1982-04-21 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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U • • Minutes, Regular Meeting, La Porte City Council April 21, 1982, Page 7 I think one of two things is wrong with this; either our specifications are too high or we haven't pursued the matter far enough to assure ourselves that we have the best price, at least on these asphalt cut-backs. I would like to see at least that item rebid or at least investigation to the specifications to see if the rest of the cities around us are using 1962 specifications and we insist on 1972. T'd suggest perhaps we ought to look into this a little bit further. I'm not so sure it's the quality of material we are buying that's going to be up-graded. If there's a problem with the 1962 specs, it might be with the applica- tion, not the material. T just hate to see one price and two no-quotes. I don't think that's an adequate attempt to purchase. Skelton: Madame Mayor, as pointed out in workshop, we can cancel these things and go out for rebid at any time that we elect. Since most of this is a petroleum product, the industry continues to change their prices. I think we need to have something that the City can procede with the street program • rather than have people wait for material and for us to have to approve each time they need a batch of asphalt. This allows us to go ahead and we are not committed to go any fur- ther than we would like and we can change this at any time. Gay: This was discussed in workshop and as Mr. Askins said, we are not really obligated for the whole year. This is only a formality. We need to get this approved so we can get on with this. Matuszak: Madame Mayor, I'd like to suggest that perhaps this is a little specious. I found in my practice when you have a blanket purchase agreement, the purchasing agent takes the easiest route, send me another load, send me another load, rarely do they ever check to see if the market is up, down, or lower. At Mr. Hodge's own admittance, he was a little con- cerned that the limestone contracts were a little high. I submit that when one goes with a long .term contract and is not assured of obtaining anything, specifically in the way of a guaranteed price, that we will take the easiest price and say send me another load at that price. Westergren:,. Madame Mayor, I wish to second the motion in order that we may bring this to a vote. Cline: I have a motion by Skelton to award the bid, second •- by Westergren. All in favor will state aye.