If you happened to find yourself thinking, “It’s never been this hot over Memorial Day weekend,” simply put: You were right.FORT WAYNE – Republicans on the new City Council exerted their power for the first time, rejecting a utility consultant contract in a party-line vote because it extended for too long.
The council on Tuesday voted 6-3 to oppose a two-year contract with The Secant Group worth up to $310,336. Councilman John Crawford, R-at large, led the opposition to the contract by saying he was concerned with the city’s tendency to award consulting contracts without any true price competition.
Crawford said he is drafting a proposal to introduce more competition and transparency into selecting professional service providers that he hopes to finish in six months. Because of that, he said he would support a one-year contract with The Secant Group and then seek competition for it in 2013.
The council can’t alter the contract but instead can only reject it and ask the administration to present it with a new one.
Matthew Wirtz, utility deputy director of engineering, said the firm provides vital assistance to City Utilities in attracting and retaining customers. He said reopening the negotiations with the firm could increase the hourly costs for the work.
Ted Nitza is the principal of the group after working previously for City Utilities and other entities. He would be paid $85 an hour.
Crawford and other Republicans offered no criticism of the quality of work done by Nitza but said it’s important to ensure the city is getting the best price for its work.
Public input
The council also narrowly supported a bill to increase the ability of residents to speak during council meetings. The bill was written by Councilman Mitch Harper, R-4th, in an effort to make the council more inviting to residents to share their ideas and expertise to help the council make more informed decisions.
“This is an invitation that they would feel welcome to participate in debate,” he said.
The rule allows council members and committee chairs to invite residents to speak during committee hearings, a practice that has been done in the past but never put into official law. Several council members opposed the bill because they thought it was unnecessary regulation that wouldn’t change much.
Council members Russ Jehl, R-2nd; Tom Didier, R-3rd; Geoff Paddock, D-5th; John Shoaff, D-at large; and Harper favored it. Council members Tom Smith, R-1st; Glynn Hines, D-6th; Marty Bender, R-at large; and Crawford opposed it.
Both bills will get a final vote next week.
