By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - A request to spend a little more money to award a hefty contract to a Niles company, rather than an out-of-town company, failed by one vote at the Niles City Council meeting Monday night.
Councilmember Scott Clark asked that instead of awarding the low bid of $77,351.02 to Kalin Construction of Sodus for the improvement and lengthening of Industrial Drive in the Niles Industrial Park, the contract go to Northern Construction Services of Niles, formerly known as Niles Concrete Sawing and Construction, whose bid was about $3,000 more than Kalin's.
In addition to Kalin and Northern Construction, whose bid was $80,713.40, also submitting a bid was Southwest Transport of Hartford for $100,084.70.
Clark said working with Niles companies provides citizens here with more accountability for their tax dollars.
Council member Bruce Williams asked for a recommendation from the city's Public Works Director Neil Coulston.
Coulston said if given a choice, he'd prefer the bid go to Northern Construction simply because he has worked with them a number of times in the past and is familiar with that company's work.
However, Council member Robert Chute said he is concerned that not accepting the low bid would give an impression of fiscal irresponsibility.
Council members Bruce Williams, Clark and Georgia Boggs voted against awarding the bid to Kalin Construction Co. of Sodus. Councilmembers Chute, Bill Weimer, Dan Vanden Heede and Robert Durm voted in favor of approving the Kalin bid.
Funds to pay for the project will be provided by the city's revolving loan fund, said Juan Ganum, the city's development director.
In other business Monday night, the council:
approved a request from the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce to hold Santa Claus' annual arrival at the Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
approved a request from the Niles High School Student Council to conduct the annual homecoming parade on Friday at 1:30 p.m., beginning at the corner of 15th and Merrifield streets.
approved a request form Phoenix Precision Air of Three Rivers for the use of a portion of Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport to stage helicopter rides during Apple Festival from Thursday through Sunday.
approved the purchase of video surveillance equipment for use by the city police department's detective bureau from Pro-Tech of Berea, Ohio, at a cost of $3,029, to be paid for with donated funds.
accepted the bid of $21,238, of which the city's cost is a 10 percent match, form West Shore Fire Co. of Allendale for the purchase of a breathing air compressor.
approved the purchase of one Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle from Campbell Lincoln-Mercury of Niles at a cost of $21,388.36.
approved the award of three additional contracts for the water system improvement project at a cost of $425,800.
approved a contract with John Klimek of Niles to provide electrical inspection services for the City of Niles.