Minutes - 1998/11/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 13 November 9, 1998 Mounds View City Council asked. Whiting stated he could not support, as City Administrator, opening up Images contract for public bid. Ms. Olson stated the process should be opened up for public bid. Dan Coughlin suggested offering the banquet manager a "probationary period" which would give both the contractor and the City the ability to assess operation successes and failures. He stated he would not be in favor of a five-year contract. City Attorney Long stated the first term, whether it be six months or a year, couldn't really be covered in a termination clause. "As a policy matter the term of the contract is important and separate from the termination clause," he added. Quick stated, "Image's owner has a track record with the City and I feel perfectly comfortable with this individual handling this job...I don't see any problem. I don't see any need for a probationary period. I think we're drawing at straws. I think there might be some political undertones here, considering what happened here in the last couple of weeks (the election), and I'm sick and tired of hearing it....All's we're doing is burning time." Stigney stated the issue can be carried over and Quick was out of order. Mr. Coughlin stated the issue wasn't politically motivated. But, "Are we going to set a precedent where we just base things off of our own personal impressions of individuals here in town. Or do we basically say, this is an agreement, forget the personalities involved, but this is an agreement that the City is entering into that may or may not work out. On that basis, and on that basis alone, I raise the concern of entering into a long term contract when we have no track record with a facility that hasn't opened yet." Long stated if the Council's wish is to have the ability to renegotiate the contract at any point, that statement would have to be added to the contract. Stigney stated Images would be a good choice for the job; however, they have no experience in managing a banquet facility. If we're going to look at this individual for this job maybe we should go out for RFPs and see what else might be out there. "And the bottom line is, whoever looks like they've presented the best overall package for the City perhaps that would be the way to go," he added. Stigney suggested holding off on a decision on the banquet facility. Gunn stated she was in favor of a two year contract because it would take more than one year to get the facility "up and running" to the point of profitability.