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<br />Police Chief Way stated at the May 8th work session it was decided to go out for RFP. At that <br />point he indicated he would need about one week to get things ready and any interested parties <br />could contact his office. He notified North Star Towing the next day of the results of the work <br />session and that this would be going out for RFP because they were not present. He felt it was <br />fair to let them know they would be going out for RFP because Champlin Towing was present. <br />Mr. Bowtan was present at the work session, which is why he did not send him an RFP. <br /> <br />Mr. Bowian questioned if it seems crazy that he took the time to go through all of this and he <br />was not mailed an RFP. He stated he was checking his mail every day. It was never stated they <br />would have to check the newspaper. Collins Brothers feels the same way he does but could not <br />be here with the short notice. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated his concern is that obviously the City wanted to encourage some <br />competition. The problem they have is that in the past RFP's were sent out to some individuals. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen pointed out that was done upon request. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated Mr. Bowtan was here requesting that. He is not advocating for the <br />gentleman; he does not know him, but the idea is to encourage competition. The problem he <br />sees is that the City has an inconsistent procedure that needs to be clarified for everyone's <br />benefit. He inquired about the City keeping a record of requests, and sending out information to <br />these various businesses when a bid comes up, rather than just relying on the newspaper. He was <br />confused about that and contacted City Engineer Steve Jankowski regarding construction bids. <br />Mr. Jankowski had advised him that in the past on construction bids he had sought out indiv,idual <br />companies to bid on projects. He indicated he does not do that anymore because not only does <br />he advertise in the Anoka County Union as is legally required, he has another method for <br />advertising which is a construction magazine that he says everyone reads. Councilmember <br />Dehen stated he has a problem if all they are doing is sticking this in the paper. It seems they are <br />not serving the purpose of the RFP process, which is to encourage competition and get the best <br />bang for the buck. There is a gentleman here who is objecting to the procedure. As he <br />understands there might have been some expectancy that he would have received something in <br />the mail and that the past conduct was that he received something in the mail. As he understands <br />it the Council was agreeable to allowing this competition. He is not faulting the Chief for <br />following the law, but there is some confusion as to whether this gentleman in the past had <br />received something in the mail, and that had not occurred this time. He does not know if the <br />appropriate response is to send it out to more than one company to have the City actually be <br />involved in the process oftrying to get more competition. He is not sure of the answer, but it has <br />a little stink to it in his view. <br /> <br />Mr. Scott Graham, 16450 Nowthen Boulevard NW, stated the Chief made a precedent when he <br />called North Star Towing and informed them. He does not want the contract even though he is a <br />towing company, but it would have been nice if the companies that had applied the last time <br />were notified. In his opinion Bob notified them that he was an interested party. <br /> <br />City Council / June 12, 2007' <br />Page 1.5 of 29 <br /> <br />P71 <br />