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.
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