Providence Board of Contract and Supply approves bulk contract actions, debates MBE participation and Barr Foundation match

The Providence Board of Contract and Supply voted 9-1 with two members absent on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, to approve items 1–31 in Section A and to refer opened bids to the relevant city departments, while members pressed staff on minority-business-enterprise participation and the city match for a Barr Foundation grant.

The meeting opened with the clerk calling roll and moved into Section B for opening of bids. City staff read multiple bids into the record, including appraisal services for the Providence Omni Hotel (Stanzewski Associates: $90,000; Peter M. Scotti & Associates: $25,000) and several proposals for emerald ash borer treatment for city trees (Northeastern Tree Service Inc.: $38,880; Greenview Tree Service LLC: $25,650; Bridal Tree and Shrub Experts LLC: $31,995). The board was also presented with a rebid for site improvements at Gaynor Street Park (item extended to March 10, 2025), multiple street-and-tree block maintenance bids from several contractors, and a set of proposed service agreements and small contracts for youth and community programs and for…