That the City Council:
A. Approve the purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer and a 2025 Ford F-150 Truck for the City's grant-funded Child Development Division located at the City-owned Child Care Main Office facility at 215 North Euclid Street;

B. Approve an appropriation of $28,686.71 from the California State Preschool Contract Grant Fund, $43,244.11 from the General Child Care Contract Grant Fund, and $9,418.15 from the Day Care Home Food Program (DCH) to fully fund the purchase cost of these vehicles;

C. Authorize staff to issue a purchase order to Puente Hills Ford in an amount not to exceed $81,348.98.

The City of La Habra's grant-funded Child Development Division operates five child care facilities throughout the City, serving approximately 450 students in center-based programs, as well as at day care homes. This includes a Family Child Care Home Network (FCCHN) and a Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), overseeing more than 140 day care home providers across Orange County. Each site requires specific in-person monitoring based on contract requirements. Materials and supplies, such as food, toys, and teaching tools, are regularly transported by staff between locations to support each site. Additionally, City staff frequently conduct or attend program training and events that require travel to and from multiple locations throughout the region.

Currently, program staff are required to utilize their own personal vehicles to travel between City child care facility locations, other program locations in Orange County, or to attend regional training sites. Staff are provided with mileage reimbursement for the use of their personal vehicles. In an effort to provide more reliable and efficient transportation to support the City's Child Care program locations, staff is recommending the purchase of two vehicles utilizing state grant funding. If approved by City Council, the proposed purchases of a 2025 Ford Explorer and a 2025 Ford F-150 Truck will be completed by June 30, 2025. The Child Development Main Office staff will monitor the assignment and use of these vehicles and the City's Public Works Department will provide routine maintenance and repairs for both vehicles.
 
Staff solicited and received a total of three bid proposals for vehicles, as follows:
 

Staff reviewed the proposals from all three bidders and found Puente Hills Ford's total bid to be the most competitive. Their combined bid for a 2025 Ford Explorer and a 2025 Ford F-150 is $81,348.98, representing the lowest responsive bid. There is also no transport fee and the vehicles are in stock and ready for delivery. Staff has submitted the proposed purchase proposal and the three bids to the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for review and approval.

The proposed purchase and pricing has been approved by the California Department of Education and Department of Social Services to fully fund the cost of the vehicle purchases through available state grant funding. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve the purchase of the two vehicles. Due to grant requirements, the grant funds must be expended and the vehicles delivered by or before June 30, 2025.

The total purchase cost of the two vehicles is $81,348.98.  If approved by City Council, state grant funding will be used for the purchase. Additionally, all insurance and maintenance costs for these vehicles will be charged to the grant-funded Child Care program annually. The City's Child Development Division is fully grant-funded and does not receive General Fund support.