SR-510-008 (2)
EPWM:CP:SM:GR\EPD\RESOURCECENTER.DOC
Council Meeting: January 13, 2004 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Agreement with Global Green USA for Establishment of a Green
Building Resource Center in Santa Monica
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute an agreement with Global Green USA for the
establishment of a Santa Monica Green Building Resource Center for the
purpose of developing, educating, and supporting a vibrant green building
community in Santa Monica that will assist in achieving the goals and targets of
the adopted Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan.
BACKGROUND
In 2000, the City launched the Green Building Program that promotes resource
efficient and healthy building practices in Santa Monica. While the City has
successfully incorporated green building practices into its own projects, the public
remains largely unaware of available off-the-shelf technologies and opportunities
that can be used in their own construction or renovation projects. Over the past
two years, City staff has explored various strategies and approaches to increase
the level of awareness for green building principles among designers, builders
and the general public. One of the most promising strategies identified is the
establishment of a public storefront Green Building Resource Center. In order to
maximize the impact of the City?s limited staff and financial resources,
discussions have been held with appropriate non-profit organizations in the
community such as Santa Monica College, the Natural Resources Defense
Council and Global Green to determine their interest in partnering with the City in
the operation of a Resource Center. Through this process, it was determined that
Global Green is the only entity in the community that has the level of interest,
physical space, staff expertise and financial commitment necessary to partner
successfully with the City on the project.
Global Green USA, the American affiliate of Green Cross International, is a non-
profit environmental organization headquartered in Santa Monica that is focused
on promoting green building design and construction to achieve increased
community sustainability. The City has partnered with Global Green in the past
on a number of green building projects, including the development of
recommended green building practices for City-subsidized affordable housing
projects and a green materials resource guide.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Green Building Resource Center (GBRC) will be a joint effort by
the City and Global Green USA to provide residents, property owners, builders
and architects with a place where they can conduct research on incorporating
green building features into their projects; view green building materials first
hand; attend green building events; and, ask pertinent questions related to green
building approaches. Currently, anyone interested in incorporating green
building features into a project would more than likely have to scour several
websites and libraries, purchase books and software, and order samples from
many different manufacturing sources in order to make informed decisions about
green construction. Users of the GBRC will find those books, magazines,
computer-based applications, training materials, and online subscription-based
resources in addition to samples, displays, and information about quality green
building materials in one easy to access place. Monthly events will bring together
green building experts with interested members of the public. The GBRC is
envisioned as a focal point for the green building community in Santa Monica.
Global Green is uniquely qualified to work with the City on the proposed GBRC
based on their previous work for the City on ?greening? affordable housing
projects and on their extensive experience working with other cities and State
agencies on implementing effective green building programs and policies. Global
Green USA?s new offices will be located at 2218 Main Street and the proposed
GBRC will be housed in a 500 square foot ground floor space with street visibility
and access. A second floor conference room will serve as the site for monthly
presentations, trainings, and workshops on a range of green building topics that
will be coordinated by City and Global Green staff. These events will occur in the
evenings or on weekends and will accommodate up to 75 participants. Under
the terms of the proposed one-year Agreement, the GBRC will be managed and
maintained by Global Green USA. The facility will be staffed by Global Green and
open to the public 5 hours a day, 4 days a week and by special appointment.
The annual operating budget for the GBRC will be $39,598. The City will have
the option to extend the agreement for up to an additional five years subject to a
percentage increased based on the Consumer Price Index. One-time set-up
costs for the GBRC total an additional $13,936. The first year?s cost for
establishment and operation of the GBRC, therefore, totals $53,534.
Prior to the estimated opening date of the GBRC in March 2004, Global Green
will obtain samples of a broad range of green building materials, select and
purchase books and publications, purchase and install shelving and furniture,
develop the material sample and publication displays, work with a graphic
designer to develop a logo and letterhead for the GBRC, and develop a GBRC
web site. Global Green will also start developing a database of individuals and
organizations interested in visiting or attending events at the GBRC. Global
Green will be responsible for conducting four workshops (?Green Building 101?
and ?Introduction to Green Building Materials? each to be held twice a year) out
of the total twelve monthly workshops. City staff and green building
professionals will provide the content for eight additional workshops. Global
Green will coordinate with the City to establish the calendar and topics for the
workshops. A Global Green staff member will be on-site to manage set up, event
logistics, and clean up for all 12 workshops.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for the first year set-up and operation of the GBRC is $53,534 ($13,936
for initial set-up costs and $39,598 for annual operating costs). Funds for the
project are available in the Wastewater Fund, Account Number 31662.555060.
Future costs would continue to be funded by the Wastewater Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
This report recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute an Agreement with Global Green USA in a first year
amount of $53,534 with an option to extend for up to an additional five years in
the amount of $39,598 subject to annual CPI adjustments for the establishment
of a Green Building Resource Center designed to create and support an active
green building community in Santa Monica.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Program Administrator