Item 6-N

Council Meeting: 1/28/97                     Santa Monica, CA

TO:       Mayor and City Council

FROM:     City Staff

SUBJECT:  Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to
          Negotiate and Execute a Contract with Sierra Digital,
          Inc. for a Recreation Computer Software System.

INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City
Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Sierra Digital,
Inc. for an automated recreation computer software system.  This
system will replace and expand on the City's current system.

BACKGROUND
The City's current recreation software system is an outdated DOS
program incapable of meeting current needs of the Department of
Community and Cultural Services.  The current vendor is incapable
of providing a fully networked system which is vital to improve
interdivisional communication, enhance customer service and
accurately provide statistical and financial records.  Due to
difficulties with the current vendor's facility reservation
program and its poor record of customer service,  the Department
has researched a range of options for an enhanced system that
can: 1) reserve meeting rooms at 11 buildings, 2 pools, 10 fields
and 31 tennis courts, 2) provide automated reservations for
community classes,  3) offer touch tone registration and payment
by credit card, and 4) generate reports.

DISCUSSION
A technology committee was established consisting of  Department
personnel and two members of the Recreation and Park Commission. 
With assistance from the Information Systems Division, software
systems of four companies were reviewed with two being selected
for further consideration and demonstrations.  Customers were
contacted and surveyed as to their experiences and satisfaction
with each system.  RecWare by Sierra Digital was selected as the
vendor with the system that best fit specifications and
requirements.  

The Department will be purchasing the following modules from
RecWare by Sierra Digital: Activity Registration, Facility
Reservations, League Scheduling and Touch Tone Registration. 
RecWare will deliver and install the software for the system. 
Training of City staff will be provided by RecWare in Santa
Monica.  RecWare will transfer data from our current software
system to their system and assist City staff in the configuration
of the software to meet our registration and reservation
requirements.  The new system will be operational by April, 1997.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of the system is $33,000 which is budgeted at account
#01-400-262-00000-8803-00000.  No additional appropriations are
needed.

RECOMMENDATION
for the purcha It is recommended that Council authorize the City
Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Sierra Digital,
Inc. se of an automated recreation software system for $33,000.

Prepared by:   Barbara Stinchfield, Acting Director
               Kathy Kucharski, Community and Senior Programs
               Manager
               Department of Community and Cultural Services
               Jory Wolf, Manager Information Systems Division