To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jon Niehaus 707-521-1845
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Security Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Universal Protection Service, LP dba Allied Universal Security, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for security services through December 31, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $540,000.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) maintains 65 miles of flood control channels and conducts stream maintenance activities to maintain floodwater conveyance capacity and comply with permits. One of the challenges in conducting this work is encountering encampments of people who may be homeless set up illegally on Sonoma Water property. Encampments adjacent to creeks, flood control channels, and water supply facilities present a significant water quality and public safety concern. Under this agreement, Universal Protection Service, LP dba Allied Universal Security (Service Provider) will patrol Sonoma Water properties to conduct respectful outreach to homeless campers regarding available resources and applicable laws and make location recommendations for Sonoma Water’s crews to conduct trash clean-up work.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water owns, operates, and maintains 65 miles of flood control channels and conducts stream maintenance activities to maintain floodwater conveyance capacity. One of the challenges Sonoma Water faces while conducting this work is encountering encampments of people who may be homeless set up illegally on Sonoma Water property. Encampments adjacent to creeks, flood control channels, and water supply facilities present a significant water quality and public safety concern.
As part of its stream maintenance activities, Sonoma Water is also responsible for trash abatement under its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, MS4, Permit, and the Sonoma Water Stream Maintenance Program permit. Monitoring the creeks and channels for areas requiring trash clean-up by Sonoma Water crews is ongoing.
Specialized security issues such as these are not covered by Sonoma Water crews, so professional security services have been utilized to meet this need. Service Provider will conduct respectful outreach to people who may be homeless and are camping on Sonoma Water property. Service Provider will communicate to them that camping is prohibited, encourage them to leave, clean up their trash, and not continue to camp on Sonoma Water property. For noncompliant individuals or when in threatening situations, Service Provider will contact the law enforcement department having local jurisdiction. Service Provider will also communicate with non-governmental agencies that work with homeless populations (i.e. Catholic Charities) to determine compatibility for their programs.
SELECTION PROCESS
Service Provider was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Service Provider was selected for the subject work because Service Provider possesses the qualifications and site-specific training to do the work and has been successfully handling this complex and sensitive situation for many years. Sonoma Water previously contracted with Service Provider under a County of Sonoma Blanket Purchase Order (BPO). Service Provider is no longer included in the BPO list, so Sonoma Water conducted a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFQ) to create a list of qualified firms. Service Provider responded to the RFQ and was added to the list.
Sonoma Water may seek to amend or enter into subsequent agreement(s) with Board approval if required, relying upon this competitive selection process, after the preliminary or initial work is completed for the Project.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the agreement, Service Provider will patrol Sonoma Water properties, including off-road locations, to conduct outreach to campers regarding illegal camping, available resources for those who may be homeless, make location recommendations for Sonoma Water crews to perform trash clean-up work, and provide daily reports.
The cost of services will not exceed $540,000; the term end date is December 31, 2027.
The agreement includes authorization for the General Manager to make changes to lengthen time schedules or make minor modifications to the scope of work, which do not increase the amount paid under the agreement, in a form approved by County Counsel.
Under the agreement, the General Manager shall have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension shall be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by the parties.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy: Protect, enhance, and monitor natural resources, watershed conditions, and ecosystem health that are vital to the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds.
Action: Support collaborative efforts to improve habitat and pursue restoration opportunities that provide integrated regional benefit.
Including outreach to illegal encampments adjacent to creeks, flood control channels, and water supply facilities supports protection of natural resources and water quality.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$171,000 |
$180,000 |
$189,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$171,000 |
$180,000 |
$189,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$171,000 |
$180,000 |
$189,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$171,000 |
$180,000 |
$189,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $171,000 is available from FY 2024/2025 appropriations: $128,000 for the Flood Control Zone 1A fund, and $43,000 for the Flood Control Zone 2A fund. FY 2025/2026 and FY 2026/2027 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Agreement with Universal Protection Service, LP dba Allied Universal Security Services
Attachment 2: Service Provider Competitive Selection Process Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.