A portion of the sale of all burial plots, crypts or niche is reserved for perpetual care services. (photo by Brandon Wise)
<i>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.</i>
CITY HALL — A new and highly anticipated computerized network for homeless service providers is almost ready to go live.
Almost.
The City Council tonight is expected to authorize a series of contract negotiations related to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), tying up loose ends before the network goes live this spring.
The modifications to the three contracts — estimated to cost an extra $68,300 — is part of a $110,900 spending package the council is slated to approve.
The new system was developed from a 2006 recommendation of the Urban Institute to replace a 14-year-old network — ClientTrack — that was installed for agencies to track clients, bringing it into compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The contract amendments include a $28,500 increase to an agreement with Bowman Systems, LLC to transfer data from the existing network to the new and integrate information from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The modification was anticipated early on when the consultant indicated that it would not have a final cost until after reviewing the current system and completing the development of the data migration and integration plan, a city staff report stated.
The complexity of the contract negotiations with Bowman has resulted in $26,500 increase in the agreement with Canavan Associates, which was hired to provide consulting services for the new HMIS.
The final contract changes involve Chris Fonner, who has provided computer technical support with the existing system. His contract is expected to be extended through June 30, costing an extra $13,300.
“To ensure continued support of ClientTrack, and assistance with the migration and validation of legacy data into the new HMIS, it is necessary to add additional funds … to his existing contract,” city staff said.
Everlasting care for the deceased
A long-time investment manager for City Hall will continue to oversee the perpetual care funds for Woodlawn Cemetery and Mausoleum.
RNC Genter Capital Management, which has been the investment manager for the funds since 1992, is slated to receive a new three-year contract, which includes two, one-year renewals. The contract is estimated to cost about $42,600, or 0.6 percent of the $7.1 million portfolio.
A portion of the sale of all burial plots, crypts or niche is reserved for perpetual care services.
melodyh@www.smdp.com
