Agenda Item Wording:
title
Award professional services contract for senior meals- Authorize City Manager to enter into a professional services contract with The Smokin Burrito to provide food services for the Visalia Senior Center Lunch Program for a twelve (12) month period with options to extended annually thereafter for four (4) consecutive one-year periods, a potential of five (5) years total.
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Agenda Date: 05/18/2026
Prepared by: Holly Ellis, Recreation Supervisor, Holly.Ellis@visalia.gov, 713-4461, Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager, Laurissa.Roggenkamp@visalia.gov , 713-4336, Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, Jason.Glick@visalia.gov, 713-4042
Department Recommendation: Staff recommend that Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services contract with The Smokin Burrito LLC for the provision of senior meals under RFP #24-25-17. This award will maintain uninterrupted meal service at the Visalia Senior Center, secure a qualified and locally experienced contractor, and restore a cost-effective meal rate for the program.
Summary:
On February 20, 2026, the City issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #24‑25‑17 for the Annual Contract to Provide Senior Meals. One proposal was received, submitted by The Smokin Burrito LLC. Their proposal includes preparing meals onsite in the Visalia Senior Center Kitchen and providing a hot lunch or salad option at a rate of $5.95 per meal.
A three‑member staff evaluation panel reviewed the submittal. The proposer is a local business with over seven years of catering experience and previously worked with the most recent senior meal contractor for an 18‑month period, during which they prepared daily meals for the summer lunch program. The proposal included an ANSI Certified Food Manager credential and a four‑week sample menu plan. The proposal earned an average score of 93 out of 100 possible points.
The recommended contract term is twelve months, with the option to extend annually for up to four additional one‑year periods (maximum five years). Annual cost adjustments may be requested based on the Consumer Price Index, capped at 5%. The proposed year one cost is not to exceed $111,730.
Awarding this contract ensures continuity of the senior lunch program following the expiration of the previous agreement with Sue Sa’s Catering and avoids further reliance on temporary extensions, which have increased meal costs to $10.00 per meal. The Smokin Burrito’s proposal provides a stable, experienced, and cost‑effective solution for ongoing meal service at the Visalia Senior Center.
Background Discussion:
Contract Background:
The Senior Lunch Program utilizes a contracted caterer to provide weekday lunch service at the Visalia Senior Center. The previous contract with Sue Sa’s Creative Catering had commenced in February 2020 and expired in February 2025. While staff awaited the completion of a formal proposal process, the contract rolled onto a month-to-month basis.
In September of 2025, the contractor notified staff that they could no longer provide meals at the existing rate effective November 1, 2025. Staff negotiated a six-month extension at a new price of $10.00 per meal, replacing the previous month-to-month rate of $4.50 per meal.
This temporary pricing highlighted an urgent need for a new long-term contract to ensure program continuity and financial predictability.
Program Background:
The City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department offers a senior lunch program on weekdays at the Visalia Senior Center. The intent of the senior lunch program is to provide older adults in the community with access to affordable and nutritious meals in a welcoming and social environment, helping reduce food insecurity and isolation among older residents.
Under this contract with The Smokin Burrito, the City pays the contractor a rate of $5.95 per meal. Senior participants are charged a separate program fee established by the City, which is lower than the contract rate and subsidized to maintain affordability.
The Senior Lunch Program is outlined in the City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department fee policy, which is reviewed annually by the City Council and was most recently adopted during the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Rates & Fee review. Under this policy, the program is categorized as a shared Community and Individual Benefit, meaning its costs are offset equally for Visalia resident seniors by the City tax subsidy (50%), representing the community benefit, and participant fees (50%), representing the individual benefit.
To maintain the balance between the City subsidy and participant contributions, a small increase in participant meal prices is required.
• Beginning July 1, 2026
o Visalia Seniors: a $0.25 increase
§ Dine-In: from $4.50 to $4.75
§ To-Go: from $5.00 to $5.25
These changes to meal prices will ensure the program remains affordable for participants while staying fully compliant with the Council‑adopted fee policy and the City’s cost‑recovery model.
Staff will be re-evaluating the rates and fees for non-Visalia resident meal costs which will more accurately reflect the full cost, without City subsidy for non-residents.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: An estimated not-to-exceed cost of $111,730 for year one of the contract at $5.95 per meal. A CPI increase based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, All Items) up to 5% may be added for each additional year of the contract.
Prior Council Action: February 3, 2020 Council awarded RFP 19-20-19 to Sue Sa’s Creative Catering for the professional services to provide food services for the Visalia Senior Center Lunch Program.
Alternatives: Not to award The Smokin Burrito LLC and direct staff to go back out with another RFP.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to award an annual contract to provide senior meals to The Smokin Burrito LLC.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 05/18/2026
Attachments:
Draft contract with RFP and proposal from The Smokin’ Burrito
Draft Sample Menus
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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