Airport parking operations contract to be rebid.
By Lynn Zerschling lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Tuesday, October 07, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- After more than an hour of debate over awarding a five-year contract to operate the parking lot at Sioux Gateway Airport, city lawmakers rejected both bids Monday night. The council asked the Airport Board of Trustees to rebid the project.
The issue arose because the majority of the airport board recommended the council award the contract to AMPCO Systems Parking, the firm operating the city's municipal parking garages downtown. Republic Parking System holds the existing airport contract.
A Republic representative contended the bidding system was flawed because he was told his firm would receive the contract by a subcommittee reviewing both proposals and that AMPCO was allowed to submit additional information after the bidding deadline. He contended confusion resulted from dealing with former airport director Rick McElroy and then with Interim director Curt Miller. Miller also is the city's purchasing/fleet/transit director. Miller contended the bidding process was handled properly.
An official with AMPCO pointed out his firm's bid would save the city about $50,000 over the five-year period. The firm's Sioux City manager would oversee the airport parking lot, with a supervisor being at the airport.
"I think everybody involved in the process is highly ethical," Mayor Mike Hobart said. "I am concerned about the perception."
Councilman Aaron Rochester said, "There was no wrong doing in this process." Councilman Brent Hoffman asked veteran Councilman Dave Ferris his view on the contract.
"This old boy's confused," Ferris joked. "I've never been a proponent of rebidding."
Hoffman said, "Time is not of the essence on this. We need to get it right and assure everyone we are handling our bidding process with integrity."
The council voted 4-1 to rebid the contract, with Rochester wanting to award the contract to AMPCO.
The issue arose because the majority of the airport board recommended the council award the contract to AMPCO Systems Parking, the firm operating the city's municipal parking garages downtown. Republic Parking System holds the existing airport contract.
A Republic representative contended the bidding system was flawed because he was told his firm would receive the contract by a subcommittee reviewing both proposals and that AMPCO was allowed to submit additional information after the bidding deadline. He contended confusion resulted from dealing with former airport director Rick McElroy and then with Interim director Curt Miller. Miller also is the city's purchasing/fleet/transit director. Miller contended the bidding process was handled properly.
An official with AMPCO pointed out his firm's bid would save the city about $50,000 over the five-year period. The firm's Sioux City manager would oversee the airport parking lot, with a supervisor being at the airport.
"I think everybody involved in the process is highly ethical," Mayor Mike Hobart said. "I am concerned about the perception."
Councilman Aaron Rochester said, "There was no wrong doing in this process." Councilman Brent Hoffman asked veteran Councilman Dave Ferris his view on the contract.
"This old boy's confused," Ferris joked. "I've never been a proponent of rebidding."
Hoffman said, "Time is not of the essence on this. We need to get it right and assure everyone we are handling our bidding process with integrity."
The council voted 4-1 to rebid the contract, with Rochester wanting to award the contract to AMPCO.
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BJ wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:11 AM:
Whatever wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:19 PM:
BlueBlood wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:25 AM: