ITEM 10-A

Council Meeting:  April 14, 1992         Santa Monica, California

TO:       Mayor and City Council

FROM:     City Staff

SUBJECT:  Recommendation to Hold a Public Hearing on the
          Intention to Abate Weeds and Rubbish and to Award
          an Abatement Contract

Introduction

This report requests that the City Council hold a public hearing
regarding the City's intent to abate weeds and rubbish and award
a contract for weed and/or rubbish abatement to Gary's Lot
Cleaning in the amount of $39,700.

Background

On February 11, 1992, the City Council adopted Resolution No.
8356 (CCS) which declared weeds and rubbish accumulating on
certain lots within the City a public nuisance, identified lots
to be included in this year's weed and rubbish abatement program,
and set a public hearing for April 14, 1992, at which time
protests regarding the planned program would be heard.  The list
of privately-owned lots requiring clearing is attached.  This
list of lots were posted by City staff for weed and/or rubbish
abatement following the February 11, 1992 Council meeting.
Eighteen City-owned lots also are scheduled for weed and/or
rubbish abatement.

The City's annual weed abatement program is operated in
accordance with the California Government Code Chapter 13,
Sections 29500 to 39588, Title 4.  The abatement contract will
cover costs of cleaning those lots not cleaned by property owners
following posting.  An administrative charge of 12%, which covers
inspection, supply, and clerical time costs, is included in the
private property charges.  Private property owners reimburse the
City for both contractual and administrative program costs
incurred on their property through assessments.

A Notice Inviting Bids was published January 30, 31, and February
1 and 3, 1992, in the Evening Outlook.  Bid specifications were
prepared and mailed to four contractors.  In addition, a Notice
Inviting Bids was mailed to fourteen WMBE women/minority
contractors.  Two bids were received and opened publicly on March
4, 1992, at 3:00 p.m. by the City Clerk.  The bids were as
follows:

       Travers Tree Service              $54,800

       Gary's Lot Cleaning.              $39,700

It is recommended that the contract  be  awarded  to  Gary's  Lot
Cleaning.   This  contractor satisfactorily completed last year's
abatement program as well as several  special  projects  for  the
City.  The contractor also qualifies as a women/minority business
enterprise.

Budget/Financial Impact

                 Funds Required

                 Contract        $ 39,700
                 Contingencies      3,970
                 Total required  $ 43,670

Appropriated   funds   are   available    in    account    number
01-500-421-00000-6642-00000, which has a balance of $70,061.11.
Factors such as the amount of rain and  the  number  of  property
owners cleaning their own lots of weeds and debris may affect the
amount of contractual work completed.

Revenues will be  received  in  FY1992-93;  assessments  will  be
included on the December 1992 and April 1993 tax bills.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the City Council:

    1.  Open the public hearing;
    2.  Close the public hearing;
    3.  Acknowledge protests and award the weed and rubbish
        abatement contract to Gary's Lot Cleaning in the amount
        of $39,700;
    4.  Authorize the Maintenance Manager to negotiate and
        in accordance with the City's Administrative
        Instructions.

Prepared by:  Stan Scholl, Director of General Services
              James Buell, Maintenance Manager
              Richard Valeriano, Street Inspector

Attachment:  List of Subject Properties