by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
City Council member Art Shad said Monday that it might be time for the City to reexamine the process by which it awards various public works contracts.
“During my time on the Council, I’ve noticed that in most, if not all, cases we’re basically just giving the work to the lowest, rock bottom bidder,” said Shad. “The problem in simply doing it that way is that we might not even know if they are capable of doing the work we’re hiring them to do.”
Shad said other important and somewhat obvious factors should be considered before any agreement is struck.
“If I were to have some work done on my own home, I wouldn’t necessarily hire the guy who could do it for the least amount of money. Who would?” he said. “I would do my homework, ask questions and hire someone who was qualified and also fairly priced.”
But with City projects, Shad said getting that kind of information isn’t really an option.
“We don’t have the ability to do that because there’s a lack of communication among everyone who’s involved in these projects. Who knows how good these guys are?” he said. “I’ve never gotten one phone call from a contractor or anyone else to let me know what’s going on.
“So when my constituents call, they’re asking questions I honestly can’t answer.”
Shad’s stance on this issue comes just days after outraged constituents in his district blocked a City contractor from cutting down a tree in Landon Park.
Shad acknowledged that the proper steps had been taken to uproot the tree but that he had no idea that it was going to happen.
“It’s things like that but, to be honest, I can’t just single out that one contractor because it happens all over the city,” he said. “There needs to be more and better communication.
“If there was, then it might be easier to hold a contractor more accountable for the work they’re supposed to be doing.”
However, at least one City department said they’re fine letting the work progress as it may. Parks and Recreation chief Bob Baughman said after the public is on board, their job is done.
“We’re usually more interested in making sure they buy into a program,” said Baughman. “After that, we usually stay out of it.
“As long as the public is okay with it, we don’t have an issue.”
And when the public grows restless?
“That’s difficult to say,” he said. “Some people may have valid concerns, but others fall into the category of wanting improvements, but not wanting the inconveniences that come with them.”
Shad instructed the Council’s research department last week to investigate the practices of other jurisdictions.
“I think it will be interesting to see how other cities balance quality versus cost,” said Council researcher Jeff Clements. “Within a few weeks we may have an answer.”
Shad said he’s looking forward to having one.
“Again, I believe we’re being faced with a number of issues,” he said. “But what’s most pressing to me is the fact that we’ve been giving work strictly to the lowest bidder long enough.
“You can’t keep doing that without finally finding out that you usually get what you pay for.”