Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Concession agreement for horse boarding services at Folger Stable in Wunderlich County Park
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a concession agreement with Excel Equestrian LLC. for the provision of horse boarding services at Folger Stable in Wunderlich County Park, for the initial term of October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027, with options to renew for two additional four-year terms at the County’s discretion.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 1974, the County’s Parks Department (“Department”) has contracted with various third party concessionaires for the purpose of operating a public horse boarding facility at Wunderlich County Park in the Town of Woodside. The facilities used to support horse boarding operations include the historic Folger Stable, the annex barn, the blacksmith barn, designated turnouts, the riding arena, and ancillary structures (the “Stable Facilities”). The Stable Facilities have capacity to support up to 30 boarded horses.
On April 18, 2025, the Department released a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) seeking a qualified concessionaire to provide horse boarding services at the Stable Facilities. As part of the services requested, the selected concessionaire would be responsible for (among other things) turning the boarded horses out daily, feeding the horses, cleaning the stalls and turnouts, cleaning the Stable Facilities, and conducting night checks of the horses. The selected concessionaire would also be responsible for operating a financially sustainable operation, as the Department will not subsidize horse boarding services.
The Department used OpenGov to release the RFP and to receive all proposals. All County policies and procedures regarding the solicitation and evaluation of proposals for services were followed. Three (3) proposals were received by the May 16, 2025 deadline, and the Department deemed all three proposals to be complete.
The Department established two evaluation panels, one to review the proposals and one to interview the proposing entities. Both panels were comprised of Department staff and representatives from the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks. After reviewing the proposals and interviewing all three proposing entities, the panel recommends that the County enter into contract with Excel Equestrian LLC. for the provision of horse boarding service at Wunderlich County Park.
DISCUSSION:
After a detailed evaluation process, Excel Equestrian LLC. was determined to be the most qualified proposing entity because of its experience operating boarding facilities in San Mateo County, working knowledge of the Stable Facilities and community, and ability to provide comprehensive services including those that are required by the RFP and those ancillary to high quality services but not required by the RFP. Excel Equestrian LLC. is also the only proposing entity based in the San Mateo County.
Pursuant to the proposed concession agreement (“Agreement”), Excel Equestrian LLC. will be responsible for providing all services required for operating the Stable Facilities, including turning out and feeding the boarded horses, cleaning and maintaining the facilities, and ordering and supplying feed and shavings. Excel Equestrian LLC. will also be responsible for developing an emergency evacuation plan for all horses boarded at the Stable Facilities, creating a membership program that enables the public to access and use the riding arena, and maintaining close communication with the Department, Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks, and boarders.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Excel Equestrian LLC. must comply with all applicable animal welfare laws and industry standards of care. To ensure the safety and health of boarded horses, the Agreement requires Excel Equestrian LLC, on an annual basis, to schedule and facilitate visual inspections and reporting of facilities and horses by a qualified animal husbandry practitioner.
Although Excel Equestrian, LLC. will be responsible for routine maintenance of the Stable Facilities (e.g., dragging the arena, maintaining stalls and turnouts, replacing broken panels in the stable), the Department and Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks will continue to be responsible for larger maintenance activities such as repairing siding, painting, and replacing broken utilities and systems. The Department and Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks prefer this arrangement because of the historic designation of certain facilities on site and the need to ensure all maintenance activities are conducted in a manner that does not compromise this designation.
The proposed Agreement specifies that the Department will not subsidize operations at the Stable Facilities. As a result, Excel Equestrian LLC. will have to charge boarding fees that are sufficient to support all operating expenses including staff, feed, shavings, and administration. Quarterly, Excel Equestrian LLC. will pay the Department 10 percent of gross revenue, which will be used to support the maintenance of the Stable Facilities. No other fees are to be paid pursuant to this Agreement.
The Agreement has an initial, 2-year probationary term of October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027, with the option to extend the Agreement for up to two (2) additional 4-year terms provided that the concessionaire has performed all services required by the Agreement in a satisfactory manner.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
FY 2027-28 |
|
Percent of stalls occupied |
80% |
80% |
80% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Folgers Stable is one of the last public horse boarding facilities in the County, making it one of the last remaining affordable options for members of the public. The Agreement has been structured to preserve public access to the Stable Facilities while also supporting the equestrian community, which in recent years has experienced a significant reduction in boarding facilities in the region.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Although it is expected to be a nominal amount, it is unknown at this time how much revenue will be realized because of the new concession agreement with Excel Equestrian LLC. The Department does not anticipate exceeding its revenue from the Use of Money and Property appropriation. Accordingly, the Department will add the appropriate revenue estimate to the Department’s FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. There is no impact on Net County Cost.