Councilmember urges re-bid and scrutiny of five-year lease with Caley Solutions

The Glens Falls City Common Council discussed a proposed five‑year lease with Caley Solutions of America for multifunction printers and copiers, identified in the meeting as agenda item 7.1. A councilmember questioned whether the city was getting the best financial outcome and urged additional competitive bidding and publicity before awarding or ratifying the lease.

“I would like to bid it again and publicize the bid and make sure we were being as competitive as possible,” the councilmember said, adding that the council should “take a look and see if we are making the best financial choice for the city.” The same speaker cited example cost figures from the procurement discussion, saying, “dollars 7,500 a month to recoup the cost of that outfitting and 6,500 for the release,” to underscore concerns about the total burden on a vendor and possibly the city.

Staff responded that the items under discussion include construction bids that respond to submitted drawings and specifications, explaining that while a single bidder had come forward, those bids are made against the same contract documents. The councilmember pressed for broader advertising and publicizing of bids to encourage more competition.

Discussion linked this procurement to broader budget priorities: the councilmember suggested the city consider whether funds used for outfitting or lease obligations might instead address roads, pipes or sidewalks. The transcript records debate and requests for further due diligence; it does not record a formal vote or final approval of the lease in the provided excerpt.

The transcript does not cite specific procurement statutes or ordinance numbers, nor does it record a final motion or vote on agenda item 7.1; staff and councilmembers discussed next steps and the desire for additional competitive solicitations.