SR-400-009
PCD:BAS:TM:F:\BLDGSAF\ADMIN\Vistability\Staff Reportv4.wpd
COUNCIL MEETING: September 25, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Professional Services Contract for the Study of Universal Accessibility
Requirements for Inclusion in the Citys Building Code
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INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
approve a professional services contract with the University of Buffalo Foundation
in an amount not to exceed $75,000, including contingencies, for the study of
universal accessibility requirements for inclusion in the City’s Building Code.
BACKGROUND
On May 20, 1999, a joint session of the Housing Commission and Rent Control
Board passed a unanimous motion to request the City Council to consider building
regulations requiring universal accessibility for persons with disabilities in new
residential and commercial construction. On February 1, 2000, City Council
requested staff to return with recommendations for possible modifications to City
policy. In June 2001, City Council prioritized the project and requested the City
Manager to locate funds for an outside consultant to perform the study and prepare
recommendations.
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Universal accessibility produces dwellings usable by all people, to the greatest
extent possible, without the need for special adaptation. It considers the diversity of
needs based on age, ability, or physical condition during an entire lifetime. One
element of universal accessibility is visitability. Visitability provisions can include
such requirements as a no-step entrance in the front or rear, hallways at least 36
inches wide, accessible routes through the main floor of the dwelling unit, minimum
32-inch wide doorways and electrical and environmental controls set at accessible
heights. These design provisions allow universal access to dwellings and exist in
the municipal codes of Atlanta, Georgia and Austin, Texas for single-family
dwellings built with City funding.
DISCUSSION
Staff sent a request for proposal to 34 firms recommended by organizations
representing the disabled community to prepare and propose provisions for
visitability and universal accessibility for inclusion in the Santa Monica Municipal
Code. Qualifications and proposals were reviewed based on the following:
(1) The training, credentials and experience of the person or firm;
(2) The demonstrated competence, ability, capacity and skill of the person or
firm to perform the contract or provide the services;
(3) The capacity of the person or firm to perform the contract or provide the
service promptly, within the time specified, and without delay;
(4) The sufficiency of the person's or firm's financial and other resources;
(5) The character, integrity, reputation and judgment of the person or firm;
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(6) The ability of the person or firm to provide such future service as may be
needed; and
The price which the person or firm proposes to charge, including whether the
(7)
price is fair, reasonable and competitive.
Based on those criteria, the University of Buffalo Foundation is recommended to
conduct the study.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for these services in the amount of $75,000 are available in account number
01321PY.555060.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services contract for the study of universal accessibility
requirements for possible inclusion in the City’s Building Code with the University of
Buffalo Foundation in an amount not to exceed $75,000, including contingencies.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning & Community Development
Timothy P. McCormick, P.E., Building Officer
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