SR-10-08-2013-3BY City Council Report
Citof
Santa Monied
City Council Meeting: October 8, 2013
Agenda Item: L�
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Subject: Professional Services Agreement for OPCC
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a sole source professional services agreement with OPCC (formerly known as
Ocean Park Community Center), a California based company, in an amount not to
exceed $16,805 per year for domestic violence advocacy services for victims in
domestic violence cases prosecuted by the City Attorney's Office, with four additional
one -year renewal options in the amount of $16,805 for a total not to exceed $82,540
over five years, with future funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Executive Summary
The City Attorney's Office, through its Criminal Division, oversees a domestic violence
advocacy program for victims in domestic violence cases prosecuted by the City
Attorney's Office. An integral part of the program is providing a domestic violence
advocate who is jointly funded by OPCC. OPCC operates the only domestic violence
shelter and associated program in the City. It is familiar with and has unique
information about local resources related to domestic violence. This agreement reflects
a one -year agreement with four options to renew at the City's sole discretion and would
not exceed $82,540 over a five year period.
Background
For more than twenty years, the City has provided a work space for and jointly funded a
domestic violence advocate with OPCC. Since that time, the position of domestic
violence advocate has helped thousands of victims of domestic violence in the City.
The domestic violence advocate is an OPCC employee and OPCC provides the training
on an ongoing basis for this position.
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The position was created to fill victims' need for trained support and guidance. The
domestic violence advocate's helps guide the victims through the process of the trial,
which includes appearing as a witness for the prosecution. The domestic violence
advocate work helps both the victims in domestic violence cases and the People
because the prosecution has a better chance of winning the case and breaking the
cycle of domestic violence when the victims have received the expert guidance provided
by the domestic violence advocate. The City Attorney's Office credits the domestic
violence advocate with an increased ability to successfully prosecute domestic violence
cases.
Discussion
The City currently provides a work space for the domestic violence advocate and jointly
funds the part -time employee for assistance with advocacy for victims of domestic
violence in cases prosecuted by the Criminal Division of the City Attorney's Office. In
the past years, the City has entered into individual year -to -year agreements with OPCC.
Staff recommends a one -year agreement with four one -year options to renew.
Contractor /Consultant Selection
OPCC is the only domestic violence shelter in Santa Monica which gives it a unique
ability to assist victims. OPCC also provides counseling, training to the SMPD,
transitional housing in Santa Monica and other cities when needed. The long standing
partnership, along with the aforementioned assets, make OPCC the best viable provider
of domestic violence services.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The agreement to be awarded to OPCC is $16,508 per year with five one year options
to renew, for an agreement total not to exceed $82,540. Funds are included in the FY
2013 -14 budget in division 231. The agreement will be charged to account
01231.555110. Budget authority for subsequent years will be requested in each budget
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cycle for Council approval. Future funding is contingent upon Council approval and
budget adoption.
Prepared by: Diana Burger, Office Administrator, City Attorney's Office
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference:
Agreement No. 9806
(CCS)