title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of a One Year General Service Agreement with Throne Labs Inc., in an Amount Not To Exceed $135,558 for Deployment and Operation of Two Throne Units at Culver City Park.
body
Meeting Date: August 10, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson / Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/05/2026)
Department Approval: Tomás Herrera-Mishler, Director PRCS (07/20/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a professional service agreement with Throne Labs Inc., in an amount not to exceed $135,558 for deployment and operation of two Throne units at Culver City Park.
BACKGROUND
Throne Labs, Inc. is a technology company that designs, deploys, and operates modular, ADA-accessible public restroom facilities for municipalities, transit agencies, parks, and other public entities. Founded in 2020, the company provides a turnkey restroom solution that includes delivery, installation, routine cleaning and maintenance, remote monitoring, and customer support under a subscription-based service model. The units are self-contained and designed to be deployed without requiring permanent utility connections, allowing for relatively rapid installation in locations where conventional restroom construction may be cost-prohibitive or infeasible.
Throne facilities incorporate touchless fixtures, occupancy monitoring, environmental sensors, and remote diagnostics to assist with maintenance scheduling and operational oversight. According to the company, the technology is intended to improve restroom cleanliness, increase facility uptime, and provide public agencies with operational data to optimize service levels. Throne Labs’ system is designed to collect operational information related to restroom performance rather than personally identifiable user information.
Throne Labs has partnered with numerous public agencies across the United States, including local governments and transit operators. Within the Los Angeles region, the company has deployed restroom facilities through partnerships with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and several local jurisdictions as part of broader efforts to improve public restroom access.
On January 26, 2026, City Council received a presentation from Throne Labs regarding its public restroom program and operational model. During the presentation, the company described its restroom technology, maintenance approach, deployment experience, and performance metrics, including information related to a Throne restroom operating in Culver City through a partnership with Metro. Following discussion, the City Council reached consensus to agendize a discussion to explore development of a sole-source pilot agreement with Throne Labs for consideration at a future meeting.
DISCUSSION
Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) staff met with Throne Labs representatives to evaluate the feasibility of installing their public restroom facilities at Culver City Park. Based on site needs and anticipated park usage, Throne Labs submitted a proposal for the deployment of two restroom units under its Service Tier subscription.
The proposed agreement includes delivery and installation of two ADA-accessible restroom units, remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, all repairs, consumable supplies, and routine cleaning service averaging one to two cleanings per day based on usage. The proposal also includes menstrual hygiene product dispensers and sharps disposal containers in each restroom unit. The costs, excluding applicable taxes, are as follows:
• Throne Rental (2 units) - $96,000 annually
• Service (2 units) - $2,000 per unit per month (January - June)
• Menstrual Hygiene Products (2 units) - $1,200 annually
• Sharps Disposal Containers (2 units) - $1,200 annually
Installation of the two restroom units is anticipated to begin in January 2027.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Sufficient funding is available to support the proposed Professional Services Agreement through the Bill Botts Account 49980000.619800.PFA01. For Fiscal Year 2027-2028, staff intends to request an ongoing budget enhancement to the PRCS General Fund to support the remaining six months of operating costs (July through December) and to fund any future agreement renewals.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Approve a general service agreement with Throne Labs Inc., in an amount not to exceed $135,558 for deployment and operation of two Throne units at Culver City Park;
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.