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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of Professional Services Agreement with Good Guard Security, Inc. for Security Services at City Council Meetings, and Potential Alternative Uses for the Funding Allocated to that Agreement; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: April 13, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson, Deputy Director, PRCS
Phone Number: (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 (04/09/2026)
Department Approval: Odis Jones, City Manager (04/09/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends 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 potential alternative uses for the funding allocated to that agreement; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the January 26, 2026, City Council meeting, Council Member McMorrin received consensus to agendize discussion of the existing agreement with Good Guard Security, Inc. which provides additional security and a metal detector at City Council meetings and potential alternative uses for the funding allocated to that contract.
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 is permitted to enter.
DISCUSSION
The City has contracted for security services for many years. The scope and cost of these services have 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 released 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 additional 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, monitor the City Council Chambers exit at City Council meetings, and to provide additional security at Fiesta La Ballona. 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 its 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 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.
The Culver City Police Department recommends limiting the use of Good Guard Security personnel to three (3) security guards assigned to operate metal detectors, in addition to one (1) Culver City Police Officer assigned to each Culver City Council meeting. This staffing model is recommended to ensure the continued safety of elected officials, City staff, and members of the public attending Council meetings, while maintaining an appropriate and balanced security presence.
The recommended configuration provides:
• Layered security screening using metal detectors operated by trained security personnel;
• Immediate law enforcement response capability through the presence of a sworn Culver City Police Officer;
• Efficient entry management to minimize delays while maintaining safety protocols; and
• Alignment with regional best practices among comparable jurisdictions.
This structure balances proactive threat deterrence with responsible resource allocation.
A review of the following security staffing models utilized by neighboring and comparable agencies demonstrates that the proposed model is consistent with established practices:
• City of Beverly Hills
Staffed with three (3) armed security guards and a metal detector.
• City of Hawthorne
Staffed with one (1) police officer utilizing a handheld metal detecting wand.
• City of Hermosa Beach
Staffed with one (1) police officer; no metal detectors utilized.
• City of Santa Monica
Staffed with two (2) police officers; metal detectors deployed on a case-by-case basis.
• University of California Board of Regents (UCLA UC Regents Meetings)
Staffed with one (1) police officer, two (2) security guards, and a metal detector.
These examples reflect that jurisdictions of comparable size and profile utilize between one and three security personnel, often supplemented by one or more sworn officers. The proposed Culver City model falls squarely within this range.
Based on current security considerations, public safety best practices, and regional comparisons, the Culver City Police Department recommends:
• Three (3) Good Guard Security guards assigned to operate metal detectors, and
• One (1) Culver City Police Officer assigned to the Council meeting.
This approach ensures a professional, visible, and effective security posture while remaining consistent with practices adopted by neighboring cities and public institutions.
Staff estimates that the Culver City Police Department’s recommendation to reduce the Good Guard staffing levels at Council Meetings from four (4) guards to three (3) guards would save the City approximately $1,400 for the remainder of the fiscal year.
At this time, City Council should discuss the current level of security services provided at City Council Meetings and alternate uses for such funds and provide direction to staff.
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.
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 potential alternative uses for the funding allocated to that agreement; and,
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as desired.