Agenda - Council - 11/10/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CASE # ~ CONSIDER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CUL-DE-SAC SNOW PLOWING By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer Back ground: During a recent City Council work session staff was directed to explore the possibility of using contract labor to perform some of the services now being performed by City staff. One of the services being considered is the snow plowing of two (2) of our seven (7) cul-de-sac routes. Staff is proposing this RFP process to evaluate the rates offered by private companies to see if there would be a budgetary savings. The attached RFP will be mailed directly to local contractors that could meet the City's 30 minute call back requirement, and the attached "invitation for quotations" form will be posted in the Anoka Union, the official City newspaper, for contractors to contact the City to request the formal RFP: This item was discussed by the Public Works Committee on October 20, 2009, and they were supportive of this process. The only item that was questioned and discussed was the bonding requirement within the proposed contract; the Public Works Committee wanted a legal opinion from the City Attorney as to whether it was necessary and if the proposed $2,500 amount was adequate. City Attorney Goodrich advises that the purpose of a Perform'ance Bond is to have a bond company/surety guarantee the performance of the contractor pursuant to the contract terms. In the event of contractor default the surety then can be required to step into the contractor's shoes and perform the contract. It is doubtful that a surety could be found that will agree to complete any specific snowplowing event; however, it may be possible to find a surety to write a bond for a portion of a snowplow season such that if the original contractor quits the surety will find another snowplow contractor to complete the season or in other words fulfill the original contractor's obligations. In my opinion, a Perform.ance Bond is probably not necessary for this type of contract. Typical contractor liability insurance would seem to cover the type of liability the City will be exposed to in this situation and the City should be able to find another contractor to complete the original contract in the event of default. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council proceed with the mailing/posting of the RFP for contracted plowing . serVices. Action: Motion to proceed with the RFP for contracted plowing services Attachments: RFP for Plowing Services Invitation for Quotations Reviewed by: ~. . City Administrator . Director of Public W 0 ks/Principal City Engineer PW: 11/1 0/09