Warwick holds vote on food-truck contract after vendors and council raise fairness concerns

Summary

City council held action on a one‑year award to Ocean State Confections after weeks of questions from council members and vendors about the RFP’s terms, vendor preference, revenue estimates and who assigns trucks to events. The contract was held for further review until the council’s June 2 meeting.

The Warwick City Council on the floor of its meeting held action on a request to award a one‑year revenue contract for city‑sponsored food‑truck events to Ocean State Concessions LLC after an extended discussion about bidding rules and fairness to local vendors.

Parks and Recreation matters were presented to the Finance Committee by Bill Vicente, chief of staff to Mayor Picozzi, who said the administration sought a single contractor to organize food trucks at 13 city events and estimated the award would generate $8,260 in revenue to the city for the season. “This is the first year we’re doing this, and I ask that we are given a 1 year trial to see how it works,” Vicente said at the committee hearing.

The request drew sustained objections from council members and multiple public speakers who said the procurement process disadvantaged long‑standing Warwick vendors and lacked clarity on responsibilities, minimum bids and placement decisions.…

Warwick holds vote on food-truck contract after vendors and council raise fairness concerns

Summary

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