By Brett Callwood
A number of contracts were approved at the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, December 12, starting with the approval of a Citywide Classification and Total Compensation Study Contract with Gallagher Benefit Services, Incorporated (doing business as Koff & Associates) in the amount of $205,940 and a project total of $236,831.
“In 2019, the City launched a citywide classification study with Koff & Associates, to develop an updated and well-structured classification system that is legally compliant, internally aligned, and reflective of current roles and responsibilities, duties and qualifications,” read the staff note. “The City is once again undertaking this project, as job descriptions serve as an essential tool for the City to effectively manage its workforce. Job descriptions lay the framework for developing effective recruitment and selection procedures, conducting objective performance appraisals, designing training plans and succession planning, and providing employees an understanding of their role within the City.”
Another Administrative Services Item saw the approval of contracts with AT&T Business and AT&T Corp (AT&T Consulting) for the purchase of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services and AT&T Consulting Services for an estimated total of $30,213 for a calendar year starting in January 2024.
On to Community Development, and Item 13A approved minor amendments to Ordinance No. 1851, “which adopted by reference the 2022 Edition of the California Building Standards Code relating to fence permits and rodent-proofing.”
Item 13B was listed as, “Repealing and readopting Chapter 18.43 of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to Density Bonus laws and finding the Ordinance to be exempt pursuant to the common sense exemption of CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).”
“State law includes provisions of law known as the Density Bonus Law (‘DBL’) which provides incentives for developers to provide affordable housing,” read the staff note. “The DBL requires the City to adopt an ordinance regarding implementing this law and to keep the ordinance current.”
The purchase of seven police was approved in the Amount of $367,104 and “Expend Build-Out Costs” in the Amount of $199,127 for a total of $566,231.
“Staff respectfully recommends that the City Council authorize the Police Department to purchase seven new 2024 Dodge Durango Pursuit AWD vehicles from National Auto Fleet Group for a total cost of $367,104 which includes a 10.25% state sales tax and $8.75 tire tax for each vehicle,” read the staff note.
Item 16A saw a construction contract awarded for the Gardena Community Aquatic and Senior Center Project, JN 978, to New Dynasty Construction Company, “in the amount of $16,870,644. Additionally Approve the Project Plans & Specifications, $34,675 Additional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group, $195,340 Additional Services Agreement with Griffin Structures, 10% of Project Contingency, and Budget Appropriation of $6,206,867 from General Fund Reserve.”
A further construction contract was awarded, “for the Storm Drain Debris Screen FY 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 Project, JN 998 and 999, to United Strom Water, Inc. in the amount of $243,793.00. Additionally, Approve the Project Plans & Specifications, $8,784 Construction Support Services Contract with Cannon, 10% of Project Contingency and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.”
City Manager Clint Osorio presented the 2023 audit earlier in the meeting. For the fiscal year 2022-23, the fund had a total revenue of $83,394,557 and expenditure $82,591,493, so a surplus of $803,064.
The full audit is available at cityofgardena.org.
