Commission debates pay boost for long-serving janitorial contractor; tables contract for further review

A prolonged exchange at the March 16 meeting focused on Ken’s Janitorial, the longtime contractor that provides a range of janitorial and maintenance services for city facilities. Commissioners recounted the company’s decades-long service and disagreed about how to set a fair contract rate.

Commissioner Fornier urged a larger increase, saying the work and community value justify raising the proposed hourly rate to $30–$35. "He's been doing this for years ... he's a valuable resource," Fornier said, arguing a higher rate is needed to recruit and keep workers. City Manager Shipman reviewed the vendor’s history: Ken’s janitorial started in 1984 and the current rate reflected the circumstances after the founder’s death; staff proposed $25/hour to improve retention but recommended a staff follow-up and possible one-year review.

Dave, the contractor’s current operator, was identified in the discussion as managing the company after his father’s death and facing difficulties hiring at historically low rates. Commissioners discussed options: accept the submitted proposal, ask the vendor to resubmit at a market rate, or approve a one-year term with an option to revisit. The commission voted to approve the other purchases and payments listed on the agenda and to table the Ken’s Janitorial contract for negotiation or resubmittal; staff was directed to bring the matter back for review.

The commission recorded a unanimous roll-call result on the amended purchases-and-payments motion that separated the janitorial item for later consideration.