Isanti approves three-year plumbing and HVAC service contract with Sun Mechanical, 4-1

The Isanti City Council approved a three-year contract with Sun Mechanical to provide plumbing and HVAC services, with an option for annual extension, in a 4-1 vote.

Staff said the city's existing contract with Sun Mechanical expires in November and that the city issued a request for proposals; only one vendor, Sun Mechanical, submitted a proposal. The packet included hourly-rate pricing for in-business and outside-business hours, and staff said the vendor agreed to maintain certifications and test backflow preventers and other devices as required. "We only received one proposal, and that proposal was from Sun Mechanical," staff said.

Council discussion focused on contractor pricing and whether the RFP process discouraged bidders. Some councilmembers criticized the apprentice hourly rate and markups, arguing private-sector costs do not justify high billings, while others said the pricing was reasonable considering insurance and overhead. Council also noted the contract is a three-year agreement that can be extended annually by council action to provide price certainty.

Councilman Heaman moved to approve the contract; Councilman Lundin seconded. After discussion the motion passed 4-1; the council recorded one dissenting vote. Staff said larger capital replacement projects would still be competitively bid and that the contract covers routine service calls and emergency repairs.

Staff will implement the contract upon completion of final documentation and will return any extension decisions to council when applicable.