City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 10, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.K
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jenny Rogers, Recreation and Arts Director, Recreation and Arts Department Subject: Approval of Emergency Extension of Security Services Contract at Annenberg Community Beach House
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. Ratify the Procurement Manager’s approval of the emergency extension of Agreement #11120 (CCS) with AG Coast Inc. dba California Panther Security to continue 24/7 unarmed security guard service at the Annenberg Community Beach House for the Recreation and Arts Department. This emergency purchase was made as an exception to the competitive bidding process per SMMC
2.24.250(i), and is for a total amount not to exceed $215,000 through September 30, 2026.
Summary
The Annenberg Community Beach House (“Beach House”) has contracted with a security vendor since opening its doors in April 2009. Governing documents for the Beach House site, including the Statement of Official Action and Annenberg Community Beach House Operations Plan, require the City of Santa Monica (City) to provide on-site, unarmed security personnel, year-round.
On December 23, 2020, the City and AG Coast Inc. dba California Panther Security (“Panther”) entered into Agreement #11120 (CCS) (Attachment A) for security guard service at the Beach House through January 14, 2026. Unforeseen delays with the 2 of 5
competitive bidding process for the next security service contract necessitated the extension of Panther Security’s contract. On January 15, 2026, the City and Panther entered into the First Modification to Agreement #11120 (CCS) (Attachment B), to prevent a lapse in crucial security coverage while a new solicitation is issued.
The emergency extension of Agreement #11120 (CCS) was approved as an exception to the competitive bidding process (ECB# 341) per SMMC 2.24.250(i) pursuant to SMMC
2.24.240(d)(3).
Discussion
The Beach House sits on a five-acre parcel of Santa Monica State Beach, developed by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies in the 1920s. Originally known as the Marion Davies Estate, it became an oceanfront luxury hotel, then a private beach club. In partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and California State Parks, the City opened the site as a public beach facility known as the Annenberg Community Beach House on April 25, 2009. The Beach House is a unique community destination and is open to all. The site combines elements of the historic Marion Davies Estate with beach and cultural amenities and demonstrates the City’s commitment to community-responsive programming, quality visitor services, and a high level of maintenance and security.
In the interest of public safety and site protection, security guard service at the Beach House is mandatory and guided by requirements specified in the Statement of Official Action (Attachment C) approved by City Council on May 25, 2006, and the Annenberg Community Beach House Operations Plan (Attachment D). In accordance with these governing documents, the City is required to have security personnel on site to monitor the site year-round, even during holidays when the site is closed to the public.
Security personnel at the Beach House are responsible for ensuring the safety of employees and visitors, and ensuring facilities and infrastructure remain secure and 3 of 5
protected from trespassing, vandalism, illegal and inappropriate behavior, and suspicious activities. Additional security duties include:
• Providing regular roaming patrols day and night, including checking in at electronic stations throughout the site.
• Securing vehicle entrances to the Beach House parking lots and external doors. • Staffing property when City staff may not be present, such as nights and holidays, to monitor access; maintaining a high visibility presence; and taking appropriate measures to prevent trespassing, damage, or theft of Beach House property. • Assisting City personnel, including fire and police, as necessary by providing perimeter access control and traffic direction or by acting as site liaison. • Enforcing rules and providing support to Beach House staff when hired for permitted private events that may involve alcohol, be youth-focused, or are attended by high-visibility individuals.
• Observing and reporting suspicious activity.
Bid #4399 for unarmed security service at the Beach House was awarded to AG Coast Inc. dba California Panther Security (“Panther”) on December 23, 2020. The City and Panther entered into Agreement #11120 (“Original Agreement”) through January 14, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $1,029,268. Panther provides year-round security coverage, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Unforeseen delays with the scope development for the competitive bidding process for the next security service contract necessitated the emergency extension of Panther Security’s contract with the City. On January 15, 2026, the City and Panther entered into the First Modification to Agreement #11120 (CCS) (“First Modification”), to extend the length of the contract, increase funds for service, and prevent a lapse in crucial security coverage while a new solicitation is issued.
Contract Extension
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The contract extension pricing is summarized below.
January 15 – March 31, 2026
Month Average Monthly Rate*
January $ 15,000.00
February $ 25,000.00
March $ 25,000.00
Total $ 65,000.00
Month-to-Month Options
As needed through September 30, 2026
Month Average Monthly Rate* Cumulative Month-to-Month Spend April $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00
May $ 25,000.00 $ 50,000.00
June $ 25,000.00 $ 75,000.00
July $ 25,000.00 $ 100,000.00
August $ 25,000.00 $ 125,000.00
September $ 25,000.00 $ 150,000.00
*All monthly rates shown are averages. Actual monthly rates will vary slightly based on the number of calendar days and holidays in each month. Rates are based on the 24-hour presence of one security guard per shift with no overlap.
Environmental Review
The contract modification is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) 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 modification will provide the City with continued security coverage at the Beach House. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed modification would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The emergency extension of the agreement with AG Coast Inc. dba California Panther Security to continue 24/7 unarmed security guard service at the Annenberg Community 5 of 5
Beach House is funded from the current budget in the Beach Recreation Fund Contract Modification Request
Agreement #
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2025-26
Modified
Request
Amount
FY 2026-27
Amount Account #
Total
Revised
Contract
Amount
11120 $1,029,268 $54,000 $75,000 11430001.550010 $1,158,268 -- 86,000 -- 11430003.550010 86,000
TOTAL $1,029,268 $140,000 $75,000 $ 1,244,268
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Angela VonSlomski, Administrative Services Officer Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Agreement 11120 (CCS) 12.23.20
B. 01 CSA_11120_First_Modification EXECUTED
C. STOA 05.25.06
D. ACBH Operations Plan
E. OAKS INITIATIVE FORM 12.15.25
F. Procurement Mgr Approval- Emergency
G. LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURE