Sewer project delays will cost city an extra $91,000
(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures which appear on the upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agenda. 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. ) From a new office at the city’s cemetery to an enhanced Web site, the city council is expected to approve about $1 million in expenditures in one vote on Tuesday.
The largest item on the consent agenda is a $602,000 expansion project at the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum office, which city staff suggest is inadequate because it lacks a reception and waiting room, and does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The project includes constructing a new second floor office that will have the needed reception area, waiting room, conference room and ADA compliant restrooms and office. Deteriorated wiring and lighting also will be replaced. The project has been designed to include “Green” building that will have energy efficient lightning, motion sensor switches, and building materials that have been recycled.
Another $90,500 may be approved to pay a web design firm to overhaul the city’s Web site, which has not changed since 1998 and is falling behind the current standards of organization, accessibility and navigation, city staff suggest.
The council could approve a $200,000 contract with a company so the city will comply with Clean Water Act storm water permits from the Environmental Protection Agency. The city apparently needs to install trash receptacles at all public transit stops, as well as perform educational and inspection site visits for commercial establishments and require inspections of the city’s storm drain system.
To meet the new requirements, the city must consolidate all of its current and future urban runoff related programs into one comprehensive plan.
Because a sewer repair project on Appian Way, between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard, has taken longer than expected, the city council is being asked to extend the contract with the construction company for $91,080.
In September of 2001, the council awarded the contract to Tetra Tech Inc. for $573,160 to repair earthquake-damaged sewer mains. The project was supposed to be done by July of 2001, but because of difficulties that arose during construction, the contract time was extended 140 days. The delay will cost $91,080, bringing the total price of the project to $664,240.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 26, 2002. Read the original PDF.