|
DATE: |
February 10, 2026 |
09 |
SUBJECT
Title
GENERAL SERVICES - APPROVE FIFTH AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE REGIONAL AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE (DISTRICT: 2)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) is a multi-agency task force that investigates and prosecutes vehicle theft in the San Diego Region. The County of San Diego (County) is the financial administrator for the task force. On June 2, 1992 (20), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the initial lease for office space for RATT.
On August 6, 2019 (17), the Board authorized a site search for a new location as the current facility no longer met the operational requirements of RATT. A space validation conducted by the Department of General Services (DGS) supported a need of up to 21,500 square feet. DGS negotiated a short-term lease extension to allow RATT time to search for space that better suited its programmatic needs. The current facility no longer meets the operational requirements necessary to accommodate the current staffing needs. The County identified a facility owned by the current lessor’s affiliate that meets RATT’s requirements. The initial lease expired on April 30, 2025, and is currently on holdover, which has allowed RATT to continue its occupancy on a month-to-month basis while a relocation amendment was negotiated.
Staff from DGS have negotiated a fifth amendment to the lease agreement that will relocate RATT to a new facility and extend the term by ten years, with one five-year option to further extend the term. The proposed amendment also includes an expansion of 718 square feet. Today’s request is for Board approval of the fifth amendment to the lease agreement, which will allow RATT to relocate to a new facility.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find the proposed lease for the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
2. Approve and authorize the Director, Department of General Services, to execute the proposed lease amendment for the new premises located in San Diego.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force supports the community in its current location. Extending the term of the lease would benefit the community by continuing to provide resources. A larger facility increases the availability of adequate programs and resources ensuring the community has equitable access to law enforcement resources.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Implementing effective sustainability objectives is crucial to ensuring safe and healthy communities and contributing to the overall success of the region. The approval of this lease amendment supports the County’s Strategic Initiative of Sustainability to ensure the capability to respond to immediate needs for individuals, families, and the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for San Diego County District Attorney (DA). If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of approximately $94,500 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 based on an estimated amendment commencement of April 1, 2026. Fiscal Year 2026-27 costs are estimated at $381,308, which includes a 3.5% rent adjustment to go into effect April 1, 2027. Funds for the remaining contract term and for each option year (if exercised) will be included in future years’ operational plans for DA. The funding source is fees collected pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14. There will be no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The multi-agency San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) is comprised of detectives, agents, and investigators from local, State and federal law enforcement agencies. The County of San Diego is the financial administrator for the task force and manages the lease expenses.
On June 2, 1992 (20) the Board approved a lease for 6,734 square feet of office and garage space located in San Diego for RATT. The term of the lease was extended and the size of the premises expanded to 10,532 square feet through a series of lease amendments approved by the Board. The lease expired on April 30, 2025, and is currently on holdover, which has allowed RATT to continue its occupancy on a month-to-month basis while an amendment was negotiated to relocate the task force to a facility owned by the current lessor’s affiliate, that meets RATT’s requirements.
Staff from the Department of General Services negotiated a fifth amendment to the lease agreement for RATT. The proposed amendment will relocate RATT to a new premises and extend the term of the lease for an additional ten years, with one five-year option to further extend the term.
Details of the proposed fifth amendment to lease are as follows:
|
LEASE PROVISION |
EXISTING LEASE |
PROPOSED LEASE AMENDMENT |
|
PREMISES |
10,532 square feet |
11,250 square feet |
|
TERM |
5 Years |
10 years |
|
OPTIONS TO EXTEND |
None |
1, 5-year option |
|
RENT ADJUSTMENTS |
Determined by CPI |
3.5% Annually |
|
EARLY TERMINATION BY COUNTY |
N/A |
N/A |
|
UTILITIES |
Lessor pays |
Lessor pays |
|
MAINTENANCE |
Lessor pays |
Lessor pays |
|
CUSTODIAL |
Lessor pays |
Lessor pays |
|
MONTHLY OCCUPANCY COST Rent Utilities Maintenance Custodial TOTAL OCCUPANCY COST PER MONTH |
$22,454.22 ($2.13/sq. ft.) $0 $0 $0 $ 22,454.22 ($2.13/sq. ft.) |
$31,500 ($2.80/sq. ft.) $0 $0 $0 $ 31,500 ($2.80/sq. ft.) |
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The proposed lease amendment is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines because it involves amending an existing lease for use of an existing building, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing use. Additionally, no exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action to approve the lease amendment for the District Attorney supports the Community Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by providing programs that promote safety for all communities and providing protection from crime.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A