1975 reappropriation (Alterations and additions to traffic signals required for proper coordination of traffic control)

Replacement of sections of sidewalks, Northwest Drive, First
Street Northwest, and Northeast Drive: nonrecurring item
allowed for 1975, not required for 1976.

Replacement of 2 tractor mowers:
for 1975, not required for 1976.

nonrecurring item allowed

Alterations and additions to traffic signals, Capitol
Grounds and adjacent areas, required for proper
coordination of traffic control, conforming to similar
installations being made by the District Government for
other areas in the District of Columbia:
reappropriation, not required for 1976..

Base for 1976.

nonrecurring

250,000

(-)

305,500

Additions

MANDATORY ITEMS

wage-Rate Increases

Authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5344, 5349:

Increase, determined as a result of surveys resulting
in new wage rates effective May 12, 1974, and of
surveys commenced on August 20, 1974, resulting in
new wage rates effective October 27, 1974, under the
Federal Wage System, affecting 75 Wage-Board employees
carried under this appropriation, paid at new May 1974
rates for full fiscal year 1975 and at new October
1974 rates for 8 months in fiscal year 1975 and
required to be paid at such rates for 12 months in
fiscal year 1976. Full Year base pay cost of May 1974
increase, $74,100, and of October 1974 increase,

$52,400 a total cost of $126,500, less amount of
$101,500 requested as a 1975 Pay Supplemental to cover
costs in fiscal year 1975 -- Additional amount required
for fiscal year 1976.....

within-grade promotions authorized under the Prevailing Rate System for Wage-Board employees compensated under such system....

thin-grade salary advancements and other changes
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5331-5336 for "GS" employees
compensated under "General Schedule" Pay Rates
(Classification Act).....

ncreased Civilian Pay Act Costs.....

This increase results from new pay rates established for
"GS" employees by Executive Order 11811, effective the
first pay period in October 1974, issued under authority
of subchapter I of chapter 53 of title 5 of the U.S. Code,
affecting such employees. Full Year Cost, $3,500, less
$2,400 absorbed through turnover savings, or an additional
amount of $1,100 required for 1976.

Regular Pay above 52-week Base allotment increased from $2,000
to $4,000 to cover two additional days instead of the usual
one additional day above the 52-weeks Base (normal year 260
days based on 52 weeks x 5 days per week) - next year being

$ 25,000

15,500

1,700

1,100

leap year......

2,000

Overtime and Holiday Pay (5 U.S.C. 5544) increased from $115,300 to $120,300, resulting from base pay changes authorized by

law....

5,000

Payment to Life Insurance Fund increased from $2,500 to $4,000...
This payment is required by 5 U.S.c. 8708. The additional
amount requested for 1976 is to cover current costs.

1,500

Payment to Employees' Health Benefits Fund increased from $14,850 to $23,350, authorized by 5 U.S.C. 8906.....

8,500

This increase is requested to adjust the allotment to actual
Current cost of this item and to meet an increase in the

government's contribution to this fund from 50% to 60% effective January 1975, as required by Public Law 93-246 (88 Stat. 3-4).

Contribution to Retirement Fund increased from $68,650 to $72,250....

This increase, covering government contribution to this fund, required by 5 U.S.C. 8334, results from increased base pay rates.

Total Increase MANDATORY ITEMS.....

3,600

$ 63,900

........

$ 4,000

General Annual Repairs increased from $16,950 to $20,950......
An increase of $4,000 is requested for 1976 to meet
a continued rise in cost of work performed under this
allotment, due to cost escalation. For 1974, necessary
expenditures totaled $16,950. For the first half of
the fiscal year 1975, expenditures have totaled $14,000
out of the current allotment of $16,950. The increase
requested for 1976 will help offset the higher current
costs.

This allotment provides for pointing of retaining walls and steps; repairs to catch basins, manhole frames and covers; repairs and maintenance of underground sprinkler systems, drain lines and sewers; repair of fountains and fountain pools, general miscellaneous repairs in and around the grounds; repairs and upkeep of motor and other grounds equipment. It may be noted that there are over 7,500 sprinkler heads to be maintained under this allotment.

Snow Removal increased from $5,000 to $10,000.....

An increase of $5,000 is requested for 1976 to meet a continued rise in cost of labor, rental of equipment, and other items procured by contract, annually, for snow removal. Normally, the Capitol Grounds maintenance force, using its own equipment, takes care of a large part of the work of snow removal, but when heavy snow falls occur, it is necessary to use, in addition thereto, services and equipment provided under contract.

The increase is also required to provide for the additional work of snow removal from the streets and sidewalks added to the Capitol Grounds by Section 739 of Public Law 93-198 creating a "National Capital Service Area" within the District of Columbia.

