Single Source Justification for Countywide KeyWatcher Systems
Summary
SCH Number
2025071323
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Single Source Justification for Countywide KeyWatcher Systems
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2025
Document Description
Probation is currently utilizing the proprietary KeyWatcher Touch System by Morse Watchmans, Inc., which provides a secure location for facility keys and other items, all monitored by a computerized system for accountability and security. The County of Riverside has been utilizing this system since 2009, with it currently being in operation at three (3) County facilities and has proven effective in meeting the department’s needs. However, a system upgrade and full replacement is necessary at YTEC, as it had reached its end-of-life cycle. In addition, the KeyWatcher Touch System supplies data that allows Probation to track keys being checked-in and checked-out of the facility, including details on who is checking them out and the duration for which they are checked out. The KeyWatcher Touch System also generates reports on unreturned keys, further enhancing accountability and security.
The proposed one-time purchase will include the software that will be needed to perform upgrades to the current system in place at the Indio Juvenile Hall and Southwest Juvenile Hall. In addition, a one-time purchase for the system at YTEC will directly replace the outdated hardware, which is experiencing various mechanical and software issues due to the end-of-life cycle and will be replaced with upgraded equipment. Additionally, Probation will upgrade the software to align with the other two locations, ensuring consistency across all three facilities. The Single Source Justification to provide KeyWatcher system hardware and software services is identified as the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). No direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Sullivan
Agency Name
Riverside County
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner/Facilities Operations Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Indio, Murrieta, Riverside
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
YTEC County Farm Rd/Harrison; IJH Oasis Street/Doctor Carreon Blvd; SWJC Auld Rd/Leon Rd
Zip
92503
Parcel #
YTEC 145-120-003; IJH 614-150-034; SWJH 963-080-013
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301 Class 1 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
This Class 1 categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site’s use. The approval of the Sole Source Justification does not allow for new construction and is limited to maintenance activities and improvements on existing facilities The improvements to the existing County facilities are maintenance repairs to keep facilities safe and operational and would not expand the capacity of the site and would result in the continuation of public services; therefore, the project is exempt as the improvements meet the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b)(3) Common Sense
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the “general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.” State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Single Source Justification for the continued provision of KeyWatcher services will not lead to any direct or reasonably indirect physical environmental impacts. The direct effects of the Single Source Justification will have purely administrative impacts. In addition, no significant indirect effects would occur from the approval as the Single Source Justifications do not allow for new construction and are limited to provision of maintenance services at existing facilities, which are exempt under CEQA. Therefore, in no way, would the project as proposed have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact and the project is exempt from further CEQA analysis.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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