SR-506-003-011 (9)
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5t:J6~tt:J03-c;// OCT 251988
GS:SES:DA:ME (10-17-88) Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: October 25, 1988
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Award a Grant for Debris Removal, Tree
Trimming and Weed Abatement along the Palisades Park
Bluffs to the Los Angeles Conservation corps
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends the City Council award a grant in the amount
of $25,100 to the Los Angeles Conservation Corps for debris
removal, tree trimming, weed abatement, and other related work
along the Palisades Park Bluff.
BACKGROUND
In 1987, funds remaining from the annual weed abatement program
were used for an emergency clean-up of the Palisades bluffs after
several fires were started on the bluffs. The fires were set in
the dense underbrush which had accumulated over time. In addition,
continued surface erosion had resulted in accumulation of dirt and
debris along Pacific Coast Highway which presented a serious
maintenance problem.
During the budget preparation process, staff recommended to City
Council that the clean-up become an annual project. Therefore,
$52,000 was budgeted for bluff clean-up in FY1988-89. Thinning of
trees and removal of dead plant material is necessary to minimize
the fire threat posed in the area. In addition, litter clean-up
along the lower portion of the bluffs and clean-up of the dirt and
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debris on the eastern sidewalk is required to maintain the
aesthetic appearance of the most traveled route in the city.
DISCUSSION
The Los Angel es Conservation corps is a non-profit agency which
trains young people in job skills, education and community service
through projects in public service work in both urban and rural
areas. Recently, the Corps worked on the Water Conservation
program distributing literature and water kits. Their work was
excellent and city staff was highly satisfied.
Based on their performance, staff contacted the Los Angeles
Conservation Corps to explore their interest in undertaking the
Palisades Bluff Clean-up. The Corps was extremely interested in
performing the work for the City and has obtained state grant funds
for up to $17,600 of the cost of the project. As a result, the
City will realize savings of approximately $27,000 over what had
been budgeted for the FY1988-89 public works contract.
The Los Angeles Conservation Corps performs weed abatement and
brush clearance for the County Department of Harbors in the San
Pedro-Wilmington area and has been doing so for the past year. In
addition, the Corps has for the past 2 years worked for the Los
Angeles City Department of Water and Power cleaning brush and weeds
from under transmission lines within a 45 mile radius of downtown
Los Angeles and has cleaned brush and weeds from around the DWP's
various reservoirs.
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BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $25,100 will be required from the City to
fund the grant. The Los Angeles Conservation corps will be
receiving grant funds from the state of California in an amount up
to $17,600. The state grant differs from the City grant as the
state does not reimburse for vehicle costs and for
training/technical services associated with the tree trimming
component of this work. Appropriation authority is available in
Account 01-500-481-000-642.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City council award a grant in the amount
of $25,100 to the Los Angeles Conservation Corps for debris
removal, tree trimming, weed abatement and related work.
Prepared by: stanley E. Scholl, Director of General Services
Desi Alvarez, City Engineer