sr-092209-1bCity Council Meeting: September 22, 2009
Agenda Item: ~'g
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Director -Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Santa Monica Bay Educational and Outreach Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a modification to Professional Services Agreement #1514 in the amount of
$50,000 with Heal the Bay to provide educational consulting services for K-12 public
and private schools located in Santa Monica for a one year period beginning July 1,
2009, through June 30, 2010. This will result in a new contract amount of $150,000 for a
five-year total for these services with Heal the Bay of $280,000.
Executive Summary
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. Services include structured field trips to the Santa
Monica Pier Aquarium and sponsorship of Santa Monica's Coastal Cleanup Day and its
associated public outreach. Funds for the current fiscal year are available in the
adopted budget.
Discussion
On February 11, 2003, City Council 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.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
In February 2005, staff solicited Requests for Qualifications (RFQ's) to experienced
organizations to provide educational consulting services, programs, curriculum and
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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 was
qualified to provide a comprehensive and integrated scope of educational and outreach
services to assist the City in reaching numerous SCP goals. On Mav 10, 2005, Council
approved a contract with Heal the Bay to provide educational and outreach services for
K-12 Public and Private Schools Located in Santa Monica. In 2007 and 2008 Council
authorized the City Manager to negotiate additional one year terms to the contract with
Heal the Bay to provide continued education services. A review of the services provided
found that Heal the Bay had adequately developed programs and curriculum that
directly relate to the Sustainable City Plan goals. To provide continuity of services and
to provide staff the opportunity to complete a new competitive process, staff
recommends amending the existing contract for an additional year. Consistent with City
Administrative Policy a new competitive bid process for these education and outreach
services will be completed during FY 2009-10.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds for FY 2009-10 in the amount of $50,000 are available in Account Number
01226.555060.
Prepared by: Dean Kubani, Director -Office of Sustainability and the Environment
roved: Forwarded to Council:
Dean Kubani P~lamont Ewell
Director, Office of Sustainability and the ity Manager
Environment
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Reference Contract No.
9116 (CCS).