City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 25, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward F King, Director, Department of Transportation, Transit Operations Subject: Approval of First Modification to Agreement with Becnel Uniforms for Motor Coach Operators Uniforms
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #10734 in an amount not to exceed $95,000 with Becnel Uniforms for the provision of Motor Coach Operators (MCOs) uniforms for the Department of Transportation. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $776,000, with the original five-year term of the agreement remaining unchanged.
Summary
At the August 23rd, 2022 meeting, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and SMART-TD, the bargaining unit that represents the Department of Transportation’s Motor Coach Operators (MCOs). This agreement directs the City to provide uniform supplies and related services to each MCO currently employed through a voucher system with Becnel Uniforms. Due to rising inflation costs in this sector, contract purchasing authority will be exhausted before the end of the contract term. To provide sufficient funding for MCOs to utilize their vouchers, staff recommends modifying the existing five-year agreement with Becnel Uniforms to increase the total amount by $95,000 for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $776,000. 2 of 3
Discussion
In order to ensure the Department of Transportation’s MCOs dress uniformly to present a professional image to the public it serves, the City and the MCOs’ bargaining unit SMART-TD agreed to a voucher system for new uniforms and uniform related services.
This annual voucher must be used to purchase uniform supplies including but not limited to shirts, pants, sweaters, shoes, jackets, and belts. These vendors generally provide alteration services at the time of the initial purchase, as well as embroidery and installation of City patches and emblems reflecting safe driving awards. Using this voucher system provides MCOs the discretion in the type and quantity of items purchased based on their own individual requirements and uniform needs.
Consistent with inflation across many sectors, the City’s uniform providers have had to increase prices due to rising material costs. This increase resulted in the contract authority being exhausted prior to the end of the contract term. This contract modification will provide an additional $95,000 to cover the voucher liability through the end of the contract term. City staff is currently conducting a competitive procurement for this service and will have a new agreement in place prior to contract #10734 expiration term of September 2023.
Environmental Review
The award agreement is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The award agreement is covered by the commonsense exemption which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The agreement will provide the City with MCO uniforms and related services. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed agreement would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is categorically exempt from CEQA.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
08/14/2018 Award Contract to Provide Motor Coach Operators Uniforms 3 of 3
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Big Blue Bus Fund to increase the amount of its contract #10734 with Becnel Uniforms for MCO uniforms and related services. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Contract Modification Request
Agreement #
Current Authorized
Amount
FY 2023-24
Modified Request
Amount
Dept # Total Revised
Contract Amount
10734 $681,000 $95,000 60600013.523380 $776,000
Prepared By: Peter Seller, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Oaks Initiative Notice Becnel 052223
B. #10734 MCO Uniforms Becnel
C. City Council Meeting 8/14/2018 Agenda Item 3.I (Weblink)