Item - 2021.PA27.7

The Board of Directors of Toronto Parking Authority:

1.  Authorized the President, Toronto Parking Authority, to award the contract for the provision of security guard services for Toronto Parking Authority off-street parking facilities to Garda Canada Security Corporation for a term of two (2) years, plus three (3) optional one (1)-year extensions, at the sole option of the President, Toronto Parking Authority, in the estimated amount (two (2) years) of $7,560,000, plus $355,000, as a contingency allowance, being the sum total amount of $7,915,000, subject to annual inflation adjustments as applicable based on the Consumer Price Index in accordance with the contract provisions and net of all taxes and charges.

The purpose of this paper is to request Board approval for the awarding of a new five-year security contract to Garda Canada.

As background, in March 2018 (PA8.4), City of Toronto Corporate Security commenced a security review of Toronto Parking Authority's garages with a particular focus on those facilities experiencing higher frequencies of reported incidents. This assessment identified a need to invest in a more robust, multi-layered security platform including a step change increase in the use of professional security personnel, facility enhancements and the leveraging of improved technologies.

The first element of the programme focused on the deployment of professional security personnel. At its meeting on December 12, 2019 (PA11.6), the Board granted management the authority to award a two-year contract to Garda Canada for the security of its off-street facilities for the period between January 1, 2020-December 6, 2021 for an amount not to exceed $4,074,260.

However, throughout the course of 2020 and 2021, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of cases of vandalism, drug use, fire alarms, biologic contamination, car damage and customer/staff harassment across our facilities- particularly in the downtown core (See Table 3). These conditions have driven a marked increase in customer complaints over the past eighteen (18) months; moreover, Toronto Parking Authority front line staff have expressed similar concerns about their health and safety. To this end, at its meeting on April 6, 2021 (PA22.4), the Board granted authority to management to increase the value of the contract by $1,100,000 on terms and conditions consistent with the current contract.  

Concurrently, at its Board meeting on July 19, 2021 (PA25.4) the Board granted management authorization to enter an agreement with Met-Scan Canada for the supply of closed-circuit television cameras, emergency intercoms and door access readers at nine (9) of its facilities for an amount not to exceed $4,696,689. This capital will be deployed over the next three (3) years and will enhance the health and safety of our staff and customers while reducing enterprise risk.

In summary, on August 3, 2021, Management, in collaboration with City of Toronto Corporate Security, issued a Request for Proposals to secure formal proposals for a new security contract to support the Toronto Parking Authority's mandate of consistently providing safe and secure parking facilities for its staff, customers and residents.