Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH LIFESTATION INC. FOR THE EMERGENCY ALERT RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS) PROGRAM (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
Since 2006 the City of Carson has been contracting with a vendor to provide an Emergency Alert Response System (EARS) service to seniors aged 60 and over. The program is intended to permit seniors to live independently and safely in their homes, while giving themselves and their family peace of mind should an emergency occur. An Invitation for Bids (IFB) process was completed in July 2019. After a thorough review of all the proposals, the selected vendor was LifeStation, Inc. Tonight, the City Council is asked to approve a contract with LifeStation, Inc. to provide this service and to authorize the execution of its contract (Exhibit No. 1).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. APPROVE a contract with LifeStation, Inc., to provide the Emergency Alert Response System (EARS) service in an amount not to exceed $20,460.
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the contract, following approval as to form by the City Attorney.
3. AUTHORIZE the City Manager to execute an amendment to extend the term by 12 months and for an amount not to exceed $11,160 during the extension, if the City desires to exercise its option to extend.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action deemed appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Human Services Division’s Senior Assisted Living Program was established to assist frail residents over the age of 60 who are in need of a minimal amount of assistance. To this end, the EARS Program was initiated more than ten years ago to provide the City’s seniors the opportunity to continue to live independently and safely in their homes, as opposed to a long-term care facility. This service gives seniors peace of mind that they have access to assistance in the event of a fall or emergency situation.
To qualify for this program, participants must be a senior over the age of 60 and live alone. There are currently 28 EARS users. The City recently completed an Invitation for Bids (IFB) process with the goal of obtaining better service rates and increasing the number of program participants. The selected vendor, LifeStation, Inc., will charge a flat rate of $15.50 per month, per unit. As many as 60 units will be available to enable Carson seniors to remain safely in their homes.
The contract presented for City Council approval is for an initial term of 22 months (September 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021) for an amount not to exceed $20,460. The City has an option to extend the term for 12 months, during which the City’s payment to LifeStation shall not exceed $11,160. Staff requests Council authorization for the City Manager to exercise the option to extend for an additional year if the City later desires to continue services beyond June 30, 2021. As the cumulative contract amount, including the option to extend, exceeds $25,000, this contract is being brought to the City Council for its approval.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council approve the recommendation, funds for this contract are budgeted in the FY 2019/20 Adopted General Fund budget in Account Number 101-90-980-227-6004.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Draft LifeStation, Inc., Contract. (3-26)
Prepared by: Amanda Valorosi, Senior Assisted Living Coordinator II