Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Citiguard, Inc. for Security Services at Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Lots in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $581,226; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Increasing Appropriations in the Amount of $13,000 for Security Services at Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities). (Public Works 28741530)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) is planning to launch paid parking simultaneously with increased on-site security services at the Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon Ferry parking lots, with parking revenues helping offset the security cost.
Parking management and pricing is an effective tool for reducing congestion, supporting transit, and supporting active forms of transportation such as walking and bicycling. The City is beginning paid parking at ferry terminals to help ensure available parking for ferry riders who need to drive, and to meet City goals related to mode shift and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The City’s Strategic Plan project number TIE17 to “Implement paid parking at ferry terminals” is in alignment with multiple City plans.
Initially, paid parking will be implemented Tuesday through Thursday at Harbor Bay Ferry lot and later, Seaplane Lagoon Ferry lot. Parking occupancy data shows these lots are full or nearly full on those days. Projected revenue from paid parking, once implemented Monday through Friday, will support the cost to provide security services at the ferry terminal lots. Until that time, the Transportation Improvement Fund, is a source of revenue to support security at Harbor Bay.
Following a competitive solicitation, staff recommends City Council approve a five-year agreement with Citiguard, Inc. for a not-to-exceed total compensation of $581,226. Staff also recommend City Council adopt the proposed resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to increase the expenditure budget from available fund balance in the Transportation Improvement Fund.
BACKGROUND
The City is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the landside assets at the City’s three Ferry Terminals. The City’s goal is to maintain those lots in a secure and safe condition for SF Bay Ferry passengers and their property.
City Council adopted the 2023-2026 City of Alameda Strategic Plan, which includes implementing paid parking at ferry terminals (TIE17). On October 1, 2024, City Council received an update on the Pricing Strategy for Ferry Terminal Parking (Exhibit 1). Ferry ridership has increased significantly since the pandemic. Based on five midweek parking occupancy counts taken by SF Bay Ferry in October 2024, the Harbor Bay lot averaged 98% full and Seaplane Lagoon 93% full. More recently, City staff observed days where Seaplane Lagoon lot is completely full with many vehicles illegally parked on wood chips.
On October 1, 2024, City Council approved procurement of pay stations for the Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon Ferry terminals and approved a mobile payment solution. To assist in the management of paid parking and to mitigate potential impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, a third part time parking enforcement technician was hired. In addition, staff is working with a consultant to develop a detailed methodology for calculating the parking occupancy rates that will be used to make rate decisions in the future.
Staff have been coordinating closely with SF Bay Ferry on an implementation and communications plan for the roll out of paid parking at Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon. Main Street will not have paid parking as the parking occupancy remains low. At the request of SF Bay Ferry, the paid parking implementation will be staggered with the Harbor Bay lot starting in late May and the Seaplane Lagoon lot starting later in the summer of 2025. The communication plan will be implemented weeks in advance of launching paid parking. The plan includes, but is not limited to, flyers on vehicles, pay stations with launch date on display screen, on-board ferry flyers and audio announcements, direct ferry rider subscriber communications, and broader public notices like press releases and social media posts.
DISCUSSION
To maintain the ferry terminal lots in a secure and safe condition for SF Bay Ferry passengers and their property, security services will be provided. The ongoing provision of this service will be revisited annually based on revenues and other budget considerations.
On February 6, 2025, the Public Works Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Security Services at the Ferry Terminal lots. The scope of service includes starting security services at Harbor Bay on April 16, 2025 and coincident with launching paid parking at Seaplane Lagoon, starting security services July 1, 2025. The security personnel at Seaplane Lagoon will also provide security service at the Main Street ferry terminal lot, which will not have paid parking due to parking occupancy being low.
To solicit the maximum number of proposals and most competitive prices, the RFP was published on the City’s website and the Bay Area News Group, as well as thirteen (13) separate builders’ exchanges throughout the Bay Area. After a bidding period of twenty-one (21) days, the City received twelve (12) responsive bids.
Pricing proposals were inconsistent and based on different interpretations of the scope. Therefore, they are not included in the table below.
|
Proposer |
Location |
|
Defense Block Security |
Windsor, CA |
|
First Shield Security and Patrol |
San Jose, CA |
|
Citiguard, Inc. |
Oakland, CA |
|
A1 Protective Services, Inc. |
San Francisco, CA |
|
Peralta Associates and Defense |
Newark, CA |
|
Access Control Security |
Chatsworth, CA |
|
Protection Corps |
Hayward, CA |
|
National Protective Service |
Pinole, CA |
|
California LLC Security |
Alameda, CA |
|
American Global Security |
Sacramento, CA |
|
Allied Universal |
Oakland, CA |
|
Security Services Northwest |
Sequim, WA |
Staff reviewed the proposals, consistent with the City’s Purchasing Policy Guidelines and the selection criteria set forth in the RFP. The RFP specifications informed the successful bidder that the contracted service is subject to prevailing wage requirements pursuant to State Law. Staff seeks City Council’s approval to award Citiguard Inc. a five-year agreement for security services at the City’s three Ferry Terminals. The proposed contract is attached as Exhibit 2.
ALTERNATIVES
• Award the agreement as recommended.
• Provide direction to modify the scope or authorized amount of the agreement.
• Do not award the agreement and provide different direction to staff. SF Bay Ferry is expecting security services to commence coincident with paid parking.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Paid parking revenue, enforcement revenue and the Transportation Improvement Fund will support costs related to security services. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Below are the contract annual amounts:
|
Fiscal Year |
Amount |
|
2024-25* |
$13,000 |
|
2025-26 |
$135,821 |
|
2026-27 |
$139,896 |
|
2027-28 |
$144,093 |
|
2028-29 |
$148,416 |
|
Total |
$581,226 |
*Prorated for April 21, 2025 through June 30, 2025 and services only at Harbor Bay.
The proposed budget resolution is for services for the remainder of this Fiscal Year at Harbor Bay. Subsequent yearly amounts will be supported by parking revenue and the Transportation Improvement Fund and will be proposed as part of the biennial budget.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Alameda Municipal Code (AMC)
AMC 12-4.5b establishes a range of acceptable hourly meter rates for public off-street lots between $0.00 and $5.00. It authorizes the Public Works Director to adjust parking meter rates within this approved range consistent with the goal of achieving an eighty-five (85%) percent occupancy target. It also requires publishing parking rate changes at least two weeks in advance. AMC 12-4.4b sets the same rules for on-street parking meter zones.
AMC Chapter 8 contains parking prohibitions and Chapter 12 covers public parking regulations and use of the parking fund. California Vehicle Code section 22500 et seq. regulates stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles.
The City Council adopted the 2023-2026 City of Alameda Strategic Plan, which includes the following project: Implement paid parking at ferry terminals (TIE17)
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities)
CLIMATE IMPACT
Parking management plays an important role in reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Paid parking programs can also influence mode choice. Free parking provides a powerful incentive to drive; when parking is priced right and enforced for compliance, people are more likely to consider other modes of travel.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Citiguard, Inc. for security services at Ferry Terminal Lots in an amount not-to-exceed $581,226 and adopt a resolution amending the fiscal year 2024-25 budget increasing appropriations by $13,000 for security services at Habor Bay Ferry Terminal.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Alameda Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy
2. Agreement