REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2026
FROM
BEAHTA R. DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks Department
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Ontario for Law Enforcement Services and Training at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve the non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Ontario, including non-standard terms, for Law Enforcement services and training at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park for the term of March 11, 2026 through March 10, 2029.
(Presenter: Beahta R. Davis, Director, 387-2340)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not require the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is non-financial in nature. Under this MOU, the County will allow the City of Ontario Police Department to conduct up to four training exercises annually at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park (Park), and the City will provide patrol services and respond to calls for service during operational hours and special events, as staffing permits.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ontario Police Department is the duly established and authorized municipal law enforcement agency for the City of Ontario, with jurisdiction to enforce state and local laws within the City’s incorporated limits. Although the Park is owned and operated by the County, it is located within the City’s incorporated boundaries, and situations periodically arise within the Park that require law enforcement response to promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare of the public.
The County desires to coordinate with Ontario Police Department to ensure timely, effective, and consistent law enforcement response to incidents occurring within the Park. Ontario Police Department is willing to provide law enforcement services at the Park, including but not limited to response to service calls, enforcement of applicable laws and ordinances, and public safety support, in cooperation with the County.
Ontario Police Department will conduct law enforcement training activities within Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park up to four times per calendar year. Ontario Police Department will notify Regional Parks with at least 10 days’ advance written notice prior to each training exercise. Following each training, Ontario Police Department shall take reasonable steps to restore any affected areas to their prior condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.
The terms and conditions of the MOU include terms that differ from the standard County agreement. The non-standard terms include the following:
1. The County is required to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City of Ontario from all claims, damages, and liability arising out of the County’s performance under the MOU except where such indemnification is prohibited by law.
• The County standard contract does not include any indemnification or defense by the County of a contractor.
• Potential Impact: By agreeing to indemnify the City, the County could be contractually waiving the protection of sovereign immunity. Claims that may otherwise be barred against the County, time limited, or expense limited could be brought against the City and the County could be responsible to defend the City which could expose the County to financial liability.
2. The MOU does not require the City to meet the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies 11-05, 11-07, and 11-07SP.
• County policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The City is an authorized self-insured public entity for purposes of general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation.
The Regional Parks Department recommends approval of this MOU, including the non-standard terms, to establish a framework under which Ontario Police Department may respond to service and emergency calls and provide regular patrol services at Cucamonga-Guasti Park.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 4, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on February 12, 2026.