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- Council rejects Aqua, hires Schneider
- SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday, 5-19-98)--On a split vote, the City Council last night rejected one well-drilling company and embraced another as the city moves toward drilling a new city water well at 7th and Decatur Aves. downtown.
That's the present site of old wells 3 and 4. The new well will be dubbed 4A. The city's retained engineering firm estimated the well would cost $431,000.
After lively discussion, the city turned down a $327,000 bid by Aqua Drilling and Engineering Corp. because the council determined it was not a "responsible" bidder.
Instead, they approved a $397,000 bid by Schneider Equipment, Inc., to do the work because they thought the company was the responsible--though higher--bidder.
Jim Reed Spokane attorney for Aqua, told the council it was in effect charging taxpayers $70,000 more to do the job. He maintained Aqua was responsible, and had a $335,000 bond to make sure it completed work satisfactorily.
Reed said city research was selectively conducted to highlight Aqua's faults, while playing up Schneider's successes. He hinted at a lawsuit against the city for approving Schneider's higher bid, citing state laws against public entities not approving the lowest bidder to do a job.
But the city was not swayed. Interim City Mgr. Mark Kunkler said Sunnyside had the legal responsibility to choose the lowest bidder considered most responsible. In this determination, he was fully backed by city staff.
It was noted that Anderson-Perry & Associates, Inc., Sunnyside, the city's retained engineering firm, determined Schneider was the better company to do the job.
To buttress the decision, Dept. of Natural Resources documents--completed by the cities of Lewiston, Moses Lake, and Prosser--indicated problems with Aqua.
Prosser official Howard Powell, for example, wrote that his city "needed to keep on the contractor (Aqua) continually to get the work completed as specified."
Voting to give Aqua a shot at the job were Councilmen Don Vlieger, Mike Aguirre, and Mike Farmer. Voting against Aqua were Councilmen Roy Anciso, Errol Brown, Chad Werkhoven, and Mayor Ed Prilucik. In voting to favor Schneider, the vote was reversed.
In other matters, the council:
- Tabled a decision to establish a "vendor list process" for purchase of supplies, materials and equipment, and a "small works roster" to award public works contracts.
- Approved liquor licenses for Puerto Vallarta Family Restaurant, 633 E. Edison Ave.; La Texanita, 301 S. 13th St.; and Lincoln Market, 1517 S. Lincoln Ave. After a request by Councilman Chad Werkhoven, the city will further study a liquor license okay for AJ's, 1121 S. 16th St., because of AJ's proximity to a school.
- Approved monthly bills totaling $477,519.81.
- Okayed an application for a noise ordinance variance from Snipes Mountain Brewery for events slated for June 7, July 18 and July 25.
- Tabled a discussion on a city nepotism ordinance for two weeks.
- Decided to write a letter of commendation to those who helped create Sunnyside's winning parade float.
- Tabled action on the future of Police Chief Wallace Anderson's vehicle allowance.
- Applauded the work of Rosendo Magana for the changes he has made to his Dark Horse Inn. As a result of his work, nearby neighbors reportedly haven't complained lately of noise and other disturbances.