City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 23, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.I
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Code Enforcement
Subject: Approval of Fourth Modification to Contract with California Panther Security for Pier Related Security
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that 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 fourth modification to Agreement 11259 (CCS)[formerly #4865] in the amount of $327,969 with A.G.
Coast, Inc. d/b/a CA Panther, for security services on and around the Santa Monica Pier for the Community Development Department. This would result in a six-month amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $1,059,969, future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The Pier Task Force was created to address concerns over safety, public health, and the environment related to unpermitted vending. Based on the success of the Task Force, now known as DaRT (Directed Action Response Team), Council directed staff to continue the program through June 30, 2023. Contract security services provided by A.
G. Coast, Inc. (dba CA Panther) continue to be instrumental in assisting DaRT 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 December 31, 2023, while staff completes a Request for Proposal process. This would ensure that DaRT has the contract security services needed to continue to address unpermitted vending and its associated public safety, public health, and environmental risks.
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Discussion
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 was executed on January 25, 2022, to modify the scope of work including days and work hours. In February 2022, the City Council held a study session to discuss the issue of unpermitted vending on and around the Pier and to consider the future of the Pier Task Force (now known as DaRT). At that time, Council directed staff to extend security services at the Pier through June 30, 2023. The contract has since been amended three times to fund this extension and other technical modifications in services required to support DaRT.
On March 11, 2023, the Council held a workshop to select Council priorities and provide direction on the Fiscal Year 2023-25 budget. Council affirmed the Priority of Addressing Homelessness and Clean and Safe and allocations of Measure CS funds, including continuation of DaRT beyond June 30, 2023. Therefore, staff is preparing a Request for Proposal for security services on and around the Pier and will return to Council for approval of a new five-year Contractual Services Agreement effective January 1, 2024.
In order to prevent a disruption of services, staff recommends that Council authorize a fourth modification to Agreement 11259 with CA Panther to add one additional unarmed security officer working a twelve-hour shift and extend the contract through December 31, 2023, in the amount of $327,969 for a new total not to exceed $1,059.969.
Past Council Actions
4/9/2019 Comprehensive Sidewalk Vending Program and Emergency Ordinance
2/22/2022 Citywide Response to Sidewalk Vending Study Session 4/26/2022 Award Contract with CA Panther Security to Provide Security Services Related to Pier Vending
3/11/2023 Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on Fiscal year 2023-2025 Budget
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Environmental Review
This contract modification for additional security is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, 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 provision of additional security services on and around the Santa Monica Pier is an administrative program to ensure public safety in the City and would not result in physical effects.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the General Fund to increase the amount of the agreement with A. G. Coast, Inc. (dba CA Panther) for security services on and around the Santa Monica Pier. Future year funding is included in the FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget and contingent on Council budget approval.
Contract Modification Request: A.G. Coast, Inc
Agreement # Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2022-23
Request
Amount
Future
Years
Dept Account # Total Revised
Contract Amount
11259[formerly
4865]
$732,000 $56,392 $271,577 01700005.550010 $1,059,969
TOTAL $1,059,969
Prepared By: Cheryl Shavers, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Original Agreement #4865 CA Panther
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B. First Modification of Agreement No. 4865
C. Second Modification to Agreement #11259
D. Third Modification to Agreement #11259
E. Oaks Initiative
F. Comprehensive Sidewalk Vending Program and Emergency Ordinance (Web Link)
G. Citywide Response to Sidewalk Vending (Web Link)
H. Approval of Contract Modification CA Panther Security to Provide Security Services Related to Pier Vending (Web Link)
I. 2023 Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 Budget (Web Link)