Item 6-K
Council Meeting: 3/24/98 Santa Monica, CA
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to
Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with the Bay Area
Green Team Project to Develop and Implement a
Residential Environmental Outreach Program as Part of
the Sustainable City Program.
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that City Council authorize the City Manager
to negotiate and execute an agreement with the non-profit Bay
Area Green Team Project to develop and implement a residential
environmental outreach program which will last approximately 19
months. The program will raise public awareness and increase
participation in the Sustainable City Program (SCP).
BACKGROUND
In September 1994, Council formally adopted the Santa Monica
Sustainable City Program (SCP). The SCP was developed by the
City's Task Force on the Environment as a way to comprehensively
address environmental, economic and social concerns within the
City. In December 1996 the Task Force published the Sustainable
City Progress Report which assesses the City's progress in
implementing the SCP. The Task Force and City Staff determined
that resident involvement is critical to meeting the SCP goals.
DISCUSSION
In the fall of 1997 City staff solicited proposals from two non-
profit organizations, the Bay Area Green Team Project (BAGTP) and
Global Action Plan, to develop and implement a residential
neighborhood outreach program in Santa Monica. It was determined
that BAGTP provided the best presentation and approach for the
project. The staff recommendation was discussed with the Task
Force on the Environment, who concurred with the selection.
BAGTP is able to customize their program specifically to
incorporate Santa Monica's Sustainable City goals. The program
materials will include information about local resources and are
designed to encourage long-term commitment and positive
environmental actions among participants.
The BAGTP is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization whose
primary goal is to educate and support California residents to
live more sustainable lifestyles. BAGTP does this through the
formation of neighborhood-based Green Teams. Green Teams are
groups of six to eight neighbors who meet regularly over a three-
month period to learn how to implement residential conservation
methods with the help of a guidebook and team coach. The
guidebook offers information and recommends action steps for each
of six topical areas: solid waste, chemicals, energy,
transportation, water and community action. Accomplishments made
by each team member over the course of the program are collected
and quantified at the end of the three-month session. Based on
results from Green Team Projects currently being implemented by
BAGTP in San Francisco and Santa, participants typically save
between $60 and $290 in personal expenditure annually, reduce
household energy use by 25%, reduce water use by 30%, reduce
solid waste generation by 30%, and eliminate over one ton of air
pollution per year as a result of the program. Undertaking a
similar program in Santa Monica will directly help the City meet
the goals of the SCP by reducing residential energy use, water
use, hazardous materials use, as well as the generation of solid
waste, greenhouse gases and other pollutants. The program will
also help to increase community awareness and participation in
the SCP and improve the quality of life in Santa Monica's
neighborhoods.
The scope of work will be performed over a 19-month period
overlapping three fiscal years. Phase 1 will take place from
April 1998 through June 1998. Phase 2 will take place from July
1998 through October 1999. BAGTP will:
1. Produce a Green Team Guidebook, informational binder and
supplementary materials specifically for use in Santa
Monica.
2. Design program delivery specifically for Santa Monica.
3. Recruit and hire staff to implement the program in Santa
Monica (they will be employees of BAGTP).
4. Implement and train volunteer coaches and staff.
5. Assist in publicizing the program and recruiting
participants.
6. Oversee program administration and organization, and provide
ongoing supervision and evaluation of program staff.
7. Collect data and prepare progress reports on Green Team
accomplishments.
Tasks 1 and 2 will comprise Phase 1, which will be completed in
three months. Phase 2, tasks 3 through 7, will take place over
an additional 16 month period and will involve the formation of
25 to 40 Green Teams with between 150 and 240 total participants.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for the entire 19-month scope of work will be $145,000.
Funds for Phase 1 of the project, in the amount of $30,000, are
available in existing Environmental Programs Division account
numbers 31-500-662-00000-5506-00000 ($15,000) and 31-500-662-
00000-4429-00000 ($15,000). Funds for Phase 2 of the project, in
the amount of $115,000, will be budgeted in the same line item in
the FY1998-99 budget. The contract will condition continuation
of work upon City Council approval of the budget request for FY
1998-99.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute an Agreement with the Bay Area Green Team
Project to develop and implement a residential environmental
outreach program as part of the Sustainable City Program in an
amount not to exceed $145,000.