Agenda Item: 13
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: June 23, 2026
SUBJECT: LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR LMD ZONE T46 (NORTHBRIDGE) AND ZONE T47 (NORTHPARK)
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
PRESENTER: Andrew Adams
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a five-year contract to Marina Landscape Services, Inc., to provide landscape maintenance services for Landscape Maintenance District Zone T46 (Northbridge) and Zone T47 (Northpark), for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,360,646.
2. Appropriate an ongoing budget increase, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-27, from the Landscape Maintenance District Fund Balance (Fund 357) in the amount of $75,898 to expenditure account 3572425-516110 and $81,706 to expenditure account 3572426-516110, contingent upon appropriation of funds by the City Council in each fiscal year.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review.
4. Find that the award of contract is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Article 19 - Categorical Exemptions, Section 15301, Existing Facilities, (h) Maintenance of Existing Landscaping.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clarita (City) administers 63 financially independent zones within the Landscape Maintenance District (LMD), providing landscape maintenance services through contracts with private companies.
The City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified vendors for landscape maintenance services in LMD Zone T46 (Northpark) and LMD Zone T47
(Northbridge). The RFP was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system BidNet on March 12, 2026. The City transmitted the solicitation to 1,327 vendors on BidNet, of which 49 vendors downloaded the RFP. Seven companies provided proposals for consideration.
Unlike a traditional low-bid procurement, where the award is based upon the lowest, most responsive bid, the RFP approach utilizes multiple weighted criteria to evaluate and score proposals. This approach reinforces performance expectations and ensures that vendors dedicate adequate staffing to service the contract. While the price for services is a component constituting 40 percent of the weighted criteria, 60 percent of the criteria concentrates on the overall value provided, including the composition and structure of the contractor’s crew, proposed maintenance scheduling, understanding of the specifications, and associated references.
These proposals were reviewed and evaluated based on each proposer’s ability to meet the specific demands of the LMD maintenance zones. An evaluation panel comprised of staff representing the City’s Special Districts division scored the responses using the following categories of weighted criteria:
• Team Composition: Contractor qualifications, staff qualifications, and number of staff provided. (15%)
• Rotation Schedule: Use and mobilization of resources. Proposed timeline to service all areas. (20%)
• Acknowledgement and Successful Understanding of Scope of Work: Proposed method and guidelines for adhering to the landscape maintenance requirements to include but not limited to: description and clarity of approach in the areas of proactiveness, responsiveness, familiarity with common concerns of the LMD areas and problem resolution. (15%)
• References (10%)
• Cost of Services Provided (10%)
• Value: Cost in relation to manpower. What makes the contractor the best candidate to provide the services requested. (30%)
The evaluation team scored the responses based on a 300-point system, with results outlined below. Proposal costs ranged from $577,990 to $918,000, reflecting a wide range of service approaches and staffing levels.
COMPANY LOCATION POINTS
AWARDED
ANNUAL
COST
WEEKLY
HOURS
AVERAGE
HOURLY
RATE
Marina Landscape Services,
Inc.
Santa Clarita,
CA
254 $ 805,380 447 $ 37.54
Stay Green, Inc. Santa Clarita,
CA
249 $ 786,656 385 $ 42.57
Oakridge Landscape, Inc. Santa Clarita,
CA
241 $ 918,000 452 $ 42.31
(Cont.)
COMPANY
LOCATION
POINTS
AWARDED
ANNUAL
COST
WEEKLY
COST
AVERAGE
HOURLY
RATE
EMTS, Inc. Clovis, CA 228 $ 807,324 416 $ 40.43
American Heritage
Landscape
Canoga Park,
CA
203 $ 852,480 384 $ 46.25
Green Coast Landscapes,
Inc.
Somis, CA 162 $ 785,969 410 $ 39.94
Bark & Branch Landscaping Santa Paula,
CA
115 $ 577,990 212 $ 56.80
Marina Landscape Services, Inc. (Marina), received the highest score from the evaluation panel.
Marina demonstrated a strong understanding of the maintenance requirements within the two zones and proposed a well-structured staffing plan with a rotation schedule designed to meet service demands.
Key strengths of Marina’s proposal include:
• Comprehensive crew structure aligned with service need • Strong responsiveness and maintenance approach
• Verified positive performance references
The evaluation scoring was based solely on the original proposals submitted. Finalizing scope and pricing with the top-ranked proposer ensured the contract meets operational needs while maintaining overall value.
The recommended five-year contract with Marina has a total not-to-exceed amount of $5,360,646, which reflects the annual contract cost of $805,380, anticipated service level adjustments, and an allocation to address unforeseen repair and maintenance needs that may arise during the term of the agreement. To ensure sufficient funding to support the proposed service levels and ongoing maintenance needs within the respective zones, staff recommends ongoing annual appropriations beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 from the LMD Fund Balance (Fund 357) of $75,898 for Zone T46 and $81,706 for Zone T47.
The increase in expenditure authority granted by the City Council does not guarantee additional compensation under the terms of the recommended contract. The City retains the discretion to engage alternative contractors if necessary. Any unscheduled repair work or one-time enhancement projects performed by Marina under the contract will still require staff review and prior authorization from the City’s Special Districts division. Additionally, to enhance maintenance standards and enforce accountability, the contract includes provisions for payment reductions in the event of poor performance.
The award of this contract is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Article 19 - Categorical Exemptions, Section 15301, Existing Facilities, (h) Maintenance of Existing Landscaping. This contract meets the criteria for this exemption because the scope of work falls under existing landscape maintenance.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, beginning in FY 2026-27, an ongoing budget increase of $75,898 to Expenditure Account 3572425-516110 and $81,706 to Expenditure Account 3572426-516110 will be appropriated from the Landscape Maintenance District Fund Balance (Fund 357), contingent upon appropriation of funds by the City Council during the annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
LMD-25-26-28 ZONES T46 & T47 - Published Bid Documents (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
LMD-25-26-28 ZONES T46 & T47 - Marina Landscape Services, Inc. Response File (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)