SR-02-28-1978-7AME
FEB 2 8 1978
Santa Monica, California, February 16, 1978
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the Intention to Abate Weeds and
Award of Contract
Introduction
This report presents results of work done in accordance with Resolution of
Intention No. 4963 adopted January 10, 1978. This resolution declared
certain weeds growing upon certain properties within the City of Santa
Monica to be a public nuisance.
Background
The weed abatement program consists of noticing all lots which have weeds
and /or debris on them. After public hearing and ordering of work by Council,
each property owner has 30 days to clean their lot if they wish to do the
work themselves. Most property owners do not choose to clean their own lot.
The City contractor and City forces then clean all lots which have not been
cleaned by the owner. All City owned lots are cleaned also. In the past,
most privately owned lots have been disced as opposed to mowed in order to
reduce the costs assessed to the property owners. If the lots are mowed, it
requires twice or more mowings per year. The Contractor's unit bid for
mowing is approximately nine times the unit price for discing.
The Staff has received requests from some Councilmembers and citizens to
preserve the "green areas" by mowing many of the lots instead of discing them.
7
FEB 2 8 1978
To: Mayor and City Council -2- February 16, 1978
If this is done, the cost assessed to a typical 50' x 150' lot would be
$450.00 instead of $52.50 (two mowings versus two discings). Most City
owned lots are presently mowed.
On January 23, 24, and 25, 1978, each parcel described in the Resolution of
Intention was posted announcing the date, place, and hour of the public
hearing. A notice inviting bids was published in the "Evening Outlook"
on January 24 and 25, 1978. Bid proposals were prepared and mailed to
seven various contractors on January 24, 1978. The final date for the sub-
mittal of sealed bids was February 14, 1978 at 2:30 p.m. Two sealed bids
were received by the City Clerk and opened publicly on February 14, 1978,
at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The bids were then tabulated by the
City Engineer's office and the lowest responsible bidder selected for
recommendation. There are unit prices bid for mowing, discing, hand work,
and parkway mowing. Funds in the amount of $18,000 are available in account
No. 01- 500 - 421 - 000 -642 and 643, "Weed Cleaning Abatement."
Alternative Solutions
Lots may be mowed instead of disced as previously described. If the Council
elects to mow all lots, these bids should be rejected and staff should be
instructed to readvertise the job based on the new concept.
Recommendation
That, after consideration of objections, the City Council, by motion, orders
the Maintenance Manager to abate the weeds in the most economical manner.
That the Council, by motion, award the contract to Elco Corporation, who
submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $17,700.
Prepared by: Efren A. Diaz, Maintenance Manager
Stan Scholl, Director of General Services