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Middleton landmarks committee orders RFP for pillar sign and rejects current bids after member offers donation
Summary
The Middleton Landmarks Committee agreed to seek competitive bids (RFP) for a new sign for the school pillars and voted to reject existing vendor bids for wooden plaque backings after a member offered to make and donate replacement wood mounts, citing high prices and insurance/installation concerns.
At a meeting of the Middleton Landmarks Committee, members voted to reject the vendor bids received for wooden plaque backings and directed staff to pursue a request for proposals (RFP) for a new sign to mark the school pillars, after members questioned the prices and one member offered to donate materials and labor.
The committee discussed a quote from AlphaGraphics for a metal plaque mounted on an angled post rather than attached to the hollow pillars. Several members said the sample look was acceptable but that the quoted price seemed high. "Let's get let's do an RFP," said Sandy, the committee chair, calling for a competitive process so multiple vendors could bid.
Charles, who identified himself as a professional woodworker during the discussion, argued the production bids were inflated and moved to defer acceptance of the current bid until a formal procurement process was in place. He told the group he could produce the wooden backings more cheaply: "I am donating my time, I'm donating my labor, and I am donating the materials," he said, offering to make five mounts and asking the committee to provide dimensions and timing.
After discussion about insurance and installation liabilities for work on or near private property, the committee voted by voice to reject all submitted bids for the wood mount production and approved pursuing an RFP for the sign project and competing quotes for mount production. The motion to reject the bids was made by Charles and seconded; committee members responded in the affirmative on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The committee is responsible for maintaining Middleton's landmark signage and wants to balance preserving historic markers with prudent use of public funds. Members signaled a preference for a formal, competitive procurement process and for prioritizing locations most in need of repair.
What's next: Staff will check procurement requirements and the RFP process, collect additional quotes for the pillar sign and mounts, and report back at the next scheduled meeting. Charles said he would confirm how many mounts he can make and provide measurements so the committee can weigh his offer against vendor quotes.
Quotes used in this article are taken verbatim from the meeting transcript and attributed to speakers who made them during the discussion.
