Council approves $17,500 police office modifications after debate over competitive bids

Council approved a $17,500 service agreement with Omega Industries Inc. to create two office spaces at the police department, authorizing the city manager to execute a task order under an existing master trades agreement.

Rick Coronado, Public Works director, told council the work is not simply a wall but a multi-trade project that includes electrical, HVAC and door replacement, and said the city had previously solicited master trade rates last year: "It's not a change order ... it's an additional project," he said. Several council members pressed staff on whether the specific project should be competitively bid now that Omega's number is public and questioned why more local contractors did not participate in the master-trades process. Staff said the master agreement allowed ready-to-go contractors and that Omega had provided competitive rates; councilmembers who favored competitive rebids argued that disclosing the number could hamper competition.

After debate, council voted 5-2 to approve the agreement as presented. Opponents argued for competitive solicitation to ensure local participation and lower costs; supporters said the city's schedule and previous master-agreement process justified proceeding to provide needed office space for police operations.