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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of a One-Year Agreement with USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management for Pool Staffing Services in the Amount of $671,940; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Approve Amendments to Such Agreement up to an Additional Amount Not-to-Exceed $67,194 (10% of the Base Agreement Amount).
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Meeting Date: May 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Ted Stevens/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/222/2025)
Department Approval: Ted Stevens, PRCS Director (05/06/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a one-year agreement with USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management for pool staffing services in the amount of $671,940; and (2) authorize the City Manager to approve amendments to such agreement up to an additional amount not-to-exceed $67,194 (10% of the base agreement amount).
BACKGROUND
Over the course of the last few years, there has been a nationwide shortage of lifeguards, causing many public pools in the USA to change their hours or to close entirely. This shortage has been felt at the Culver City Plunge, and staff addressed the shortage throughout 2024 and early 2025 by limiting permit groups and shortening the hours that the pool was open. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department has identified several factors that have led to the shortage of staffing at the Plunge. These include staff retention rates and recruitment challenges such as benefits, qualifications and applicant struggles.
Staff Retention Rates
The position of lifeguard is designed to be an entry level position that is intended as a first job for many applicants. Recruitment has traditionally focused on high school students and college students who have their summers free to work or are looking for after school jobs. Many lifeguards work two or three summers before moving on to a career driven job. In the past, as one lifeguard moved on, new employees would come out of feeder programs, such as Culver City’s Learn-to-Swim programs or the Culver City High School’s swim team. However, during the pandemic, those programs were closed, and they have not been brought back to their pre-pandemic levels due to lack of staffing. With no one in the wings ready to fill vacancies, the Plunge has been left with openings as lifeguards leave.
Staff Hiring Benefits
There currently is a strong competitive field with all cities attempting to attract new lifeguards. Some things that other cities currently offer new lifeguards, that Culver City does not, include:
• Higher hourly wage
• Costs covered for trainings and certifications
• Stronger feeder programs
• Full-time lifeguard positions with benefits
With many cities offering more positions with more advantages for lifeguards, the recruitment for open positions in Culver City has been difficult.
Qualifications and Applicant Struggles
In order to become a lifeguard, there are more qualifications needed than many beginner level jobs. Over the past year, PRCS has held recruitments for the position that brought in a low level of applicants. Due to the timeline of hiring for a municipality, many applicants have found jobs elsewhere before the City has been able to contact them. For the few that do come in for the first interview, many have been unable to pass the swim test or receive the necessary certifications to be a lifeguard.
As summer approaches, PRCS is left in a precarious position attempting to keep the Plunge operating with the summer programming looming. In order to regain its staffing levels, PRCS is seeking to work with an outside organization to oversee all aquatic staffing at the Plunge.
DISCUSSION
PRCS hopes to onboard USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management as quickly as possible in order to prevent any interruption to the summer programming at the Plunge. After the first year, if PRCS wishes to continue working with an outside organization, the department will complete an RFP process to obtain a long-term company.
In accordance with Culver City Municipal Code section 3.07.065, staff solicited proposals for aquatic management companies. The department received four proposals. Swan Aquatics and USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management, provided stronger proposals that included financial figures and details. Pool Management, Inc. and Aquatic Management Services provided proposals that gave an overview of what they offered and listed general costs per lifeguard. The figures below for Pool Management, Inc. and Aquatic Management Services are estimates made by PRCS staff based on the information they provided in their proposals and questions they answered via phone.
As the top two candidates with the most detailed proposals, PRCS staff interviewed both Swan Aquatics and USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management. After the interviews, PRCS staff decided to recommend to City Council USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management as their top choice based on the following factors:
• Their desire to work in strong partnership with City staff when it comes to permits, programming, and activities at the Plunge.
• Their dedicated staff to focus on recruitment and onboarding of lifeguards.
• Their connections not only to high school and college students but also to military communities for recruitment.
As seen in their proposal (Attachment 1), USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management would oversee all recruitment and hiring of lifeguards. As part of the onboarding process, USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management would be in charge of making sure all lifeguards obtain and maintain their required certifications and would implement monthly trainings for staff to make sure that all lifeguards meet expectations. They also would oversee lifesaving supervision programs, swim lessons, and coaching Culver City’s higher level swim programs at the Plunge.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 include sufficient funding in the Pool and Aquatics Program (Account No. 10130220) to cover the costs of the proposed contracted services. If approved, the, staff would transfer funds within the budget for the Pool and Aquatics Program from part-time salaries and other expense accounts to Aquatics Division - Other Contractual Services (Account No. 10130220.619800) to cover the cost of the agreement.
Funding for Pool and Aquatics Program - regular salaries (Account No. 10130220.411100) and $50,000 from Other Contractual Services (10130220.619800) allocated for AquaFit classes would not be impacted.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-05-27 - ATT 1 USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management Proposal
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve a one-year agreement with USA Pools of California a Division of USA Management for pool staffing services in the amount of $671,940; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager approve amendments to such agreement up to an additional amount not-to-exceed $67,194 (10% of the base agreement amount); and,
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.