City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 13, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.L
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Approval of First Modification of Agreement #4982 with Good Guard Security Inc. for Parking Structure Security Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #4982 in the amount of $2,200,000 with Good Guard Security, Inc. to provide overnight security services in parking facilities and adjacent areas. This will result in a five and a half year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $2,400,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica currently manages and maintains ten parking structures in the City’s downtown area. The parking structures, which also include public restrooms and refuse enclosures, enhance accessibility to restaurants, retail, and other businesses for those visiting and working in downtown. As part of the City’s commitment to a Clean and Safe Santa Monica, the City piloted a six-month agreement with Good Guard Security, Inc. for overnight security services in these parking facilities. Staff recommends increasing the contract amount and extending the contract term for an additional five years. If Good Guard fails or refuses to perform its duties, and if the default is not cured within a period of five days, the City has the option to terminate this agreement by written notice to Good Guard.
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Discussion
In July 2022, staff began the process of soliciting unarmed security guard services for Santa Monica Downtown City Parking Structures 1,2,4,5,6,9,10, and added the Ken Edwards Center, Main Library, and the Civic Center to the scope of services. The three additional structures were added to the scope due to a lack of security patrol services at those locations. Vendors were to provide cost proposals for four (4) security guards, of which one must be a supervisor, for eight-hour shifts between the hours of 2100 to 0500, seven days per week. The duties consisted of patrolling parking structures by vehicle and foot, notify law enforcement of any unlawful activity, patrol adjacent areas and stairwells, and respond to emergency situations such as fire alarms, power outages, and medical emergencies.
A Request for Qualifications for Unarmed Security Patrol Services closed on September 16, 2022. At that time, the City received eleven vendor proposals and evaluated all vendors using the following criteria: Experience, References, Qualifications, Staffing, Capabilities, Licenses and Certifications, and Quality Control. Of the eleven vendors, seven met the qualifications criteria and were invited to bid under Bid No. 4439. Of the seven vendors that were invited to bid, four submitted bids by the October 19, 2022 deadline and all four vendors were invited to present their proposals to the evaluation team.
The bids were evaluated based on the criteria in SMMC 2.24.180 including price, ability, capacity, and skill to perform or provide services, and the character, integrity, reputation, judgment, training, experience, and efficiency of the bidder. Of the four vendors, staff selected Good Guard Security, Inc. as the best qualified vendor. Good Guard stood out among the group for two reasons: the technology they deploy and their customer-oriented approach.
In January 2023, the City piloted a six-month program with Good Guard Security Inc, with a contract term ending on June 30, 2023. The pilot program proved successful, with a notable decrease in calls for police services at all parking structures, the Main Library, and the Ken Edwards Center (KEC). A comparison from January through May of 2022 to 2023 proved a decrease of 48% in calls for service. Calls for service specific to Burglary Theft from Motor Vehicle (BTFMV) have decreased by 60%. Library staff noticed the impact of overnight security in stairwells, library grounds, and elevators. 3 of 4
During the pilot period, security guard schedules were adjusted to meet the changing needs of the Main Library and the Ken Edwards Center. The schedule adjustment produced noticeable results almost instantly. During the pilot period, there was a need for additional guards during the daytime hours on the Promenade, and Good Guard Security Inc. assigned 6 guards and a supervisor within 24 hours’ notice. Security guard supervisors participate in Homeless Liaison Program bi-weekly meetings, monthly parking structure walk throughs, and other meetings regarding maintenance, homeless outreach, and crime trends in the downtown area. The online reporting provided by the company has assisted with collaborative efforts across multiple departments and greatly contributed to improving the downtown cleanliness and public safety. Good Guard uses the “SilverTrac” guard monitoring system which provides GPS-based tracking capabilities. With this technology, designated City staff can access the “SilverTrac” system and look up the current location of guards as well as download GPS-based activity reports, showing the location of guards throughout their shifts.
Environmental Review
The contract for security services at the City’s parking facilities is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 provides Class 1 (existing facilities) exemption for projects that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, licensing, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. The contract would continue existing security services at the parking facilities and would not result in any modifications to existing facilities.
Therefore, the contract is categorically exempt as set forth in Section 15301 of the CEQA State Guidelines.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve funding from the General Fund resulting from resources generated by Measure CS to increase the amount of the contract with Good Guard Security, Inc. for overnight security services in parking facilities and adjacent areas.
Funds are included in the FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget. 4 of 4
Contract Modification Request
Agreement #
Current Authorized
Amount Future Years Dept Account # Total Revised Contract Amount 4982 $200,000 $800,000 01180002.550010 $1,000,000
$1,400,000
01180002.550010 -
Measure CS Funding $1,400,000
Total $2,400,000
Future year funding contingent on Council approval.
Prepared By: Robert D'andrea, Police Lieutenant
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. CT# 4982 (Original Agreement)
B. Oaks Initiative Form - GoodGuard