SR-505-004-01
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GS:CP:conference
Council Meeting: September 26, 1989
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Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City staff
Subject: Recommendation to Sponsor a Conference on storm Drain
Pollution and Allocate Necessary Supporting Funds
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City council approve city
sponsorship of a one and one-half day conference on the storm drain
problem to be held in Santa Monica on March 29 and 30, 1990. It is
also recommended that sufficient funds be allocated to pay for
Santa Monica's anticipated share of the conference costs as well
as provide sufficient up-front budget resources to ensure that
conference planning can proceed expeditiously until such time that
the financial support from the other invited sponsors/co-sponsors
is received.
BACKGROUND
On June 27, 1989, Mayor Zane presented a proposal to the City
Council regarding the convening of a regional conference about
storm drain pollution and its contribution to the degradation of
santa Monica Bay. The concept which was presented envisioned an
event that would bring together, in particular, pUblic officials
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from communities bordering on Santa Monica Bay so that Santa Monica
could share its experience with and perspective on the problem and
learn from the experiences/successes of other communities. various
experts from around the country would also be invited to share with
the participants any programs or solutions which they might be able
to offer. The goal of the conference would be to both raise
consciousness with respect to the seriousness of storm drain
pollution and identify specific actions which could be taken by
cities, either individually or in a regional consortium, to solve
the storm drain pollution problem.
During the past two months, a committee comprised of Mayor Zane,
City staff, representatives from Heal the Bay and a representative
from Assembly Member Tom Hayden's office have met several times to
discuss the conference concept and reach decisions as to the
specific form such a conference should take. The numerous
logistical complexities which would need to be overcome have also
been reviewed by the committee. A summary of the specific issues
which have been discussed thus far is presented below.
DISCUSSION
The present planning for the conference agenda includes the
following five discussion panels which will include the
participation of various public officials and storm drain pollution
experts:
1. An overview of the storm drain problem covering public
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health concerns, effects of storm drain runoff on the Bay,
current governmental mitigation efforts, and other issues.
2. Discussion of the various "structural solutions" which are
available to curb storm drain pollution, including detention
basins, landscaped strips, oil-water separators, porous
pavement, treatment plants and wetlands
development/preservation.
3. nNon-structuralll solutions to the problem through public
education, street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, enforcement
of anti-dumping ordinances, hazardous waste control and waste
recycling programs.
4. The current status of the regulatory environment at the
federal, state and local level and the role of these agencies
in promoting change.
5. Overcoming political and institutional barriers to change
through the adoption of practical cost-effective solutions,
and promotion of inter-jurisdictional cooperation.
conceptual work has also begun on the production of a video
presentation which will premiere during the conference.
At present, the sponsors of the proposed conference consist of the
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city of Santa Monica joined by Heal the Bay and Assembly Member
Hayden. Mayor Bradley of Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Project have also been invited to become conference
sponsors. In addition to these five sponsors, various public
agencies, private organizations and foundations will be invited to
become co-sponsors of the program. Each of the sponsors will be
expected to contribute either financial or logistical support for
the conference. Selected co-sponsors will also be asked to
contribute towards the proposed conference budget.
Given the technical and logistical complexities of organizing a
high-visibility public event, it is recommended that a professional
conference facilitator be retained to oversee planning and
implementation of the storm drain conference. staff has prepared
a Request for Qualifications which will be distributed within the
next week to approximately eight qualified firms and individuals.
It is expected that the facilitator would be required to devote
approximately eight to ten weeks of full-time effort between now
and March 29, 1990.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The approximate budget for the proposed conference is estimated at
$50,000. The final budget will of course depend on several cost
factors which are contingent on the final conference agenda, number
of participants and level, if any, of fees charged for conference
attendance. Santa Monica's share of these costs is not expected to
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exceed $20,000. The balance of the conference budget and costs for
production of the video will be solicited from the other sponsors
and co-sponsors. However, given the need to ensure timely
conference planning actions it is recommended that the city Council
allocate $40,000 at this time so that timely progress can be
ensured. The $40,000 allocation will allow the reserving of
conference facilities, the hiring of a facilitator and the
design/printing of advertising and promotional materials. since no
funds are currently budgeted for this purpose, it is recommended
that Council allocate the requested funds from the Non-Departmental
city Council contingency account number 01-700-274-00000-7785-
00000.
All contributions from co-sponsors will be deposited at
revenue account number 01-130-224-00000-0417-10000.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Council approve ci ty sponsorship of a
conference on storm drain pollution and allocate $40,000 from
account 01-700-274-00000-7785-00000 to facilitate conference
planning activities.
Prepared by:
stan Scholl, Director of General Services
Craig perkins, Administrative Services Manager
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