North Miami council approves routine contracts, fleet and IT purchases; tables lobbying agreement

The North Miami City Council approved a package of routine procurement and personnel measures Tuesday, clearing contracts and purchase orders for parks, fleet and information-technology upgrades while tabling a proposed lobbying agreement.

The items approved included a $270,600 contract award for resurfacing courts at the Penny Sugarman Tennis Center, purchase orders to add 25 vehicles to the city fleet at an aggregate not to exceed $1,560,000, and several information-technology purchases including cloud backup hardware and Microsoft licensing. Council members also approved an audio upgrade for council chambers and the purchase of replacement laptops for city staff. Council members reappointed three special magistrates for code enforcement and confirmed multiple volunteer board appointments listed on the agenda.

Taken together, the votes were intended to keep scheduled maintenance, security and daily operations moving. The council voted to table one high-profile item: a proposed agreement to hire Reuben Turnbull and Associates Inc. for lobbying services at up to $7,500 per month was tabled indefinitely at the request that the mayor be present for…