City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: November 4, 2025
From: Freddie Agyin, Director of Health and Environmental Control Department: Health and Environmental Control
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
Services Agreement with Ocean Blue Environmental Services Inc. for On-Call Environmental Clean-Up Services
Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, because the action is being carried out by a regulatory agency to maintain, restore, or enhance the environment, where the regulatory process includes procedures to protect the environment; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc. in substantially the same form as submitted, for on-call environmental clean-up services for an amount not-to-exceed $500,000, for a three (3) year term.
Background
The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is responsible for investigating and responding to both emergency and non-emergency pollution incidents, which include discharges, accidental spills or releases, as well as abandoned/dumped materials within the City’s jurisdiction. Due to the potential hazards these occurrences pose to public health and/or the environment, the DHEC staff must respond accordingly on a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year basis whenever there is an impact or threatened impact to areas within the City’s jurisdiction.
Pollution incidents require the responsible business/entity to provide necessary clean-up services, which the DHEC oversees. When a responsible party is unable to secure the services of an environmental cleanup company in a timely manner, the DHEC contracts a vendor to carry out the necessary emergency work and pursues cost recovery from the responsible party involved. Due to the critical nature of such incidents, a third-party team that is certified to perform specialized clean-ups is often required.
Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.080, on August 25, 2025, the DHEC publicized the Request for Proposals (RFP) for On-Call Environmental Clean-Up Services, as the cost for the service over three years was anticipated to exceed $500,000. The DHEC received five (5) proposals from qualified firms, which were rated on their experience, overall cost, feedback from references, and responsiveness to the RFP. After thorough consideration, Ocean Blue Environmental Services Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm based upon the collective rating calculated by Department staff. Therefore, the DHEC recommends that Council award the contract to Ocean Blue Environmental Services Inc. for on-call environmental cleanup services for a three (3) year term. Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030, all contracts shall be approved by Council if the total value over the lifetime of the contract exceeds $100,000.
The proposed agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office. Proprietary and/or confidential information has been redacted and will be provided to City Council under separate cover.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $500,000 for a three (3) year period. Sufficient funds for oncall environmental clean-up services are available in the Health Department Technical Professional Services Account No. 011-020-200-529225 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 and will be budgeted in subsequent fiscal years.
Attachments
1. Services Agreement with Ocean Blue Environmental Services Inc.