The bill to build the Pico Branch Library is nearing $1 million after the Santa Monica City Council approved Dec. 10 a seventh contract modification.
Koning Eizenberg Architects will receive an additional $28,215 – including a 10 percent contingency – to “provide additional construction administration and design services to complete the Pico Branch Library Project.”
The contract modification brings the total cost of building the Pico Branch Library to $996,153; Koning Eizenberg’s contract with the City expires June 30, 2014.
City Hall expects construction to be complete in early 2014.
Council members originally approved a professional services contract with Koning Eizenberg in February 2010. The firm agreed to provide design services for the fifth addition to the Santa Monica Public Library System for $882,590.
Construction began in Aug. 2012.
Pico Branch Library would be the fifth member of the Santa Monica Public Library system. Other branches already operational include Main Library (downtown), Ocean Park Branch, Fairview Branch, and Montana Avenue Branch.
Council members unanimously approved the contract modification as part of the Dec. 10 consent calendar.
Meanwhile, Council members also approved a $25,000 matching grant request from the Samohi Orchestral Parents Association.
The matching funds, granted from the council’s discretionary funds, would help provide scholarships to local orchestra students to participate in the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra European performance and cultural tour in April 2014. Stops include Vienna, Prague, and Baden-Baden.
According to a letter submitted to council members by Samohi orchestra directors Joni Swenson and Jason Aiello, the total cost of the tour is $388,000, or $3,805 per student.
About $363,000 has already been raised, according to Aiello and Swenson, which is $25,000 short of the budget goal – hence the request to council members.
“Sponsorship funds will be used for financial aid for qualified students, chaperone costs, and instrument rentals. While student participation in the tour is voluntary, maximum participation is critical in order to represent the high quality of the Santa Monica music program,” Aiello’s and Swenson’s letter stated.
Nancy Cohen, treasurer of the Samohi Orchestral Parents Association, told the council 27 of the 87 parents who would send their respective children on the European tour requested partial or full scholarships.
