Council briefing flags consent items: transit software ratifications and Hagerty contract amendment

Assistant City Manager Ben Woody told the council Jan. 23 that the Jan. 28 business meeting will include a comparatively small consent agenda with two items he highlighted: (1) a ratification of two existing contracts for transit scheduling and automated passenger counting that have been in place for four and five years respectively and which, with the current extension options, will cumulatively exceed $90,000 and thus require council approval; and (2) an amendment to the city's contract with Hagerty Consulting that would increase the not-to-exceed amount to $5,900,000.

Woody said both transit contracts have been in place for several years and presented the ratification now because the cumulative total including extension options triggers council approval. On Hagerty, Woody said staff expect “the majority of this expense will be reimbursed by FEMA or other federal agencies,” and that Hagerty's continued role will focus on maximizing federally reimbursable costs and other funding for infrastructure, housing and economic recovery.

Why this matters: The Hagerty amendment represents a sizable contract increase tied directly to the Helene recovery effort; staff emphasized the city will pursue reimbursement where eligible. The transit-software ratifications are primarily an administrative approval triggered by cumulative contract totals.

No formal motions, seconding or votes were recorded during the Jan. 23 briefing; both items were identified for the upcoming Jan. 28 business meeting for council action.