HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-17 Council Minutes - Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AUGUST 17, 2015
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAYOR PAT PORTER, PRESIDING
NOTES
Council present: P. Porter, H. Knackstedt, R. Marquis, B. Gabriel, T. Bookey, B. Molloy
and T. Navarre
Others present: City Manager R. Koch, City Attorney S. Bloom, Finance Director T.
Eubank and City Clerk S. Modigh
Mayor Porter began the work session at approximately 6:00 p.m
Council Member Molloy provided an overview of the draft rewrite of Kenai Municipal Code 7.15
related to Purchases and Sales proposed by himself and Council Member Knackstedt. Molloy
noted that policies from other communities and the state of Alaska were used as references in
addition to input provided by Administration.
Knackstedt noted that prior to being elected he had been contacted by individuals that were
concerned with the City's procurement process for professional services and wanted to make
this review a priority once on Council.
Randy Daly, owner of HiSpeed Gear Inc., spoke in opposition of the City's current procurement
procedures and proposed improvements which were provided in the packet.
Councilors Knackstedt and Molloy reviewed the proposed ordinance section by section
highlighting differences.
City Manager Koch noted that the proposed amendments are more restrictive than the current
policies in place stating that codifying this may be problematic due to unique circumstances.
Koch explained that the majority of procurement dollars spent are through the RFP process and
spoke in favor of flexibility for Council's approval of procurement. Koch spoke in opposition of
removing the management services from professional services.
Council discussed informal purchasing of minor purchases and the City Manager having the
flexibility to waive specific requirements. It was discussed that purchases greater than $15,000
but less than $25,000 as such a small margin and suggestions were made for more flexibility.
Administration recommended that large purchases beginning at $50,000 require an invitation for
bid. It was noted the KPB is currently at $40,000. Council discussed, but wasn't able to come to
an agreement on the codified dollar amounts.
Council requested a list of purchases to review the different categories and dollar amounts.
Procurement and Professional Services
Council discussed Management Services being removed from Professional Services and
included in 7.15.050, and defined as to not be required to accept the lowest bidders.
Kenai City Council Work Session
August 17, 2015
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It was noted that procurement for legal services by Administration is needed and should be
placed back in the proposed draft ordinance.
Innovative Procurements and Other Exception
Explanation of the category was an item that needs to be purchased that is unique and doesn't
fit within the typical requirements of code or policy.
Local Preference
A small dollar range was added to smaller purchases in this category and the definition of "local
bidder" was revised.
Council discussed stating that the City "will" instead of "maybe" give local preference.
The definition of a local bidder was discussed with possible amendments. It was considered
whether local is considered Kenai or the Peninsula.
It was noted that the proposed revision would be made to the draft ordinance and that it would
be before Council at its next meeting.
The work session was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Notes repared by:
San r M igh, C
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