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 Council discussed upgrades to Expo-impacted intersection in a $903,000 consent agenda at Tuesday night's meeting.
City officials recommended that half a million dollars be spent to improve intersections currently under construction for the incoming Expo Light Rail station.
All five intersections are along Colorado Avenue where track is being laid. The current plan is to surround the tracks with concrete but finish the streets with asphalt.
City officials say it would be better if the entire intersections were done in concrete — and done now.
"Concrete intersections are more sustainable and last longer, requiring less maintenance versus asphalt concrete intersections," they said. "Completing this work now would prevent future street closures for repairs to asphalt, thereby impacting traffic for businesses, residents, tourists, fire, and police."
If they wait until after the light rail opens, construction would have to be completed during Expo's off-hours (2 to 5 a.m.), city officials said.
The concrete intersections would be at Fifth, Seventh, 11th, 14th, and 17th streets.
The Expo Metro Line Construction Authority would get the $500,000 contract.
SMURFF membrane
SMURFF needs its membrane replaced. The Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURFF) is designed to eliminate pollution of Santa Monica Bay caused by urban runoff during the dry season.
It cleans about 180,000 gallons of water every day; that water is used for, among other things, irrigating landscapes.
"The membranes used to filter the urban runoff after ten years are at the end of their useful life and require replacement," city officials said. "The City expects the new membranes will have a useful life of ten years."
J.R Filanc Construction Co. Inc. would get the $282,000 contract.
City Hall software
City Hall needs $21,000 to extend its contract with a company whose software provides permit and land management. About 300 city employees use Accela's program to manage building permits and inspections, code enforcement activities, planning applications, fire inspections, rent control records, city clerk fees, and public works permits.
Water saving plan
The company tasked with developing the Sustainable Water Master Plan needs an additional $100,000. Council has approved $871,856 worth of spending in the past for Kennedy/Jenks to design the master plan, aimed at helping City Hall achieve 100 percent self-sufficiency on local water sources by 2020.
"Additional services are needed to complete the rate and revenue analyses for the Water Fund, finalize the Sustainable Water Mater Plan, and provide public outreach regarding any change in the rate structure," city officials said.
dave@www.smdp.com
