Committee approves single-source and grant-funded contracts including "dad doula" services and McKinley Beach safety signs

The Department of Administration and the Health Department presented three contract actions the committee approved without objection.

Rhonda Kelsey, city purchasing director, described a sole-source contract extension for Dennis Maroney to continue serving as a hearing examiner for the Fire and Police Commission. The department added $83,000 to an existing contract (current amount $81,000) and sought an immediate extension option and additional extension options. Kelsey told the committee that two prior competitive solicitations drew no successful responses and that Maroney—s long-standing relationship and experience made the sole-source extension necessary.

Kelsey also presented a new, grant-funded contract in the health department for doula-style services targeted at non-birthing parents (described in the file as "dad doula" services). The contract, funded by a grant for roughly $92,000, is intended to support non-birthing partners through the birthing process and explicitly uses inclusive language in the scope of work to cover "non birthing parents, father figures, etcetera," the purchasing director said. Health department staff agreed to provide written confirmation clarifying the grant language and outreach/marketing so the program is portrayed inclusively to potential participants.

The third contract amendment was for the Health Department to add about $72,000 to a prior contract with SwimSmart Technology to purchase and install two solar-powered safety signs at McKinley Beach; the items will be shipped to the county for installation as part of a partnership.

All three contract items were approved by the committee on voice vote; no objections were recorded.