Based on a report included in Council members’ biweekly informational packet, Assistant City Manager and Purchasing Director Melinda Carroll will recommend the rejection of the latest round of bids for the city vehicles. She is expected to suggest the city purchase the needed vehicles on a statewide contract.
The bid saga dates back several months when city staff took bids on a pair of pickup trucks. Three bids were received — including two from local dealers — but were eventually rejected because of specifications. Staff re-bid the package, but altered it to mid-sized SUVs after determining these would better serve the police department’s needs.
Only one sealed bid was received by last week’s deadline. Freeland Chevrolet of Antioch, a southern Nashville suburb, offered pricing on two models of a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse — one for $31,471 per vehicle and another for $31,471 per vehicle, the latter of which featured upgraded wheels and tires.
The Freeland bids were also rejected because the Traverse is considered more of a full-sized SUV and the quotes exceeded the city’s total $35,000 allotment.
After two unsuccessful rounds of bids, Carroll’s report will recommend a statewide contract purchase. She used as examples either a Dodge Journey, listing a price of $16,773.15 each, or a Ford Explorer with a price of $22,296 each. She will also offer to re-bid the vehicles again at the Council’s preference.
State contract is an option in which Tennessee agencies like the state Department of Transportation, General Services or Administration will allow local governments to “piggy-back” onto state bids in order to secure selection and best pricing, especially if local bids have been unsuccessful. As a matter of practice, city purchasing staff will traditionally advertise Cleveland area bids first in order to give local vendors the first opportunity to submit bids.
At the 2 p.m. work session in the downtown Municipal Building, the Council will hear from Guy Davis representing Waste Connection. Members also will recognize personnel from the Cleveland Fire Department, Cleveland Police Department and the Bradley County Emergency Medical Service for their recent roles in working together to locate a missing person.
At the 4 p.m. voting session, Council members will review a Consent Agenda listing the final passage of the city’s revised Occupational Safety and Health Program, authorization for Mayor Tom Rowland to sign a grant application for the replacement of playground equipment at Tinsley Park, and a series of personnel appointments and reappointments to various city boards.
The Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant application is for funding not to exceed $200,000 through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. This is a matching grant amount which the city may provide either in cash or in-kind services.
The Council will also consider the approval of $2,500 in funding for the Care and Community Service program partnership with Lee University contingent upon the Bradley County Commission authorizing an identical amount from its budget.
Both the 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. biweekly sessions are open to the public. The Council meets in its upstairs chambers in the Municipal Building on Church Street.
