Airport) for an amount not to exceed $813,600 for an initial three-year term, with two one-year extension options.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 (Attachment A) with Universal Green LLC to provide landscape and grounds maintenance services at Palm Springs International Airport in an amount not to exceed $813,600 for an initial three-year term commencing on July 1, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 2029, with two one-year extension options upon mutual agreement. 2) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents subject to such changes/revisions agreeable to the City Manager and City Attorney.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B) submitted on May 7, 2026, Universal Green LLC is registered in the state of California.
BACKGROUND:
Palm Springs International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, serving approximately 3.31 million passengers in calendar year 2025. The Airport
City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 2
Award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 with Universal Green is the primary gateway to the Coachella Valley, supporting regional connectivity, tourism, and economic development. Maintaining airport grounds in a clean, safe, and attractive condition is essential to operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and supports the Airport’s Mission Statement of “Moving you with unforgettable hospitality.” The City currently maintains a contract services agreement with Universal Green LLC for landscape and grounds maintenance services of twenty (20) City facilities and (19) Airport zones. The agreement was originally approved by 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.
Due to the Airport’s operational requirements, including seven-day-per-week service coverage, emergency response obligations, irrigation system maintenance, and management of airfield-adjacent landscaped areas, Airport staff determined that a dedicated Airport contract would better address the Airport’s service needs.
The Airport also has a contract with Desert Arc for landscaping and trash collection services for the Airport's interior courtyard and Loop Road. Due to the scale and operational requirements of 19 airport zones, Universal Green is better equipped to provide the staffing, equipment, and resources needed to perform these services, which are also beyond the capacity of the Airport staff.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On April 6, 2026, the Procurement and Contracting Department issued Invitation for Bids 26-08 (IFB 26-08) for landscape and grounds maintenance services based on the specifications provided by the Aviation Department. IFB 26-08 was advertised in the local newspaper, published on PlanetBids website with notification to 158 registered vendors.
This outreach resulted in the submission of 8 bids.
The following firms submitted proposals for consideration by May 7, 2026, deadline.
Vendor Location Bids
Universal Green LLC Desert Hot Springs, CA $611,100.00
Southwest Landscape & Maintenance,
Inc.
Indio, CA $748,489.61
Orozco Landscape and Tree Co. Pomona, CA $777,674.91
New Generation Landscape
Management, Inc
San Bernardino, CA $1,302,824.25
So. Cal Land Maintenance, Inc Anaheim, CA $1,322,695.00 Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. Irwindale, CA $1,388,576.53
Kirkpatrick Landscaping Services Indio, CA $1,947,324.70 PS Tree Service and Maintenance Cathedral City, CA $3,383,650.00 City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 3
Award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 with Universal Green Landscape and grounds maintenance services include nineteen (19) Airport zones consisting of approximately 11.9 acres of turf, 18 acres of desert landscape, 13.5 acres of native landscape, and 55 acres of planted landscape areas as depicted in the zone maps in Appendix “A” of the Agreement (Attachment A). Services include irrigation system maintenance and repair, litter removal, weed control, turf and landscape maintenance, graffiti removal, trash receptacle servicing, emergency response, and related grounds maintenance activities.
Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 with Universal Green LLC in the amount of $813,600 provides for an initial three-year term with two optional one-year renewal terms.
The contractor’s submitted bid for the initial three-year term totaled $611,100. The recommended additional contract compensation in the amount of $202,500 is factoring in the cost of the annual irrigation parts in excess of the $25,000 to be provided by Universal Green, as required under the Agreement, as needed additional services, and emergency response services equating to an estimated $67,500 in extra services over the initial three-year term. The cost breakdown is provided in Attachment C.
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.
Staff recommend approval of Contract Services Agreement 26B090 with Universal Green LLC, for landscape and grounds maintenance services of Palm Springs International Airport in an amount not to exceed $813,600 for the initial three-year term, with two one- year extension options upon mutual agreement.
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:
Approval of this action supports the City of Palm Springs’ Strategic Plan Broad Goals of Infrastructure and Facilities, and it also supports the Airport’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan’s Strategic Priorities for Operational Excellence and Infrastructure.
City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 4
Award Contract Services Agreement No. 26B090 with Universal Green FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding of $271,200 is budgeted in Fiscal Year 2026-27 and sufficient funds will be budgeted in Fiscal Years 2027-28 and 2028-29 in the Department of Aviation Grounds Maintenance Account 4157045-40105.
REVIEWED BY:
Interim Executive Director of Aviation: Victoria Carpenter Procurement and Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
City Attorney: Geremy Holm
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Contract Services Agreement 26B090
B. Public Integrity Disclosure Form
C. Cost Breakdown