Macclenny tightens bid procedures

Macclenny tightens bid procedures

By MELISSA BURNSED
UPDATED APRIL 8, 2008  10:35 P.M.

MACCLENNY, FL - The Macclenny City Council approved a resolution that tightens up bid procedures and clarifies arcane language, during their regular meeting Tuesday night. The resolution was drafted to clarify policies for every departmental purchase, from supplies for office staff to parts for maintenance.

Local venders and suppliers of goods and services will be pleased with the policy which grants them preferential status if their bids are within five percent of the lowest bid. The only stipulation requires locals to meet standards relating to equality of services and similarity of merchandise quality.

Under the tightened policy, employee purchases above $500 have to be authorized by a purchase order. The city will continue the practice of piggy-backing on low cost state and federal bids. An exception is included for single sources vendors and emergency purchases deemed necessary by the city manager.

City Manager Gerald Dopson briefed the council on what measures are being taken to rectify that drainage woes at Cypress Point, in the wake of concerns voiced by adjoining property owner Chad Taylor.

Mr. Taylor had appeared at an earlier meeting complaining about the flow of copious amounts of runoff water that was pooling in his yard, instead of in the developments drainage system, in the city’s Northeast sector.

City staff held a meeting with the developers, project engineers, and Earthworks personnel, who were the original contractors. Also in attendance was Macclenny contracted engineer Frank Darabi.

Cypress Point engineers have come up with plans to redirect the water flow. Those plans are currently under review by the St. Johns Water Management District, which must approve them before any adjustments can begin. Modifications will be made as soon as approval from the district is received.

The developers and engineers were also encouraged to brief Mr. Taylor on all aspects of their plans. "We will work together to get this taken care of," said Mayor Gary Dopson.

The city council approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to continue maintenance of all state highways within the town limits. The city will be compensated $36,900 for the road work. That is an increase of $900 over the previous contract.

Camp Style Director Anne Lewis appeared before the council to request the yearly donation for her groups’ camp, which teaches leadership skills to area teens. Ms. Lewis was accompanied by four of the camp’s youth leaders who practiced their skills by publicly addressing the council. They were Garrett Griffis, Cody Crews, Zach Thompson, and Christian Crews.

Although the group had only requested a $125 donation, the council voted to donate $250 for the youth program.

A workshop to discuss solid waste issues was scheduled for April 15^th.