REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Scott M. Haberle, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Bonnie To, Principal Management Analyst
Subject:
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Approve and authorize execution of a contract between the City of Huntington Beach and Wittman Enterprises, LLC to provide billing services for emergency paramedic and ambulance services
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Statement of Issue:
City Council is requested to consider approving and authorizing execution of a contract between the City of Huntington Beach and Wittman Enterprises, LLC to provide billing services for emergency paramedic and ambulance services for an amount not to exceed $1,400,000 over three years.
Financial Impact:
There are sufficient funds available in the FY 2023-24 Fire Department operating budget to cover anticipated contract costs for the remainder of the fiscal year. Future year contract costs will be incorporated in subsequent operating budgets.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the “Professional Services Contract Between the City of Huntington Beach and Wittman Enterprises, LLC for Billing Services for Emergency Paramedic and Ambulance Service” in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000 over three years.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the contract, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The City of Huntington Beach previously entered into a professional services contract with Wittman, which ended in October 2023. The previous contract and amendments included a 3.90% invoice charge to be paid by the City of Huntington Beach to Wittman for the vendor’s services, up to $1,400,000 for a total of four years. In the new proposed contract, there is a 3.75% invoice charge, which is 0.25% lower than the previous rate, which would lead to some cost savings. Of note, this 3.75% rate is considered a lower rate compared to the City of Newport Beach’s rate of 3.99%-4.50% and is competitive.
Furthermore, contract procurement with Wittman complies with Municipal Code 3.03.080(B). (Other Interagency Agreements) to “piggyback” off the City of Newport Beach’s existing contract with Wittman to negotiate one for Huntington Beach. Newport Beach’s contract was procured through an approved RFP process in April 2022.
Wittman has provided consistent and quality billing services to the City of Huntington Beach. As such, the Huntington Beach Fire Department is requesting approval and authorization by the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the “Professional Services Contract Between the City of Huntington Beach and Wittman Enterprises, LLC for Billing Services for Emergency Paramedic and Ambulance Service” in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000 over the span of three years.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 8 - Public Safety, Strategy B - Bolster City's emergency management preparedness and response plans to ensure seamless public safety response during crisis events.
Attachment(s):
1. Professional Services Contract Between the City of Huntington Beach and Wittman Enterprises, LLC for Billing Services for Emergency Paramedic and Ambulance Service
2. City of Newport Beach-Professional Services Agreement with Wittman Enterprises, LLC. For Emergency Medical and Ambulance Billing Services