Maintenance of signal lights increased from $3,400 to $6,500......

This increase is required in order to provide for

maintenance of 68 additional traffic signals, mounted
on standards, in areas added to the Capitol Grounds
by Section 739 of Public Law 93-198, creating a
"National Capital Service Area" within the District
of Columbia.

5,000

3,100

The 1975 appropriation was based on maintenance of 180 traffic signals, mounted on 95 standards. The 1976 estimate is based on maintenance of 248 traffic signals, mounted on 125 standards, all of which are now owned by the Federal Government.

Maintenance of these signal lights is performed by the Potomac Electric Power Company at rates determined by the Public Utilities Commission. The cost of electrical energy purchased from PEPCO for operation of the signal lights is not charged against this allotment. Such cost is charged against the

Capitol Power Plant appropriation.

Costs incurred under the Capitol Grounds allotment cover the expense of servicing and replacement of lights and standards.

Repairs to streets, sidewalks, curbing and other paved areas increased from $12,000 to $17,000.........

This increase is required in order to provide for

the maintenance and repair of additional streets,

sidewalks, and curbing added to the Capitol Grounds by Section 739 of Public Law 93-198 creating a "National Capital Service Area" within the District of Columbia; also to meet current cost escalation.

5,000

Streets, sidewalks, curbing, and other paved areas must be kept in proper repair in the interest of the public safety; to avoid Federal Tort claims.

Maintenance of Taft Memorial increased from $400 to $1,000.....

600

An increase of $600 is requested under this allotment
to meet rising costs and to provide for adequate
maintenance of this memorial, erected under authority
of Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, 84th Congress, and
completed and accepted by Congress in 1959. Under the
provisions of Section 4 of Senate Concurrent Resolution
44, the Architect of the Capitol is responsible for
maintenance of this memorial. The amount necessary to
expend in 1974 was actually $1,442. With the exception
of the fiscal years 1971 and 1972 when nonrecurring
allotments for improvements were provided, the annual
allotment for maintenance has remained unchanged at
$400 for the past 15 years.

Supplies and Materials increased from $26,500 to $35,500....
An increase of $9,000 is requested under this allot-
ment to meet rising costs. Only one increase has been
provided under this allotment since 1968. Required
expenditures for 1974 totaled $30,290. For the first
half of fiscal year 1975 it has been necessary to
obligate $24,660 under this allotment due to continued
rise in costs. There has been a marked increase
particularly in the items of gasoline procured for
operation of the Capitol Grounds motorized equipment,
fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides.

9,000

$ 26,700

Improvements, parking lot, adjacent to House Annex...

The Act authorizing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to construct an underground transit system contains the following provision with respect to the Capitol Grounds:

"No portion of the Adopted Regional System shall be constructed within the United States Capitol Grounds except upon approval of the Commission for Extension of the United States Capitol".

Plans submitted to, considered, and approved by the Commission, granted authority to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to construct a METRO station in an area of the Capitol Grounds at the northeast corner of Square 692, containing the parking lot adjacent to the House Annex (formerly known as the "Congressional Hotel").

The plans, as approved, provide for the construction of a vent shaft at the corner of First and D Streets S.E., below grade with a grating above at ground level; construction of the rapid transit station under D Street S.E., below grade, with an entrance and exit containing escalators extending from the station to the surface of Square 692, at a point approximately midway between C and D Streets, S.E., on First Street S.E.; also, construction and installation of an elevator designed to serve the physically handicapped, extending from the rapid transit station to the sidewalk level, enclosed in a structure authorized to be erected at the corner of First and D Streets S.E., in Square 692, such enclosure consisting of a structure, approximately 11 feet high, 11 feet wide, and 9 feet in depth, with a ventilation grading on the D Street sidewalk of this Square, Occupying 48 square feet.

The METRO construction work is expected to be completed in this area of the Capitol Grounds by the end of this fiscal year.

Construction of the METRO station and other facilities in this area make it highly desirable to grade and pave 5,500 square yards of the ground in the adjacent area of this square retained for Capitol Grounds parking, in order to properly coordinate and segregate the METRO transit area and the Capitol Grounds parking area in Square 692 and to improve the appearance of the parking area in view of its proximity to the entrance to and exit from the METRO station; also the installation of concrete bumpers and improved lighting.

In order to effect these improvements, $94,500 is requested for 1976. The estimate is based on grading and installing a 2-inch bituminous concrete surface over 6-inch gravel base, covering 5,500 square yards, including concrete bumpers, at a cost of fifteen dollars

$ 94,51