TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:June 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Library Aquarium Maintenance
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a General Services Agreement with Brian Hoover dba Aquatic Contractors (Thousand Oaks, CA), for supplies and maintenance of the 3,600- gallon saltwater aquarium at the Grant R. Brimhall Library, in a not-to-exceed amount of $158,260, for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
2. Authorize expenditure in FY 2026-27 in the amount of $52,752 as follows:
$37,752 from A/C# 110-7310-673-5699 (Library Fund - Contracted Services) and $15,000 from A/C#110-7310-673-4199 (Library Fund - Equipment Repairs and Maintenance).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Aquarium maintenance costs are included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Library Fund Budget. Budget for the remaining contract term will be requested during the upcoming biennial budget process.
BACKGROUND:
The 3,600-gallon saltwater aquarium at the Grant R. Brimhall Library (Library) was donated to the community by the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library and was installed as part of the Children's Library expansion that opened on June 24, 2006.
Due to the size and operational requirements of a saltwater aquarium, ongoing professional maintenance to support the health of the fish and marine environment
Library Aquarium Maintenance
June 9, 2026
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is required. Maintenance services include water testing, pump and filter maintenance, water recycling, chemical balancing, gravel stirring, quarantine service, diagnostics, and general tank and reef cleaning.
The aquarium serves as a popular feature within the Library and supports educational and community engagement opportunities for patrons of all ages.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In accordance with Government Code section 4526 and the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code section 3-10.401, staff solicited a formal Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for the Library Aquarium Maintenance on May 1, 2026, which was publicly advertised in the Thousand Oaks Acorn newspaper and on the City’s procurement website. Unlike the low bid requirements of the Public Contract Code, contracts for professional, management, general, or special services should only be awarded to firms or persons who have demonstrated an adequate level of experience, competence, training, credentials, resources, staffing, and other professional qualifications necessary for more than a satisfactory performance of the services solicited.
Aquatic Contractors was the only company to submit a proposal. The RFP/Q was emailed to 2,574 users, received 265 views, and had 15 downloads. The RFP/Q closed on May 22, 2026. Based on staff’s review of the firm’s qualifications, experience, reasonableness of cost, and ability to provide the specialized services required for maintenance of the Library’s saltwater aquarium, staff determined Aquatic Contractors to be qualified to provide the requested services. Aquatic Contractors is a Thousand Oaks-based business specializing in commercial and residential aquarium maintenance services and currently provides these services for the Library. Staff has found Aquatic Contractors' service for the Library satisfactory and recommends approval of the agreement for continued aquarium maintenance services (Attachment #1).
The aquarium is a popular focal point in the Library and is regularly visited by Library patrons of all ages. Exposure to this saltwater world and its marine life creates interest in and awareness of the undersea environment. A digital display describing each fish and its habitat is mounted near the aquarium for the entertainment and education of Library patrons. As part of the proposed services, Aquatic Contractors will continue providing educational presentations to children and families to complement Library programs. Informational presentations on saltwater aquariums, tropical marine life, and water conservation further enhance the aquarium's educational value to our community and fulfill the Library’s mission to inspire, inform, and engage the community.
Library Aquarium Maintenance
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LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
H. Participate in public-private and multi-jurisdictional opportunities to ensure residents have access to high levels of parks, recreation, education and leisure programs and services.
PREPARED BY: Lisa Frattali, Senior Administrative Specialist Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Agreement - Library Aquarium Maintenance 2026 CCS:950-70\LF\H;\COMMMON\Administration\Contracts\AquariumMaintenance2026