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Maywood trustees approve omnibus payments amid questions over frequent bid waivers
Summary
The Village of Maywood Board unanimously approved a multi-item omnibus payment list including emergency public-works repairs and vendor contracts while several trustees raised concern about repeatedly waiving competitive bidding for repair work, citing the need to solicit bids when feasible.
The Village of Maywood Board of Trustees voted to approve an omnibus set of vendor payments covering utilities, insurance, engineering and public-works repairs at its Nov. 17 meeting, while trustees pressed staff for clearer procurement practices.
Trustee M. Rogers moved to approve the omnibus agenda with the exception of items M, N and V; Trustee H. Yarbrough seconded and the motion carried. The omnibus packet included payments to Comcast, ComEd, Graybar, Hancock Engineering and multiple contractors and totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Village's operating needs.
Trustees M. Lightford and R. Rivers questioned why the Board repeatedly waived the competitive-bid process for emergency repairs and other contracts. Trustee Rivers specifically asked about checks to Larry's Plumbing and other vendors, and Mayor Edwenna Perkins flagged a check to Forest Security.
Public Works Director John West told the Board that in emergency situations the vendors in front of the Board are typically those who respond the same day. "The manager has given strict instructions that he wants these (sewer / water / trees) to go out for bid but he can't say this won't happen again because he knows there are leaks out there that need to be addressed," West said.
Village Manager Willie Norfleet and Assistant Village Manager David Myers provided line-item explanations: Norfleet said the Larry's Plumbing payments cover water turn-on and shut-off services tied to roughly 200 monthly shut-off orders, and Myers said a payment to a temporary worker covered short-term help in accounts and permitting while the Board considers a part-time position.
The Board approved specific legal invoices and other pulled items in separate votes. Several trustees urged staff to document emergency procurements and to pursue competitive bids when possible.
The meeting record shows the Board passed the omnibus approvals after recorded votes, with no further conditions attached to vendor payments beyond the manager and department explanations.
