Cookeville approves multi-vendor lawn-care contracts totaling $115,610; manager may go to next-lowest bidder if needed
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Summary
Council approved awarding lawn-care services across parks, public buildings and right-of-ways to multiple vendors, with leisure services costs of $72,320, public works costs of $37,050 and $6,240 for the animal shelter; the council also authorized the city manager to use the next-lowest bidder if a contract is terminated.
Cookeville City Council on March 6 approved multiple contracts for lawn-care services across city parks, public buildings and right-of-ways, awarding work to several vendors and setting department cost allocations totaling $115,610 for the eight-month mowing season (March through October).
Public Works (presenter Mr. Woods) told the council the bid package covered eight parks, 12 public buildings/grounds and several miscellaneous properties and right-of-ways; the city received bids from seven providers. The staff recommendation grouped low evaluated bidders by the city cost center. Mr. Woods said his recommendation would result in four different companies receiving agreements and noted the contracts include a termination clause for unsatisfactory performance.
Woods presented estimated totals by cost center: $72,320 for Leisure Services (eight-month mowing season), $37,050 for Public Works-controlled areas, and $6,240 for the animal shelter, a combined total of $115,610. He also recommended that, if a vendor contract is terminated, staff be authorized to proceed with the next-lowest bidder for that property.
A council member stated they would recuse themselves because they are related to one of the bidders; the speaker did not state their name on the record. The council then moved and seconded the amended motion (the record shows a motion with an amendment to authorize the city manager to go to the next-lowest bidder); Vice Mayor Eldridge seconded. The council voted unanimously and the motion carried.
Why it matters: the contracts set the city's lawn-care providers for the season, allocate budgeted amounts among departments, and establish an administrative fallback (next-lowest bidder) to maintain service continuity if a vendor is terminated.