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CC - ACTION ITEM: Discussion of (1) the Professional Services Agreement with Good Guard Security, Inc. for Security Services at City Council Meetings; and (2) Other Ways that the Funding for that Agreement Could Be Used.
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Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager
Adam Ferguson, Deputy Director, PRCS
Phone Number: City Manager’s Office - (310) 253-6000
PRCS - (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/19/2026)
Department Approval: Odis Jones, City Manager (02/19/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss the City’s existing professional services agreement for security at City Council meetings and other ways that the funding for that agreement could be used.
BACKGROUND
At the January 26, 2026 City Council meeting, Council Member McMorrin received consensus to agendize discussion on the agreement for additional security and a metal detector at city council meetings and other ways that the funding for that contract could be used.
To ensure public safety during City Council meetings, beginning August 12, 2024, all persons entering the Mike Balkman Council Chambers during a City Council meeting are required to pass through a security screening, including a metal detector and bag inspection. Firearms, knives, weapons, and signs larger than 18 x 24 inches are prohibited from City Council Chambers and no one with any of these items are permitted to enter.
DISCUSSION
The City has contracted for security services for many years. The scope and cost of these services has expanded over time in response to City needs. The City currently has an agreement with Good Guard Security Inc. to provide security services at City facilities.
In Spring 2024, the City put out a request for proposals for security guard services. On May 28, 2024, City Council approved a professional services agreement with Good Guard Security Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $1,830,000 for three years with two, one-year optional renewals. The scope of services was later updated and approved by City Council on March 10, 2025 to include additional services at City Council meetings and Fiesta La Ballona. The additional services include four guards to conduct bag check/initial screening, operate the City-provided metal detector, provide hand wand/secondary screening and monitor the City Council Chambers exit at City Council meetings and to provide additional security at Fiesta La Ballona. The agreement was amended to add this additional scope. The annual not-to-exceed amount for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $610,000.
Per the agreement, Good Guard provides unarmed security guard services at Culver City Hall and parking structure, the Kirk Douglas Theater, the Culver City Transportation Department, Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, including the Culver City Senior Center and Veterans Memorial Complex and Park, special events, and other facilities or events as requested. The performance criteria includes, but is not be limited to, providing unarmed security guard services to monitor the public access to the listed facilities, events, parking structures and related premises during hours specified by visiting all aisleways, floors, landings, stairwells, elevators, basements, enclosures, adjacent alleyways, and open restrooms on a regular patrol; perform inspection, detection, and investigation of all security related incidents, violations of regulations and matters of public safety at facilities, special events, and parking structures and report the same to appropriate authorities; prepare and submit written reports as directed; and respond promptly and appropriately to all security-related emergencies.
At this time, Council should discuss the current level of security services provided at City Council Meetings and provide direction to staff. To the extent that money can be saved by reducing services, the cost savings could help reduce the City’s projected General Fund operating deficit.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Good Guard’s agreement, as amended, is for three years with two (2) one-year optional renewals. The maximum compensation under the agreement for security at all City facilities and programs is $610,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and will increase to $630,000 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes $610,000 for these services in the following in Account Nos. 10130100.619800 (PRCS Administration - Other Contractual Services), 10130110.619800 (Veterans Memorial Complex - Other Contractual Services), 101130285.619800 (Fiesta La Ballona - Other Contractual Services) and 20370200.619800 (Transportation - Other Contractual Services).
Approximately $437,000 is paid for from the General Fund (Fund 101) and $173,000 is paid for from the Transportation Fund (Fund 203).
Below is a breakdown of the costs for security guard services in the current year:
City Hall and the Kirk Douglas Theater
Security guard services for City Hall and the Kirk Douglas Theater are estimated to cost $177,129 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
This includes daily monitoring at City Hall and its parking structure, monitoring during performances at the Kirk Douglas Theater and during City Council meetings. The City has an agreement in place with the Center Theater Group (CTG) whereby the City provides security guards for when the CTG is using the City Hall parking lot outside of normal business hours and the CTG reimburses the City for these services at a base rate of $22.00 per hour per guard. In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the City received $10,835 in reimbursement from CTG.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Facilities and Programs
Security guard services for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department facilities and programs cost approximately $259,871. This includes security services in the following areas:
• Daily monitoring at Veterans Memorial Building and Park and additional services for large scale rentals, which is estimated to be $147,963
• Daily monitoring during Senior Center hours, which is estimated to be $75,000
• Entrance and perimeter monitoring for Fiesta La Ballona which is estimated to be $36,908
Transportation Building
Security guard services for the Transportation Department are estimated at $173,000. This includes a guard monitoring the security gate located on Jefferson Blvd. These services were originally put in place to meet Federal Transit Administration requirements.
The City’s General Fund is projected to have an operating budget deficit of approximately $8.3 million in Fiscal Year 2025-2026. As the City Manager prepares to deliver a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the City must identify cost savings. To the extent that the City can examine its existing contractual services and determine if those services can be reduced, the cost savings generated can serve to reduce the City’s operating deficit and help balance the budget.
ATTACHMENTS
None
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the City’s existing professional services agreement with Good Guard Security, Inc. for security services at City Council meetings and other ways that the funding for that agreement could be used; and,
2. Direct the City Manager as desired.