Street Sweeping Contract Controversy Oxnard

Oct 1, 2024 | City Council Meetings, Communications, In The Know

I hope this helps neighbors and residents understand  the background!

I also hope this helps residents appreciate the responsive nature of Oxnard City Government and Staff!

If you have questions contact your Council Person:

https://www.oxnard.gov/city-council

Explore the new website for the CITY for additional contacts:

https://www.oxnard.gov/

It is better to ask questions, before forming opinions.

A thread on NEXTDOOR had a link to an article that sparked concern and outgrage:

“Oxnard City Officials Accused of Mismanagement in Sweeper Pay
August 14, 2024|Oxnard, Solid Waste, Street Sweeper, Toland Road Landfill”

After reading that on Sunday, Sept. 29th and the concerns of neighbors, I sent an email to the City requesting clarification:

Hi,
Writing to get some clarification on this item.
There is a lot of backlash on Nextdoor.
 

—–
Debbie Mitchell
 

I received the following response on October 1 (at 6:55 am) :

Hello Debbie,
 
Here is some additional info that may help with the clarification you are looking for:
  • The City contracts out street sweeping; there are no City staff members that perform street sweeping work
  • The City incorrectly referenced an assembly bill in our April 23, 2024 City Council staff report for the street sweeping contract
  • However, the State Department of Industrial Relation (DIR) has an official determination that includes paying street sweeping services at prevailing wage (attached 2020-005 Elk Grove)
  • In September 2023 City staff exchanged emails with DIR staff that include applicability of the Elk Grove determination to Oxnard; DIR staff provided info on applicability
  • The City has taken the position that the DIR determination applies to the type of street sweeping performed for the City by the contractor
  • The City’s bid package required contractors to pay prevailing wage for street sweeping services in accordance with the DIR determination
  • The VCTA believes that the City is not bound to the DIR determination (meaning, it’s voluntary to follow per their understanding); the City disagrees
  • The City has requested the DIR to provide an official determination by the DIR director on applicability of their prevailing wage determination for Oxnard
  • The DIR could take up to 12-18 months to provide said official determination
Michael Wolfe
Michael L. Wolfe, P.E. – Director of Public Works
Public Works Department
305 West Third Street, East Wing, Third Floor
Oxnard, California  93030
www.oxnard.org
 

Attached (pdf) is the determination letter from the State of California that the City received dated October 4th, 2021re: “the Director of Industrial Relations regarding coverage of the above referenced project under California’s prevailing wage laws..” :
[CLICK FOR PDF: PW-2020-005]

I also received the following reply to the above information offering a bit more information from Brian Yanez:

Tuesday, October 01, 2024 9:33 AM
Hello Debbie,
I hope you are well. I wanted to share this additional information with Michael Wolfe’s email he sent you. I emailed the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) in September 2023, requesting confirmation that contracted street sweeping services through a contract or franchise agreement require prevailing wages for Power Sweeper Operators. The DIR responded with the following email on September 29, 2023 (attached):

The City does both #1 & #4 through a contractor. As Michael stated in his response, we are still waiting for an official determination from the DIR. Have a great day.

Brian J. Yanez – Assistant Public Works Director
Public Works Department, Administration 
305 West Third Street, East Wing, Third Floor
Oxnard, California  93030
O:  805.200.5412
www.oxnard.org