Council Laments Vote to End Relationship With Custodial Nonprofit

City Council members said they did what's in the best interest of taxpayers Tuesday night when they voted unanimously to end the city's relationship with a nonprofit custodial company staffed by adults with developmental  disabilities.

Mission Viejo-based Vocational Visions held contracts with the city totaling 15 years to clean park restrooms. With the most recent contract up for renewal, Vocational Visions raised its fees 13 percent, to a total $173,406.

So the council opted Tuesday to hire a new company, Great Cleaning Service Inc., which, by a long shot, outbid eight other companies, including Vocational Visions. Its bid for a three-year contract is $76,212.

"I think we all feel like bad people up here today, but we have a responsibility to the citizens to spend their money wisely," said Councilman Larry Kramer.

In a letter to the council, Mission Viejo resident Edward W. Kenna implored the council to renew Vocational Visions' contract. "Approximately 12 Vocational Visions clients, many of whom have worked for you for 15 years, will be out of work," he wrote.

Kenna said he serves as chairman of the board for Vocational Visions and has a daughter who contracts with the organization.

"For the record, Vocational Visions has had this contract [with San Juan Capistrano] for 15 years, and I understand that the compliments have been many and the complaints have been very minimal," he added.

Councilman Derek Reeve said that as a person with a physical disability, he empathizes the difficulties that can come with finding work. "I'm conflicted with emotional personal perspective and my fiduciary duty ... but I have to be sworn to the taxpayers," he ultimately decided.

A Vocational Visions representative said its cost for services is adjusted to meet rising costs of living, such as that of fuel. He said the organization complied with the city's request three years ago to hold the line on its price but could not afford to do so again.

About 15 employees were present at the council meeting to show their support of renewing the contract.

The new contract with Great Cleaning Services Inc. will begin Aug. 1. The city retains the right to terminate the contract without cause with a 30-day notice.