Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve Amendment #1 to Contract # 20240157 for Full Time Armed Security for MIDFLORIDA Event Center.
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Submitted By: India Barr, Procurement Contracting Officer, Procurement Management Division (PMD).
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of safe, clean, and beautiful.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: India Barr, Procurement Contracting Officer I (PMD).
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and All Florida Security Services Inc. fka AFBB Inc. Investigations & Security Services dba All Florida Security Services.
3. Purpose: To add additional funding to the existing contract for expanded hours of security services at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center (MFEC).
4. New/Renewal/Modified: Modification.
5. Duration: Contract is set to expire on October 23, 2025.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: Having this service in place has proved to be an overwhelming success in that overall incidents where Police Department (PD) needs to be involved are down by 90%.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The original Contract price was $99,000. This Amendment will add an additional $55,000 per year, bringing the annual expenditure total of the Contract to $155,000.00.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council waive the bidding, per City Code of Ordinances, Section 35.08(c), for good cause shown, and approve Amendment #1 to Contract #20240157 for Full Time Armed Security at MIDFLORIDA Event Center.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve Amendment #1 to Contract #20240157.
2. Move that the Council not approve Amendment #1 to Contract #20240157 and provide staff with direction.
Background: This effort will continue to address a variety of incidents and manage the outcomes with both the incumbent and PD. Incidents include but not limited to:
• Managing homeless people (some have demonstrated to be high/drunk and aggressive) who frequent our Lobby and other areas of the Event/City Center property.
• Habitual trespassers throughout the entire facility, both interior and exterior areas.
• Routine vandalism to the outside stage and restrooms. In one case a fire was intentionally set in the outside women's restroom requiring a response from St. Lucie County Fire District.
• Exclusive to the MFEC Parking Garage: the use and transfer of illegal drugs; inappropriate sexual activity in cars and stairwells; highly aggressive behavior with gangs of teen bike riders and/or skateboarders who were often displaying threatening behavior to City residents using the garage for parking or exercise; drag racing throughout the upper levels; vandalizing lights/fire extinguishers and excessive amounts of litter strewn throughout the parking facility.
• Managing multiple altercations within the Parks & Recreation Department side of the building.
• Enforcement of handicapped parking spaces.
• The original and current Security Contract was initially sought after, approved, and
put into place by MFEC staff in the fall of 2022 (with the support and approval of P&R). However, it was done so more tailored and conducive to the normal operating hours of “the building in general.” The present hours of Security coverage are Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturdays (for P&R) 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. The funding we are requesting will provide additional coverage through the P&R evening hours of 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and on Sunday 9 am-6 pm.
Issues/Analysis: Staff is requesting that Council waive formal bidding as this Contract is in the middle of its term, however, with the additional fund requested, brings the Contract total above the threshold requiring Council approval. For the reasons stated above, staff recommends expanding the hours for the service now, rather than waiting until the end of the Contract. Additionally, five Security firms were contacted (which also included the incumbent) to reassess the pricing with new quotes. A detailed statement of work (included with this submittal) outlining the exact duties/processes, schedule, and equipment, along with the necessary licenses/screening and insurance requirements that would be required. The goal remains to pull from "Local" companies native to the City for prime consideration, not only for proximity to the property but also familiarity with the immediate area and the neighborhoods and businesses that border the City Center (as these areas feed into the ongoing problem at MFEC). These local companies also have a track record of taking on retired/former City PD officers which also brings familiarity to the immediate area and the threats/exposure that come with this heavily trafficked facility. Lastly, hiring locally also works towards the City's desire to support businesses located in the Port St. Lucie.
Financial Information: Funds are appropriated in the adopted budget for Mid Florida Event Center account # 001-7500-534000.
Special Consideration: N/A.
Location of Project: Mid Florida Event Center.
Attachments:
1. Signed Amendment #1.
2. Original Contract.
3. Additional Funding Request.
4. Vendor Proposal.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25010-03.
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Alyssa Lunin, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.