More Microphone Stall

June 22, 2015:  The microphone/recording issue and the constant iteration that we need more than one bid: “For $20,000 we need more than one” Renee Mahoney can be heard saying at last Monday’s meeting and in previous meetings. Yet the city was not paying a full $20,000 – remember? $10,000 was to be a gift from the LWV and the bid came in around $18,000.

When a fiber optic system was investigated for the city in the fall of 2014, only one bid was submitted; until council insisted we get another. The original bid was approximately $48,000. The project was worked on by Ruth Popovich, Asst. Finance Director. I remember the meeting when this was discussed and Renee Mahoney, Finance Director did not want to obtain a second bid because Ruth had worked long and hard on this project to get the first bid together. When questioned, she stated that bids under $50,000 did not need to go out to more than one vendor. Suddenly, a second bid becomes the utmost important point of stalling the microphone project?

Additionally, the Mayor and Mrs. Mahoney are looking to add a better system to the Dwyer Center even though this is not in agreement with the League’s donation. At last Monday’s meeting the Mayor wasn’t too positive that this would be in place by September, since they are waiting for that second proposal. She also stated “It doesn’t sound like video would be a viable option for us” because a person is needed to run the equipment. Understandably she does not want to hire someone for that, but maybe she could ask for civic organization help, community volunteers or high school students or school groups before nixing videotaping of the meetings.

(facebook notes) Someone asked me if I was criticizing Renee for doing due diligence. My response:  Renee Mahoney has turned the finance department around for the better. She is honest and does her due diligence – which is why the extreme becomes distinct.

The recording issue has been over a year in the works. Meetings with the League and discussions with council and a vendor, Renee had been apprised of. Finally the announcement, May 4, 2015 – Councilman Vincent announces the League donation. The Mayor is not at this meeting but Renee says the mayor does not want microphones in the conference room. She does not mention due diligence. When council states they appropriate the funds Renee states “but I sign the purchase order and I answer to the mayor.” Renee still does not mention getting more than one estimate. Renee continues “the mayor’s thought is to have all the meetings in council chambers.” There is no mention of getting additional vendor quotes.

May 18 – I question the mayor regarding the delay. Renee is seated next to her. The mayor says her problem is the hard wiring of the conference room. I question more “To be clear then, if you have any other concerns you should let everyone know now”. The mayor does not mention a problem with only one quote. Renee does not mention a problem with only one quote. No one mentions a second vendor or a desire for due diligence.

May 19 – Cleveland.com article – the mayor never mentions a problem with only one quote. Her only concerns are hard wiring the conference room and a desire to add video.

In this particular case due diligence was an afterthought in an attempt to postpone the inevitable.