SR-510-002 (10)
EPWM:CP:BJ:SN:AB Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: May 10, 2005
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract
with Heal the Bay to Provide Educational and Outreach Services for
K-12 Public and Private Schools Located in Santa Monica
Introduction
This report recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract with Heal the Bay to provide educational
consulting services for K-12 public and private schools located in Santa Monica
for a two year period beginning July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2006, with an
option to renew for a third year. This staff report also provides information
regarding additional environmental public outreach and educational programs
sponsored by the City.
Background
On February 11, 2003, City Council unanimously adopted the Santa Monica
Sustainable City Plan (SCP). Public outreach and education play a critical role in
the mission and goals of the SCP. The provision of quality environmentally-
focused programs and curriculum to school-aged children is an important step in
achieving a more sustainable community and a better quality of life for years to
come.
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For several years, the City has offered educational programs to K-12 schools
designed to raise awareness of our coastal geography, ocean environment
(particularly the Santa Monica Bay), and to teach science, conservation, pollution
prevention and personal responsibility through stewardship.
The City has also participated in public events, such as festivals and Coastal
Cleanup Days, which focus on education and pollution prevention to protect and
enhance water quality. These volunteer-based programs encourage community
involvement in protecting our beaches, ocean and human health.
Discussion
In order to implement outreach and education activities consistent with the SCP
goals, staff solicited Requests for Qualifications (RFQ?s) to experienced
organizations to provide educational consulting services, programs, curriculum
and events with emphasis on marine science and environmental education. In
response, eight Statements of Qualifications were received.
Staff?s review of the Statements of Qualification concluded that Heal the Bay is
qualified to provide a comprehensive and integrated scope of educational and
outreach services to assist the City in reaching numerous SCP goals. These
services include an in-class curriculum for elementary students entitled Key to
the Sea, as well as structured field trips to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. In
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addition, the scope of services includes sponsorship of Santa Monica?s Coastal
Cleanup Day and its associated public outreach.
Therefore, staff is recommending execution of a two year contract with Heal the
Bay in the amounts of $50,000 for fiscal year 2004/05 and $40,000 for fiscal year
2005/06, with an option to renew for $40,000 for fiscal year 2006/07.
Staff also engages other organizations with demonstrated qualifications in
specialized ocean-related educational areas. Although the costs for the
recommended scopes of service for these organizations do not exceed the
threshold requiring City Council authorization, this information is provided to
allow a full understanding of the education and outreach activities being offered.
These include:
?
Earth Day L.A. for a major public event on the Promenade on Earth Day
($3,000)
?
Whale Rescue Team for in-class marine mammal science curriculum
($5,000)
?
Windows On Our Waters for non-point source urban runoff outreach to
elementary schools ($1,100)
?
Santa Monica BayKeeper for ocean kelp forest related curriculum for
elementary and middle school students in public and private schools
($3,000)
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?
Will and Company for performance art projects in public and private
elementary schools focusing on household hazardous waste ($7,500)
?
Mary Edie Consulting for high school environmental research and
information exchange services between students and a teacher training
program ($15,500).
Budget/Financial Impact
Funds for the Heal the Bay contract and other educational programs are
available in account number 31662.555060 for FY2004/05. Funding for future
year contracts will be requested in each fiscal year's proposed budget and will be
subject to Council approval.
Recommendation
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a two year contract with Heal the Bay with an option to
renew for a third year in the amounts of $50,000 for FY04/05, $40,000 for
FY05/06 and $40,000 for FY06/07.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Brian Johnson, Environmental Programs Manager
Sharon Norwood, Environmental Programs Technician
Andrew Basmajian, Environmental Outreach Specialist
Reference Contract No. 8469 (CCS)
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