HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. Nasa Grant Learning Ctr computers
AGENDAMEMO
DATE: July 27, 2010
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
By: Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center
Appropriate $81,000 from NASA Grant and authorize purchase of
improvements for the Resource Computer Lab and
Reservation/Membership Computer System
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council appropriate $81,000 from the NASA Grant and authorize purchase
of improvements for the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center’s
Resource Computer Lab and Reservation/Membership Computer System.
BACKGROUND
The City recently received the third grant for the Columbia Memorial Space Science
Learning Center for multimedia technology enhancements to the Center. The $700,000
grant was supported by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and seeks to expand
and enhance the use of state-of-the-art multimedia technology to better communicate to
visitors of the Center the very dynamic nature of scientific knowledge. Providing the
interactive experience to excite and motivate this future generation is the goal of this
project.
Staff has received quotes to purchase the necessary furnishings and equipment,
computer hardware and software to move forward with two key components to the
multimedia project. The resource computer lab will allow employees, teachers, students,
and other groups to engage in training, curriculum development, and educational
research. The lab will be available to individuals and groups on a walk-in and
reservation basis. Primarily, the lab will be marketed to educators, educational
institutions, and local groups involved in Downey and aerospace history. Secondarily,
the lab will also be rented to local employers such as Kaiser and Los Angeles County
for employee training and workshops.
The second project included in this report involves the implementation of a reservation
and membership system to efficiently schedule and track individual and group activities
at the Center. Efficiently managing the resources at the Center and ensuring proper
staffing, both paid and volunteer, of the programs and events requires a sophisticated
program with the ability to issue membership cards and detailed invoices and
scheduling reports. The proposed system will meet both the short and long terms needs
of the Center with regards to managing exhibits, programs, and visitors.
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
Attached are the quotes related to the proposed purchases and include:
(1) Instructor / Facilitator Computer $1,519
(14) Workstation Computers $15,880
(15) N Dual Band Access Adapter $1,301
(15) Office Professional Software $7,186
Computer Lab Tables, Chairs, Presentation Stand
Computer Related Equipment $9,344
Scheduling and Membership System $35,199
15% Contingency $10,565
$80,994
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the project will be paid from the NASA Grant awarded to the City for this
project.