From: Jacob Patterson
To: City Clerk
Cc: Whippy, Isaac
Subject: Public Comment -- 6/24/24 CC Mtg., Item No. 5F Date: Monday, June 24, 2024 10:27:25 AM
City Council & Manager,
I am not sure why this item is on the consent calendar instead of a conduct of business item.
As such, it doesn't have a staff report explaining why the recommended contractor was selected compared to the other respondents. In fact, they are a firm that is further away than many of the firms listed resulting in additional travel expenses we will have to pay and their prices are higher than other firms as well. What was the criteria? It should be noted that the firms selected for the current pavement project (recommended by the same PW staff) clearly fell short, which suggests staff isn't reliable or good at selecting contractors. In the least, the reasoning for this recommendation should have been explained. I think the City Council is negligent in not vetting staff work more thoroughly and disastrous projects like the current paving project--the responsibility of the same staff--are one of the many reasons why you are highly unlikely to get voters to approve any tax increases. Many of us feel burned by our past votes approving taxes when our funds are apparently poorly-managed.
I recommend pulling this item for discussion and explanation. --Jacob