County approves environmental consulting master agreements after debate over outreach, budget and living‑wage exemption

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on March 11 approved master agreements to create a pool of environmental consultants for as‑needed work, approving the item 4‑1 after Supervisor Janice Hahn voted no.

The agreements, described by Department of Beaches and Harbors Director Gary Jones as a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) to assemble qualified firms for biology, arboriculture and water‑quality work, are intended to let the county secure specialized expertise on an as‑needed basis. Jones told the board 11 firms responded and met minimum requirements and that seven of those are existing contractors the department has used.

Supervisor Hahn said she was concerned that some firms who perform water‑quality work did not see the solicitation, asked how the county advertised the RFSQ and pressed the department on whether the county could rely on in‑house arborists or share staff across departments instead of using contractors for routine work.

"There were 11 that responded and did meet the minimum requirements," Jones said, adding that the county did advertise the RFSQ and that the pool will remain open so additional consultants can join over the contract term. "We did distribute and advertise the request for qualifications...we are always looking for qualified consultants." (Gary Jones, Department of Beaches and Harbors)

Jones told the board the department's need for arborists is largely tied to Marina del Rey, where roughly 2,000 trees require care that can include emergency response after storms and work timed to avoid disturbance to coastal nesting birds. He said the department has not yet explored borrowing arborists from other county units but acknowledged that some needs are urgent and intermittent.

Hahn noted contract language allowing up to $1 million per year under the master agreements while the department's current budget for these services has been about $250,000 annually. "If you did use all these services to the max, a million dollars a year, you would be seeing a bit of a shortfall," Hahn said. Jones said the department has historically remained within the $250,000 level and would request additional funding in a future budget phase if necessary.

Hahn also questioned why the services were exempt from the county's living‑wage requirement. Jones said the exemption was based on the intermittent nature of the work and that there is no guarantee of a specific amount of work for any one contractor under the pool. He added the department does not have details on each contractor's labor agreements and therefore could not immediately say whether firms use union labor or what their pay practices are.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath pointed to an existing board motion directing county offices to compare total compensation—wages plus benefits—when evaluating whether contracting work should be subject to county living‑wage standards, and she said the county should consider whether solicitation language can surface contractor labor practices.

Public comments during general comment also touched on related matters: concerns about marine wildlife and the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro being overrun with sick sea lions, and a request that the county prioritize contracting with vendors who provide fair pay and working conditions.

The motion to approve the master agreements for environmental consulting services (item 21) was moved by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and seconded by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. The roll call vote was: Hilda L. Solis — Aye; Holly J. Mitchell — Aye; Lindsey P. Horvath — Aye; Janice Hahn — No; Kathryn Barger — Aye. The motion carried 4 to 1.

The contract mechanism creates an open pool for specialized consultants and department staff said it provides flexibility to secure short‑term or emergency services; any need for funding beyond current budgeted amounts would be addressed in a future budget request.