CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
February 26, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Mark J. Gluba, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: AWARD A SOLE SOURCE AGREEMENT TO KEN GRODY FOR VEHICLE PURCHASES IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000 FOR FY 2023-24 IN SUPPORT OF A PARK AMBASSADOR PILOT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve a purchase of three 2024 Ford Maverick trucks from Ken Grody Ford in the amount of $120,000 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Award of a sole source agreement for Ken Gordy Ford will enable the Community Services Department to purchase three vehicles to administer a pilot Park Ambassador Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
For FY 2023-24, funding is available in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Mayoral funding for the Park Ambassador Pilot Program (191-0207-66182-10049). The estimated ongoing annual cost of vehicle operation and maintenance is $6,000 and funds are available in FY 2023-24 Operating Budget account 101-4110-52420-0000 and will be budgeted in future appropriations.
DISCUSSION:
The concepts of a Park Ambassador or Park Ranger Program has been discussed in past years to address common issues at parks. Such a program would maintain a regular presence in parks beyond regular maintenance crews and programmatic staff assisting to reduce the amount of vandalism to park amenities and improve user experiences. Community members, City Council, Commissioners and staff share a common desire for Pomona Parks to be safer and used for their intended positive purpose of recreation. In an effort to gather information, staff met with local agencies similar in size and demographics to Pomona that enlist the services of a park ranger/ambassador program. The cities of Claremont, Corona, Long Beach, and Upland provided information on their vehicles and aftermarket equipment.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) funding allocation process, the Mayor earmarked $150,000 for a Park Ambassador Pilot Program. The purchase of vehicles is vital to the launch and success of the program and will be one of the most expensive start-up costs to the Park Ambassador Program. Due to new ARP deadlines and funding restrictions, the ARP Sub-Committee supported City staff by allocating funds for the purchase of vehicles and equipment to support the pilot program instead of funding part-time seasonal staffing. The remaining funds of this allocation will be used to properly equip the vehicles for their intended purpose and buy other programmatically required equipment for the Park Ambassadors.
The pilot program would assist the City in better assessing the benefits and impact of meeting the needs and safety interests of the community. Staff will explore options for the structure of the Pilot Park Ambassador program, in consult with the Parks and Recreation Commission, as will either use other funding sources for personnel costs or volunteers to support the initial Ambassador Program in the current fiscal year.
Per City Code Section 2-994, the City Council must approve any sole source purchase request over $100,000. This request has been reviewed by the Purchasing Officer, Finance Director and City Manager. Due to the limited amount of Ford Mavericks available it is recommended that this sole source purchase be approved.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021-2022 City Council Priority 4: Safe and Clean Community – Invest in public safety, community programming, and maintenance of properties and infrastructures to ensure residents, businesses, visitors, and employees feel safe, neighborhoods reflect the beauty of Pomona, and the community feels as sense of pride and ownership of the City, Goal M: Improve safety and cleanliness at parks and public spaces.
Prepared by:
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Monica Belloso
Management Analyst
Award Sole Source for Vehicle Purchase for Park Ambassador Program