With Tuesday’s Santa Monica City Council meeting spilling over into Sept. 11, it was rather timely when council members unanimously voted to accept nearly $100,000 in federal grant money to help local firefighters respond to a potential terrorist attack or natural disaster.
The funds were part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI. Santa Monica has participated in the Initiative since 2009.
DHS will be granting the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) $99,378 to use for personal protective equipment.
According to City staff, UASI’s primary objective is to help urban areas be prepared in responding to possible terror attacks or natural disasters.
“The UASI program focuses on enhancing regional preparedness in major metropolitan areas,” City staff stated. “The UASI program … is intended to assist participating jurisdictions in developing integrated regional systems for prevention, protection, response, and recovery from natural or man-made disasters.”
DHS works directly with both Los Angeles City and County in awarding funding. The City of Los Angeles then allocates funds to Santa Monica.
The council voted on accepting the grant as part of its Sept. 10 consent calendar.
Also on the consent calendar was an expenditure item to award $532,400 to California-based G2K Construction, Inc., to upgrade the public restroom facilities at Hotchkiss and Marine Park.
G2K Construction, which was selected from a pool of nine bidders, would also improve the entry plaza at the park and ensure the public restrooms are compliant with American Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
Construction will begin in October, according to City staff, and continue for 142 days through April 2014.
Council members unanimously approved the construction contract.
Last month, council members awarded G2K Construction more than $711,000 to upgrade public restrooms at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, meaning the tab for both project nears $1.25 million.
The 2400 Ocean Front Walk restroom project will also begin in October but would be complete by Labor Day 2014.
The council also approved a consent calendar item to modernize and bring up to code the Airport Administration building’s fire alarm system. Golden Phoenix Construction Co. was awarded the contract for $182,683.
Meanwhile, the council authorized $455,000 to be awarded to California-based Super Seal and Strip to provide crosswalk-striping services throughout Santa Monica.
Finally, council members approved a purchase of General Electric LED lights from California-based JAM Services, Inc. The LED lights would be used in traffic signals.
The one-year contract is for $60,000 with four one-year renewal options. If all options are renewed, the contract would be worth $300,000 over five years.
