In a recent government meeting, city staff recommended awarding a contract for landscaping materials to Jet Mulch following a bid opening on February 6th. Despite a mathematical error identified during the review process, staff confirmed that Jet Mulch remained the lowest bidder. The contract is primarily for SB 1383-compliant bark, a product mandated by state legislation aimed at diverting organic waste from landfills.

Rich Dobbert, representing Applied Landscape Material, raised concerns during public comment regarding the bidding process. He argued that the evaluation method was flawed, as it did not adequately account for the different products and their historical usage. Dobbert emphasized that his company, which has been operating in the community for 17 years, offered a more competitive price over three years compared to Jet Mulch, which he claimed would increase costs in subsequent years.

City staff explained that the bid process was conducted in accordance with established procurement guidelines, which required adherence to the advertised specifications. They acknowledged that while the parks department is not obligated to use the awarded bid, the public works department found Jet Mulch's proposal to meet their needs effectively.

The discussion also touched on the classification of the project as a public works contract, which limits the ability to consider local vendor preferences. City Attorney Matthew McConver clarified that the broad definition of public works under state law encompasses various projects, including landscaping, which complicates local preference considerations.

The council members expressed a desire to revisit the implications of the public works classification in future discussions, particularly regarding its impact on local businesses and procurement practices.