Crystal Thomas
The State Journal-Register
Citing concerns that the lowest bidder wouldn’t follow a city ordinance to use local workers, city council members voted to hold off on awarding a bid to Denler Inc., a company out of Mokena.
The contract is for filling cracks along the city’s roadways. The company bid was for about $364,500; the next highest bidder was Complete Asphalt Service Co. out of Pittsfield for $447,000.
The $83,000 difference between the bids raised a red flag for some aldermen, who wanted to know why Denler’s bid was so much lower. Aldermen also noted that on the last construction job Denler handled for the city, it paid a fine instead of having a portion of the job done by local workers. They also inquired whether Denler had an apprenticeship program, another requirement of the city’s local labor ordinance.
A representative of Denler was not present at the council meeting to answer their questions, so a majority of the council voiced support in leaving the ordinance in committee. Ward 4 Ald. John Fulgenzi and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin spoke against leaving the ordinance in committee, noting that the city purchasing agent said Denler’s offer met the bid requirements.
The contract has been put out for a bid twice, leading Office of Public Works director Mark Mahoney to worry whether work would start before the construction season was over.
***
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 