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Bellflower moves to streamline vendor insurance rules, citing CJPIA exposure and efficiency
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Summary
City staff proposed shortening the vendor insurance matrix to align with CJPIA guidance, reduce contract delays and transfer risk to vendors; staff said CJPIA provides up to $50 million in pooled coverage and noted a projected increase in CJPIA contributions.
City leaders on Monday heard a staff presentation on proposed changes to vendor insurance requirements intended to speed contracts and more closely align Bellflower with practices used by other cities in the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA).
Dana, the city’s risk manager, told the council the current vendor insurance matrix is a shortened, easier-to-read version of the more comprehensive CJPIA matrix used by larger pools. "CJPIA's matrix is more comprehensive," Dana said, and the city’s updated matrix will adopt a clearer, risk-based approach that better matches industry practices.
Dana outlined examples the council could use to assess waiver requests: low-risk contracts such as small IT work that is primarily remote, medium-risk contracts such as on-site carpet installation, and high-risk contracts like tree maintenance where the city could face major liability if an incident occurs. Dana noted the CJPIA pool provides up to $50,000,000 in coverage for members and said CJPIA was projecting contribution increases; staff referenced roughly a 30% projected increase in annual contributions next year.
To reduce administrative delays, staff said the city will stop asking vendors to provide full umbrella-policy reviews in most cases and instead use more targeted documentation. For certain waivers (for example, sole proprietors not subject to workers’ compensation), vendors would sign an attestation form under penalty of perjury; the city manager or designee together with the city attorney would review waiver requests.
Supporters said the changes should shorten turnaround time on contracts while retaining essential protections. Council members asked how waiver decisions would be made and whether the city would remain protected for high-risk work; staff said high-risk projects would continue to require robust insurance limits.
