Editor's note: This story is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city's expenditures appearing on upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agendas. Consent agenda items are routinely passed by the City Council with little or no discussion from elected officials or the public. However, many of the items have been part of public discussion in the past.
CITY HALL — City officials propose to spend roughly $5.6 million Tuesday on a wide range of goods and services, including updating lights on the Expo Light Rail Line and purchasing furniture for the new Santa Monica Pico Branch Library.
But the bulk of the money is going toward easing parking headaches.
The City Council will be asked to spend $3.4 million for a centralized parking system for Downtown, the Main Library, Civic Center, Ken Edwards Center and Santa Monica Pier deck parking lot.
It would be for the purchase, installation and maintenance of a new Parking Access and Revenue Control System, or PARCS. The manufacturer of the old system no longer supplies parts for it, which has led to frequent failure, resulting in the loss of $80,000 per month in revenue when the system is down, city officials said.
It also creates a bad impression, as drivers have to wait longer to pay and exit, which creates traffic and increased emissions.
The system processes approximately 9 million transactions annually.
The contract would include purchase and installation of new parking equipment for 14 parking facilities for an amount not to exceed $3.4 million and provide ongoing maintenance service for seven years with an option to extend for three additional years with the cost estimated at $200,000 per year.
Pico Library taking shape
A Georgia-based company, Bibliotheca, LLC, will be recommended by city officials to provide sorting and conveyor equipment, computer software configuration services, hardware and peripherals, training, and a one-year warranty for a library Automated Materials Handling System in an agreement for $279,520.
With an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS), patrons can feed their materials into return slots to be located both inside and outside the Pico Branch Library facility and have their borrowing record immediately reflect that the items have been returned. The system can accept returns during both open and closed hours.
Interior Office Solutions, a California-based company, is recommended by city officials to provide delivery and furniture installation for the library for $156,197. The services would include ordering and installing all of the furnishings. The library construction is expected to be complete in early 2014.
R.C. Construction Services, Inc., a California-based company, is recommended by city officials to provide additional construction services for the library for $363,000.
Let there be light!
City Council is likely to approve an agreement with Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority for $875,000 to perform final engineering services and improve street lighting on the south side of Colorado Avenue between Fifth and 16th streets. The Expo Line will connect downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica and include three stations: the 26th Street/Bergamot, Colorado/17th Street/Santa Monica College and Downtown Santa Monica. Phase two of the line is scheduled to open in early 2016.
Clean beach
City officials hope to purchase equipment to keep the beach clean from Powerland Equipment, Inc., a California-based company, for $137,543.
The Cherrington Beach Cleaner vehicle is used by the Beach Maintenance Division on a daily basis to screen and clean beach sand. If approved, the purchase would replace an existing beach cleaner that's reached the end of its service life.
Parking Structure 6 inspections
Willdan Geotechnical, a California-based company, could walk away with a $55,000 agreement to provide additional inspection services during the rebuilding of Parking Structure 6. If approved, this would result in a two-year amended agreement of $423,000. The project is expected to be completed in late December 2013.
Protecting the bay
If approved, the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, West Hollywood, and El Segundo, along with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the County of Los Angeles would share the cost of developing an enhanced watershed management program for the Santa Monica Bay and Ballona Creek watersheds for $209,239. A section of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the issuance of a permit to regulate municipal storm water discharges. The watershed management program provides a comprehensive plan that would be expected to improve water quality through the planning and implementation of multi-benefit, regional projects in the watershed area.
From paper to the web
IQM2, a New York–based company, will be recommended by city officials for a five year agreement for a web-based agenda software system for $85,357. If approved, city officials could use the software to write staff reports and send them to various city departments and supervisors.
Efficient waste collection
City officials hope to modify two contracts with Delaware-based WM Logistics, LLC. for $101,750 to buy software to optimize waste collection routes and provide on-board maps and travel directions, and tech support.
Cash coming in
City officials want to continue working with Bergamot Station, Ltd., for another two years to help manage property at the Bergamot Station Arts Center. If approved, the lease agreement would last until Dec. 31, 2017 and bring in a monthly rent of $44,000.
Bergamot Station Arts Center is located on 5.5 acres of City Hall-owned land and includes more than 30 art galleries, creative businesses, and a nonprofit theater company.
There was a rent reduction of $3,664 per month due to a loss of land because of the incoming Expo Line, city officials said.
City officials also hope to use $422,286 from the 2012 Urban Area Security Initiative to purchase equipment and training that supports regional homeland security goals. The UASI program focuses on enhancing regional preparedness in major metro areas. Some of the equipment would include an automated license plate reading system for the police department and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training and equipment for the fire department.
And finally, a City Hall-owned property is up for sale at 1731-1733 20th St. and will most likely go to Crossroads School of Arts and Science. The remnant piece of land was created and deeded to City Hall after the development of Interstate 10 in the 1960s. The parcel is 772 square feet and an independent appraisal determined the value to be $200 per square foot. If sold, the money would go into the city's general fund, which pays for the city's core services.
Crossroads is currently in talks with City Hall to upgrade classrooms and other facilities.
ameera@www.smdp.com
