January 17, 2023
Community Development
DATE: January 17, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Jesus M. Morales, Housing Manager
Subject:
Amendment to Emergency Security Services Contract
with Ascend Professional Services, LLC for the Castro
Encampment
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed security services will be paid for using funds from the $4.8 million encampment resolution grant received from the California Interagency Council on
Homelessness (Cal ICH) (Account String: 15061219-
400201-16G07).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
On November 22, 2022, the City Council approved a
contract for emergency security services for the Castro Encampment to provide security guard services, for up to three guards, on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the period ending January 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting authorization to enter into the first amendment to the emergency security services contract
with Ascend Professional Services, LLC to continue to
address life, property, and public safety issues at the Castro Encampment.
AGENDA
REPORT
January 17, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a first amendment to the contract with Ascend
Professional Services, LLC., in the amount of $175,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $375,000, to
provide security guard services, for up to three guards, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an extended
contract term through March 31, 2023 – Community
Development Department (Lina Velasco/Jesus M.
Morales 510-620-6706).
DISCUSSION:
The Community Development Department needs to continue the previously approved emergency security services contract for the Castro Encampment, approved by City Council on November 22, 2022. The Castro Encampment, located at Hensley and Castro Streets, is comprised of approximately 60 vehicles and 80 individuals. This encampment has been a source of documented and undocumented criminal activity over the past couple of years, including illegal dumping, stolen vehicles, drug activity, burglary, and sexual assault.
City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide security services at the Castro Homeless Encampment on December 19, 2022, with a due date of December 30, 2022. Fifteen responses to the RFP were received. City staff members will need time to review the large number of responses to ensure a fair and equitable review process of all submittals. To avoid any gap in the provision of the needed security services while the RFP process continues, the first amendment to the emergency security services contract with Ascend Professional Services, LLC (Ascend) will maintain security services until the new security firm is selected and the contract is approved by City Council.
The security services at the Castro encampment have started to positively impact the level of illegal activity as residents and visitors become aware of the security’s presence in conjunction with the resident rules and regulations provided by the project manager, and registration and issuance of parking stickers for residents’ registered vehicles.
The first amendment to the emergency security services contract with Ascend would continue the security guard services including three guards on duty, 24 hours a day, extending the contract term through March 31, 2023, adding an additional $175,000 to the $200,000 that was previously approved on November 22, 2022.
Chauncey Kirtdoll, principal of Ascend, has over 25 years of experience in human resources, project and property security services, and military training. Ascend has been providing security in various locations and property types such as shopping malls, parking lots, schools, apartment buildings, grocery stores, homeless encampments, and other large public events. All security staff is or will be licensed by the State of California for security services. In addition, Mr. Kirtdoll provides and requires Ascend staff to participate in training to enhance their people management skills. His firm can access
January 17, 2023
additional staffing as needed based on the requirements of each assignment. Ascend has the necessary staff for the current and ongoing assignment.
Ascend Professional Services, LLC has been providing satisfactory emergency security services for the Castro encampment and City staff recommends authorization to enter into the first amendment to the emergency security services contract with Ascend Professional Services, LLC for continual emergency security services.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Contract Amendment#1
Attachment 2 – Executed Standard Contract