Finance Committee advances purchase of electric pickup, pre-authorizes EV charger contract, approves realtor services and ratifies safety grants

The Bangor Finance Committee on Dec. 16, 2024, approved a package of procurement and grant-related measures, voting unanimously to waive competitive bids for two procurement items, award residential realtor services and ratify highway-safety grants.

Unidentified Staff (S2) explained the city had solicited multiple vehicle bids last month and "received 3 bids back on that, with Darlings being the low bidder," saying Darlings Ford agreed to honor the same price for a second electric pickup, quoted at $53,095. The committee then voted to waive the bid process and purchase the second vehicle.

The committee also approved staff's request to pre-authorize a contractor for EV charger installation at Pickering Square Garage because staff identified only two local firms with the required expertise. Staff reported a single responsive quote from "Revision" for $59,523 and said Efficiency Maine could reimburse up to $40,000; "the net cost to us would only be $19,523," staff said, with the city planning to fund the local share from Climate Action Plan monies. Staff emphasized the contract will include a clause making it null and void if the RFP is not awarded.

On residential realty services, staff recommended awarding the residential contract to the Shea Renee team at a flat, all-inclusive 5 percent commission for five years after receiving two comparable bids (John Hyatt/ SI Associates and Shea Renee). Councilor Trimble asked how the 5 percent would be split between buyer and seller agents; staff and Councilor Fisch said the listing agency can designate an amount for buyer-agent compensation and that the city would not pay more than the 5 percent cap absent further agreement at the time of sale.

Committee members also ratified two Maine Bureau of Highway Safety subgrants. Staff introduced a $8,687.12 subgrant for impaired-driving enforcement, training and reimbursable overtime and travel; the committee approved ratification. The committee also ratified a related subaward intended to fund overtime enforcement targeted at impaired-driving enforcement; the staff said both subawards had been signed earlier by the city manager due to timing and required formal council ratification.

All motions described above were moved, seconded and approved by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. The approvals will appear on the full council agenda where required for formal acceptance or ratification.

Ending: The committee handled the routine procurement and grant items in a single sitting and forwarded the relevant items to the council as appropriate.