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Council debates payment for IB Electric work and removes two claims after dispute over approvals and invoices
Summary
Members debated whether claims tied to IB Electric and attorney invoices were properly authorized; Council removed two claims from the current‑claims motion pending further investigation and discussed outside investigations and approvals.
Council members questioned payments to contractors and law firms after a contentious exchange about an IB Electric invoice and a separate $7,000 charge that council members said had not come before the full council for approval.
The council spent significant time debating a set of current claims. Councilman Saab moved to approve the claims but asked to remove items 18 and 22 from the consent motion. Saab and several colleagues said an investigation requested concerning a $7,000 payment had not addressed the issue that council had asked to be reviewed. Councilman Saab and others also criticized large legal fees recorded in claims and said they wanted outside investigation and invoices reviewed.
During the discussion multiple council members and administration staff described a complicated history: previous representations that DTE would remit funds for work, IB Electric’s owner appearing before council and saying work was performed, and an administration official asserting some checks were being held while staff clarified the procurement history. Council members expressed frustration that some work had proceeded without council bidding or formal approval.
On a related procedural vote the council amended the claims motion to remove items 18 and 22 and to add item 65. The motion to approve the remaining claims then passed.
Council members asked administration to supply a full paper trail and, where necessary, to refer matters for outside investigation. Council members also asked for better controls on approvals and use of outside counsel and requested that future outside legal opinions and contracts come with cost estimates for council approval.
