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 Council will consider approving a $2,144,332 consent calendar with a majority of that going toward paper, pens and all kinds of other stationary.
There's nothing like a million-dollar office supply bill to remind you that you run a massive organization.
City Council will consider approving a four-year contract with Staples to the tune of $1.78 million for office supplies and products. The current contract, also with Staples, expires on July 31.
Electricity costs
Council may approve a contract extension with Commerce Energy, which would begin charging nearly 8.9 cents per kilowatt-hour of renewable electricity for all city electrical accounts, starting June 1.
In the past, City Hall paid between 6.6 cents and 7 cents per kilowatt-hour.
"Energy prices fluctuate daily in an open market," city officials said in a report. "Staff recommends a modification to the current agreement with Commerce Energy for an amount up to 120 percent of the most up-to-date quote available at the time of writing."
This contract would be in place, on a month-to-month basis, until city officials negotiate a new energy agreement.
Homeless system extension
Alexandria Consulting, which got a contract in November to run City Hall's Homeless Management Information System, is recommended to get a one-year contract extension for $155,000.
"Since November, the Alexandria team has provided responsive and accurate support to over 250 HMIS front-line users, agency administrators and City staff to manage day-to-day HMIS activity," city officials said in a report to council. "In addition, Alexandria developed a multi-level training curriculum and work plan to accomplish a major system upgrade in May 2015."
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires all HUD-funded homeless programs use data systems, like those run by Alexandria.
Patient system grant
Council will consider accepting an $87,500 grant from Los Angeles County and matching that grant, for the purchase of an electronic patient care reporting system and record management system.
The Fire Department would use the systems and has budgeted $60,000 for the project. The rest would come from City Hall's capital improvement program.
The system allows paramedics to generate patient reports while in the field, expediting the patient triage process.
Fire risk management
The Firs Department's risk management claims system expires in June.
City Hall's current contractor, Ventiv Technology, "has announced plans to release a new claims management software system and phase out support of its existing system," city officials said in a report to council. "Therefore, the City must transition to a new system for this service. Staff anticipates that it will take 18 to 24 months to complete the competitive selection process for a new system, execute a contract and install a new system."
In the meantime, city officials recommend extending the contract with Ventiv in the amount of $121,832.
dave@www.smdp.com
