Bids for controversial project far exceed City Hall’s budget
CITY HALL — When it comes to fluoridating the drinking water in Santa Monica, officials have learned almost nothing follows the status quo.
A 2001 decision to fluoridate drinking water throughout the city was dealt a setback this fall when developers over bid the estimated $1.2 million project by as much as $1 million. In response, the City Council agreed to waive the formal bidding requirements and seek out a contractor on the open market.
Doing that required two-thirds approval from the council, and a small but vocal group of activists turned out before the vote last week to reiterate their distaste for the project. While proponents claim fluoridation helps keep teeth strong, opponents liken it to forced medication and say the health benefits are dubious.
“I think that we are tampering with nature, and it’s not good,” said Marissa Rubin, the last of 11 people to speak against fluoridation.
Eight developers initially showed interest in building the fluoridation system, but only two submitted formal offers. Ecology Construction Inc. pegged the cost at $1.7 million and Atlas-Allied Inc. valued it at $2.2 million, according to city staffers, who said both “bids substantially exceed the capital budget for the project.”
Council members agreed unanimously to reject the offers and permit City Manager Susan McCarthy to negotiate a contract on the open market, meaning she won’t be bound by the formal bidding procedures typically required in government spending. There was no discussion on the merits of fluoridation before the vote.
That wasn’t the case in October of 2001 when the controversial plans were first approved, or in subsequent meetings when the divisive issue has surfaced. More than a dozen fluoride opponents spoke out on the matter in January of this year before the council approved a $300,000 contract for the system’s design. Both sides of the fluoride issue cite medical and scientific evidence to support their claims.
While the debate rages on, McCarthy said she will return to the City Council for approval after negotiating a more favorable estimate from a new developer. Construction on the project has been estimated at up to six months. In January, officials projected the system would be up and running by the end of this year.
City utilities manager Gil Borboa has said Santa Monica’s drinking water currently contains.2 to.4 parts per million of fluoride. According to government health officials, the purported dental hygiene benefits are optimal at.8 parts per million.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 23, 2004. Read the original PDF.