CC - Item 6A - Graffiti Removal ProgramROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 14, 2022
SUBJECT: GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM
SUMMARY
On April 12, 2022, the City Council discussed the City's graffiti removal program and options
on how the program can be improved to better serve our residents and business community.
Currently, Public Works staff removes graffiti on City properties, and on private property if
graffiti is gang -related or contains profanity text/symbol visible to the public. For non -gang -
related or profanity text/symbol graffiti on private property, the property owner is responsible for
the removal.
For the City to remove all graffiti (gang and non -gang -related) on private property that is visible
to the public, the City has two options: 1) add one (1) full-time Public Works staff dedicated to
graffiti removal and purchase an additional graffiti removal truck with necessary
materials/equipment; or 2) contract with a full-service graffiti removal service provider. It is
recommended that the City Council discuss the recommended options presented in this staff
report and provide direction to staff to proceed with the selected option.
On April 12, 2022, the City Council discussed the City's graffiti removal program and options
on how the program can be improved to better serve our residents and business community,
including options for the City to remove all graffiti, including non -gang -related, on private
property and visible to the public. Subsequently, staff further evaluated the City's graffiti
program and performed an expanded outreach to graffiti removal contractors to further define
graffiti removal contracting costs.
In the past 12 months, the City has removed a total of approximately 2,100 incidents of graffiti,
including 1,800 incidents of gang -related graffiti located on private property and 300 incidents of
all graffiti located on City properties. Staff estimates approximately 600 incidents of non -gang -
related graffiti on private property on an annual basis. The estimated total of all graffiti (gang
and non -gang -related) occurring on private property and City property on an annual basis is
approximately 2,700 incidents.
AGENDA ITEM 6.A
City Council Meeting
June 14, 2022
Page 2 of 3
Staff estimates removal of one (1) graffiti incident requires an average of thirty (30) minutes.
With an estimated 2,700 graffiti incidents occurring per year, staff estimates approximately eight
(8) hours per day will be spent on graffiti removal and monitoring. This includes six (6) hours
per day in graffiti removal and two (2) hours per day actively monitoring graffiti on daily routes.
Graffiti removal is performed by the Public Works Field Services team, which includes two staff
members utilizing a 2015 Ford F350 truck that is specifically equipped to store graffiti removal
equipment including a pressure washer, water tank, and secured storage for nine (9) 5 -gallon
paint buckets. In addition to graffiti removal, the Fields Services team implements City Council
approved Traffic Commission recommendations, and performs routine maintenance including
installation of signage and striping, repair of pavement, curb & gutter and sidewalks, and bus
stop trash receptacles.
Staff s assessment is that current staffing levels could not support the removal of all graffiti on
private property. To remove all graffiti on private property, the City would require the
implementation of one of the following options:
Option 1— Perform Graffiti removal with in-house staff:
• Addition of one (1) full-time Maintenance Worker at an annualized fully burdened cost
of $89,000 (highest step).
• Purchase of a graffiti removal truck at a cost of $110,000.
• Truck maintenance at a cost of $2,000 per year.
• Truck gasoline at a cost of $9,000 per year.
• Truck insurance at a cost of $500 per year.
• Graffiti removal supplies/equipment at a cost of $3,000 per year.
• Graffiti removal will be performed 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.
o Total annual cost is $103,500.
o Total one-time cost is $110,000 (graffiti removal truck).
Option 2 — Contract with Graffiti removal service provider:
• Estimated annual cost of $215,000. Cost is based on an average of five (5) quotes
received from graffiti removal contractors. Quotes ranged from a high of $250,000 to a
low of $170,000. Actual cost will be determined through a formal bidding process.
• Graffiti removal services include one (1) full-service contractor and truck that will be
dedicated to the City for graffiti removal and performing daily routes.
• Services provided Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.
The implementation of Option 1 or 2 will result in resource savings for staff currently
responsible for graffiti removal of approximately six (6) hours per day, which includes four (4)
hours per day in graffiti removal and two (2) hours per day actively monitoring for graffiti on
daily routes. The savings of resources will be used to address the current backlog of Traffic
City Council Meeting
June 14, 2022
Page 3 of 3
Commission recommended improvements and timely maintenance of city-wide signage and
striping.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the options as noted above and provide direction
to staff to proceed with one of the following options:
• Option 1 — Perform Graffiti removal with in-house staff including the addition of one (1)
full-time Maintenance Worker and purchase of graffiti removal truck.
• Option 2 — Contract with graffiti removal service provider.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of this item will depend on action taken by the City Council and defined
below:
Option 1 — Perform Graffiti removal with in-house staff
• Total annual cost of approximately $103,500.
• Total one-time cost of approximately $110,000 (graffiti removal truck).
Option 2 — Contract with graffiti removal service provider
• Estimated annual cost of approximately $215,000.
Costs for Option t or 2 is included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Proposed Annual Budget and is
funded by General Funds in the amount of $250,000.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
Graffiti abatement is consistent with the City of Rosemead's Strategic Plan Goal C -
Infrastructure and Facilities, which is to enhance streets, sidewalks, and public infrastructure;
coordinate with relevant utility agencies regarding safety and enhancements; and modernize
facilities by expanding the use of wireless network technology and renewable energy.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
Michael Chung, P.E.
Director of Public Works
St. Francis Electric
Page 11 of 11
3.5.19 Equal Opportunity Employment. Contractor represents that it is an
equal opportunity employer and it shall not discriminate against any subcontractor,
employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin,
handicap, ancestry, sex or age. Such non-discrimination shall include, but not be limited
to, all activities related to initial employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment
or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination. Contractor shall also comply with all
relevant provisions of City's Minority Business Enterprise program, Affirmative Action
Plan or other related programs or guidelines currently in effect or hereinafter enacted.
3.5.20 Labor Certification. By its signature hereunder, Contractor certifies
that it is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the California Labor Code which
require every employer to be insured against liability for Worker's Compensation or to
undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that Code, and agrees to
comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the Services.
3.5.21 Authority to Enter Agreement. Contractor has all requisite power and
authority to conduct its business and to execute, deliver, and perform the Agreement.
Each Party warrants that the individuals who have signed this Agreement have the legal
power, right, and authority to make this Agreement and bind each respective Party.
3.5.22 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original.
3.6 Subcontracting.
3.6.1 Prior Approval Required. Contractor shall not subcontract any
portion of the work required by this Agreement, except as expressly stated herein, without
prior written approval of City. Subcontracts, if any, shall contain a provision making them
subject to all provisions stipulated in this Agreement.
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