City Manager Hobbs answered correct.
Mayor Grant mentioned in the elected officials’ discussions with Mr. Hobbs and
Mr. Henderson, the former understood that the cost of most services increased
post COVID 19. She thought the number before the Commission for approval
was moderate for the current economic climate.
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Sean Henderson commented on his
experience working with Mr. Celetti, stating he witnessed the fluctuations in the
cost for asphalt affecting many of the City’s inhouse projects; it was almost a
daily change.
Operations Administrator Yolan Todd indicated the process was that the City
had a consultant design the bid, and the bid was sent out for about 60 days; the
bid was open to the entire population of contractors and vendors that provided
this kind of service. An evaluation committee of experts from within the City
reviewed the responses received and the subject vendor was recommended for
approval.
Commissioner Dunn knew it was in the contract that the selected vendor had to
make an effort to subcontract with Lauderhill businesses, asking what city staff
was doing proactively to ensure the vendor was matched with suitable
Lauderhill businesses they could potentially hire.
Mr. Henderson commented that he saw more and more on the procurement
side that jobs were being held up by staff’s efforts to adhere to making sure
there was Lauderhill businesses participation, going out to bid multiple times
trying to get that local participation.
In his numerous encounters with
businesses outside Lauderhill, he encouraged them to move to Lauderhill to
take advantages of the opportunities available. The City economic team worked
to identify businesses that qualified for the City’s Target Market Program (TMP)
to get better involvement, and the businesses they contacted showed no
interest in applying. He thought matters were getting close to interfering with the
timeliness of conducting business, with the City having to constantly rebid on
projects.
Ms. Todd added that with the subject vendor under consideration, if
Commission approval was granted, staff would work with the vendor to be more
creative in how they utilized the SBE vendors in Lauderhill, so even if they were
not a construction company, vendors could provide services, such as cleanup,
and hauling.
Commissioner Dunn remarked that many cities around the nation figured out
ways to facilitate local businesses getting such opportunities, though she was
sure the challenges Mr. Henderson spoke of were very real. She requested a
presentation from staff on what they were doing to developing strategies, and
doing proactively to make sure Lauderhill businesses were given a chance; the
City, too, needed to shop local.
City Manager Hobbs stated that staff and he would be prepared to make a
presentation at the September Commission workshop.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor S. Martin, seconded by Commissioner M.
Dunn, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
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