City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 26, 2022
Agenda Item: 3.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Code Enforcement
Subject: Approval of Contract Modification with California Panther Security to Provide Security Services Related to Pier Vending
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second modification to Agreement #4865 with A.G. Coast, Inc, d/b/a CA Panther, for security services on and around the Santa Monica. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to SMMC
2.24.250(g), is for a total amount not to exceed $732,000 ($482,000 over the initial agreement amount of $250,000 under the City Manager’s authority) and will extend the term of the agreement through June 30, 2023.
Summary
Council directed staff at their February 22, 2022, meeting to continue with the Pier Task Force, which was created to address concerns over safety, public health, and the environment related to unpermitted vending. Contract security services provided by A.G. Coast, Inc. (dba CA Panther) are instrumental in assisting the Pier Task Force in reducing unpermitted vending on and around the Santa Monica Pier. Staff recommends that the City modify its agreement with CA Panther to continue contract security services through the end of FY 2022-23. This would ensure the Pier Task Force has the contracted security services needed to continue addressing unpermitted vending and its associated public safety, public health, and environmental risks.
Discussion
In October 2021, the City began using Allied Security, to provide unarmed security services to monitor ingress points to prevent unpermitted vendor access onto the Santa 2 of 4
Monica Pier and assist with the Code Enforcement Division’s Pier Detail, through an existing City contract. The use of Allied Security was intended to be short-term in response to the emergency safety issues on the Pier, with an estimated cost of $25,000, while the City solicited informal bids from two additional security companies to supplement staff’s efforts.
Three firms were contacted to assist with the efforts through March 2022: Allied Security, Inter-Con Security, and CA Panther. Allied Security informed staff that it did not provide part-time security services on a contractual basis. Inter-Con Security, a second security company, initially responded to the request with a quote, but then modified their response to increase their hourly rate, which left CA Panther as the lowest responsible bidder of the three vendors.
In January 2022, the City contracted with CA Panther, to provide security services on and around the Santa Monica Pier through June 30, 2022, for an amount not to exceed $250,000, under the City Manager’s authority pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) 2.24.070. A first modification of the agreement has since been executed to modify the scope of work including days and work hours.
On February 22, 2022, the City Council held a study session to discuss the issue of continued unpermitted vending on and around the Pier and to consider the future of the Pier Task Force. Council directed staff to extend security services at the Pier through June 30, 2023. To ensure there is no disruption of services to the current operation on the Pier, there is insufficient time to complete the formal bidding process, as is required for contractual services contracts over $250,000. See SMMC 2.24.130, 2.24.220.
Given the substantial interference with required City operations that would result if there were a disruption of services, an exception to the competitive selection process applies here. See SMMC 2.24.250(g). By extending the contract, the City will continue with the staffing and deployment, with a slight reduction in the staffing schedule, while maintaining the Task Force approach, momentum, and saving costs. The Council direction included the continued deployment of contracted security services at Pier 3 of 4
entrances Friday through Sunday but consolidates two shifts into one shift to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
Under the City’s current contract with CA Panther, two shifts of unarmed security officers are provided Friday through Sunday through the end of this fiscal year in an amount not to exceed $250,000. This contract will be modified to include one shift of unarmed security officers working a 12-hour shift Friday through Sunday beginning March 18, 2022, through June 30, 2023. This modification will increase the current contract by $482,000 with a new total of $732,000 through FY 2022-23.
Past Council Actions
2/22/2022 Citywide Response to Sidewalk Vending Study Session 4/19/2019 Comprehensive Sidewalk Vending Program and Emergency Ordinance
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve funding from the General Fund to increase the amount of the agreement with A.G. Coast, Inc. (dba CA Panther) and continue deployment of contract security officers on and around the Santa Monica Pier through FY 22-23.
Budget changes will be included in the Proposed FY 2022-23 Exception Based Budget.
Contract Modification Request: A.G. Coast, Inc.
Agreement Number
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2021-22
Budget
Modified
Request
Amount Dept Account #
Total Revised
Contract
Amount
4865 $250,000 $482,000 01800004.553250 $732,000
TOTAL $732,000
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Prepared By: Cheryl Shavers, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. CA Panther Oaks Initiative Form
B. CA Panther Living Wage 21-22
C. CA Panther Non Discrimination Policy
D. CA Panther COVID 19 Vaccine Policy Attestation
E. Written Comment