Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/11/2007

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there is unfairness. Councilmember Elvig stated both sides are correct and Councilmember Dehen has a good point about this being unfair from both perspectives. He is concerned if they start putting out letters that other people will start saying it is not fair that they were not invited. Clearly the Council wanted competition on this. With the fact that only one RFP came in, the City has the ability to deny the process and say it was faulty, and go out for a re-bid. He believes they can do that if there seems to be an anomaly. The factthat only one person showed up seems to be an anomaly. City Attorney Goodrich advised the Council has the legal authority to reject bids, but this was not a bidding process; it was seeking proposals. Councihnember Elvig pointed out that the Council has said they are looking for competition on this and they have a competitor coming and asking to compete. He thinks they need to open that up and give them the opportunity to do so. Councilmember Dehen noted he has suggested discussing the potential of a list of interested parties to provide services. Mayor Gamec stated they went through quite a bit of this in work session. He thinks they need to have that discussion further in a work session. Councilmember Dehen stated he is not sure there was a consensus to put this on a work session agenda. He thinks there needs to be a discussion about the City's policy. If a potential business wants to do business they could be put on a list and be advised if anything comes up, and there could be a retention policy that after two years they are dropped off. That would be a good step in encouraging competition. Councilmember Strommen stated she agrees it would have been the appropriate and right thing to do to give Champlin Towing a call. However, on the other hand they can also reevaluate and reevaluate. She questioned what will happen the next time there are only one or two proposals received. She stated at some point they have to move forward with a contract. The City had the authority to go forward with the contract 'with North Star Towing. It was the right thing to decide to go through an RFP process. It would have been nice to make a courtesy call to the company that is interested when nothing was heard from them. She feels like they are stuck. North Star To'wing put out an RFP and responded to a public notice. If the City pulls it back again North Star Towing may go away and next time they may only have one proposal again. Mayor Gamec called for the vote. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Coul1cihnembers Jeffrey, Olson, and Strommen. Voting No: Councilmembers Dehen, Elvig, and Look. Further discussion: Councilmember Olson stated she would like to see this go to a work session to discuss standardizing the process. She suggested an RFP section being added to the City website. Mayor Gamec requested this topic to be moved up on the work session schedule. Interim City Administrator Nelson indicated the topic of contracted services had been referred to the Finance Committee. Mayor Gamec stated the topic should be discussed by the full Council at a work session. Mr. Les McKowski, resident on Zeon Street, asked where the towing company that is currently being used is located and where the other companies are from. Councilmember Look replied the current company is located in Anoka. Mayor Gamec stated one ohhe companies is from Ramsey. Mr. McKowski questioned why the City would not use or listen to a towing company located in Ramsey. Mayor Gamec replied the company would have to get a quote or a bid in. They had the chance as far as he is concerned. If the City goes out for a quote or bid anyone has the right to respond. Mr. McKowski stated the City wants him to shop City Council / June 12, 2007 Page 17 of29 P73