City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 11, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.G
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jenny Rogers, Recreation and Arts Director, Recreation and Arts Department Matthew Hallock, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Subject: Approval to Increase Contract Authority for the Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for Lifeguard Services on Santa Monica State Beach 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. Increase the contract authority for Agreement #9045 (CCS) in the amount of $8,862,703 with the County of Los Angeles for lifeguard services on Santa Monica State Beach, for a new total amount not to exceed $56,358,297, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City contracts with the County of Los Angeles to provide year-round beach lifeguard services on Santa Monica State Beach. The current agreement began on April 21, 2009 and was extended twice through April 20, 2025. Since then, the County has continued providing services on a month-to-month basis under the same terms and conditions while both parties negotiate a new long-term agreement.
To ensure uninterrupted lifeguard coverage, staff seeks Council approval to increase contract authority for Agreement #9045 (CCS) in the amount of $8,862,703, to cover anticipated costs through the end of FY 2026-27. Of note, this request is not seeking an additional budgetary allocation, as funding for these services is already included in the budget. Rather, this item seeks contracting authority to continue paying LA County for existing lifeguarding services being rendered.
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Discussion
The City has contracted with Los Angeles County to provide lifeguard services at Santa Monica State Beach since 1974. The services currently provided under the Community Recreation Agreement For Lifeguard Services #9045 (CCS) (Agreement) include the following:
• Lifeguard coverage for the entire beach, seven days a week, year-round • 24-hour a day emergency response for regional emergencies • 24-hour a day paramedic support to the community
County staff assigned to Santa Monica State Beach include two captains, 19 ocean lifeguards, and ocean lifeguard specialists. The County also provides specialized equipment in support of these services, including emergency response vehicles, a rescue boat, and a helicopter. County personnel are often the first responders to emergencies on the beach, in the water, and near the pier.
City Council initially approved the current agreement for a 10-year term on March 24, 2009. The agreement was executed on April 21, 2009, and then subsequently Council approved a First Amendment on February 26, 2019, providing for a 5-year extension, resulting in a 15 year term. A Second Amendment was approved on April 9, 2004, extending the term for an additional year (16 years total) through April 20, 2025. Upon expiration of the Agreement term, the Agreement continues on a month-to-month basis until a new agreement is in place should both parties mutually agree in writing to negotiate an agreement for continued services. Therefore, staff seeks increased contract authority to pay for services already rendered in the amount of $3,505,764, as well as to cover anticipated costs through the end of FY 2026-27, estimated to be $5,356,939. This will ensure continuity of services until a new agreement is executed.
The increased amount of $8,862,703 would result in a revised not to exceed contract amount of $56,358,297 for lifeguard services provided by Los Angeles Council since inception of the Agreement in 2009.
Environmental Review
The lifeguard services agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA 3 of 4
Guidelines. The 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.” Increasing the purchasing authority would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
March 24, 2009
(attachment A)
Original Lifeguard Services Agreement with Los Angeles
County for Lifeguard Services on Santa Monica State Beach February 26, 2019
(attachment B)
First Amendment of Lifeguard Services Agreement with Los Angeles County
April 9, 2024
(attachment C)
Second Amendment of Lifeguard Services Agreement with
Los Angeles County
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Beach Fund to increase the contract authority for Agreement #9045 (CCS) with the County of Los Angeles for beach lifeguard services. Funds for these services have been included in the budget.
Contract/Agreement Request
Agreement #
Current
Authorized
Amount
Modified
Request Amount Account Number Total Contract Amount
9045 (CCS) $47,495,594 $8,862,703 11430002.552010 $56,358,297 Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Angela VonSlomski, Administrative Services Officer Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. March 24, 2009 Staff Report and Contract
B. February 26, 2019 Staff Report - First Amendment (Web Link) C. April 9, 2024 Staff Report - Second Amendment