Minutes - 2006/03/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council March 13, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 3 • Fire Chief Zikmund offered to answer questions Councilmember Stigney referenced the Tierny Brothers quote, noting that it holds the State of Minnesota cooperative purchasing venture contract for these items, and wondered if it goes out for competitive bid. Fire Chief Zikmund explained quotations are received as opposed to bids. He stated he checked with legal counsel, and if there is a State approved or government approved purchasing consortium price, then that is the price that can be used. He mentioned another company was found, AVI, but Tierny Brothers were found to be more competitive, more responsive, and the City has used them before. Councilmember Stigney asked for confirmation that the item did not go out for competitive bid. Fire Chief Zikmund explained none of the items went out for published bid, but rather bidders are invited to submit quotations, as compared to construction contracts that are published in the paper. He commented there were only two companies found that did this type of work. Councilmember Stigney stated he was concerned with giving someone a contract because they have a purchasing venture with the State, and stated it should have been done by competitive bid. Finance Director Beer clarified that what the State contract means is that there is a consortium that solicits bids for a number of items for competitive bid. He explained these are the winning bidders. He explained the City is able to use the contract without having to do additional competitive bidding. Councilmember Stigney asked if the State asked for bids on this specific equipment. Fire Chief Zikmund and Director Beer stated this is correct, and is done for thousands of items. Fire Chief Zikmund noted that the same thing will be used for the furniture once it comes through. Councilmember Stigney stated he has a problem without going out and asking for competitive bids. Fire Chief Zikmund stated that quotes were solicited from other vendors. Councilmember Stigney stated nothing is listed in documentation regarding this. Mayor Many asked Finance Director Beer for clarification on the State contract. Finance Director Beer replied it is a consortium of local governments, and City governments pay to be in the consortium as it is the only way to take advantage of the state bid price. He explained the State puts out for a number of bids for numerous items like pickup trucks, computers, televisions, garbage bags, etc. He stated the list goes out for competitive bids, the State collects data, and these are the winning bidders based on specifications desired. Finance Director Beer explains that it is a large process, but it was competitive bid and numerous notices were advertised to vendors to gather information. He explained this helps communities save money by not having to go through the competitive bidding process.