Playing in the playground???

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Playing in the playground???
I just finished skimming tonight’s council workbook, and made it nearly to the end with no major malfunctions, until I was almost through Legislative Item 11, when I saw something that made me go “Hmm…”
I got to a letter from Walnut Grove Playgrounds to Betsy Parr (!) and after I reread it, and all of the other info, I said to myself, self:

Why is our very busy, highly paid Community Redevelopment Director handling the purchasing of $60K worth of playground equipment personally???
Why did the instructions to bidders seem to change after the pre-bid meeting???
Why were the other two, or at least the second lowest, bidder NOT called back in to re-quote???
Why, in his Staff Report, does Mr. Adkins state that “Service Supply has installed most of our playground equipment in recent years.” while Walnut Grove, in their letter to Ms. Parr states that “Service Supply has provided equipment, but Walnut Grove Playgrounds installed it.” Certainly Walnut Grove would realize how easily this could be checked.
Walnut Grove also states that “it was my understanding that the city would buy the equipment directly from Service Supply without going through a bidding process…”!!! How could they possibly reach this “understanding“???
Aren’t all City purchases in excess of a certain dollar amount required to be competitively bid???
Doesn’t this purchase fall under the bailiwick of the extremely competent and always prepared Ms. Cindy Strayer???
Why would Walnut Grove think that their letter of protest should be sent to Ms. Parr??? 
As a side note, Walnut Grove comments that “the playground at Old South Park shows little or no use”!!! If this is true, why are we adding additional similar equipment??? Is this a case of “we have to spend this money or we will lose it”???

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Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Playing in the playground??? Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 11:38am
	Playing in the playground??? I just finished skimming tonight’s council workbook, and made it nearly to the end with no major malfunctions, until I was almost through Legislative Item 11, when I saw something that made me go “Hmm…” I got to a letter from Walnut Grove Playgrounds to Betsy Parr (!) and after I reread it, and all of the other info, I said to myself, self: Why is our very busy, highly paid Community Redevelopment Director handling the purchasing of $60K worth of playground equipment *personally???* Why did the instructions to bidders seem to change *after* the pre-bid meeting??? Why were the other two, or at least the second lowest, bidder *NOT* called back in to re-quote??? Why, in his Staff Report, does Mr. Adkins state that “Service Supply has installed most of our playground equipment in recent years.” while Walnut Grove, in their letter to Ms. Parr states that “Service Supply has provided equipment, but Walnut Grove Playgrounds installed it.” Certainly Walnut Grove would realize how easily this could be checked. Walnut Grove also states that “it was my understanding that the city would buy the equipment directly from Service Supply *without going through a bidding process…”!!! How could they possibly reach this “understanding“??? Aren’t all City purchases in excess of a certain dollar amount required to be competitively bid???* Doesn’t this purchase fall under the bailiwick of the extremely competent and always prepared Ms. Cindy Strayer??? Why would Walnut Grove think that their letter of protest should be sent *to Ms. Parr???* As a side note, Walnut Grove comments that “the playground at Old South Park *shows little or no use*”!!! If this is true, why are we adding additional similar equipment??? Is this a case of “we have to spend this money or we will lose it”???
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

Nelson R. Self Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nelson R. Self Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 1:17pm
	Thanks again, Mike! I believe that this money is part of the $180,000+ SUPPLEMENTARY CDBG STIMULUS funds that the City of Middletown received last year. As we all know, a somewhat larger portion of this HUD funny-money ($65,000+) was utilized to pave alleyways mostly in Ward One. Just think, the City of Middletown can claim to HUD that this playground apparatus is being located in the heavily lower-income Ward 2 area. However, it's equally interesting as to the proximity of this park to S. Main Street Historic District property owners.

Nelson R. Self Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nelson R. Self Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 1:25pm
	How much personal discretion does Doug have in competitively bidding or negotiating contracts for services, equipment or projects. Does the City of Middletown have legally adopted contract procurement policies for Doug to follow? I am well acquainted with HUD/Contract Procurement Policies and Procedures and presume that senior Community Revitalization Department staff hopefully is as well? Something seems a little strange about this ongoing method of operation?

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 3:26pm
	Mike! Mike! I have the answer. The City didn’t want to give that crazy cemetery lady any money to fix the vault at the Middletown Cemetery. And then we have the playground equipment at Old South Park for all the kiddies...ya just gotta shake your head on this. Competitively bids? Ask any contractor or supplier in Middletown about this BIG problem that has been going on for years...They will be glad to tell you how this smells to them. Thanks Mike

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 7:19pm
	I found it interesting to note that the City Manager pulled Legislative Item 11 from tonight's agenda in order to re-bid it. While council was in executive session, I quickly researched Middletown's Codified Ordinances. Here is what I found: § 209.06 AUTHORITY OF THE CITY MANAGER; PURCHASES. (c) Southwest Ohio Purchasers for Government Association. (3) The City Manager, through the City Purchasing Agent, is hereby authorized to make purchases, for the City, of commodities or items costing twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or more, through such Association, provided that: A. The competitive bidding procedures of the Association have been used in such purchases;
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

Nelson R. Self Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nelson R. Self Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 8:15pm
	Mike - Your tenacity in uncovering the truth and exposing questionable actions is valued by all Middletonians who seek transparency and accountability from senior City staff. Miss Judy was compelled to do an "ABOUT FACE" tonight. I trust that Community Revitalization senior staff will give more consideration to an open, competitive bidding process for HUD-funded projects and consultant services in the future. A big "Thank You" again, Mike. You win the "Keep 'Em Honest" award today!!

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 03 2010 at 4:12am
	Thanks, Nelson, but this isn't about me. Here is what it is about: Think back to the Candidates' Forum held at the Community Center last fall just before elction day (and don't take my word for it...watch it yourslves on BlipTV http://tvmiddletown.blip.tv/file/2789984/ ). Mr. Armbruster seemed to be either bragging (or complaining) about the four DAYS' worth of time that he spends before EVERY council meeting going over the workbook information so that he is thoroghly informed BEFORE the meeting and has to ask no questions. Why then, is it left up to me--a plain, old, silly, little citizen--to spend a couple of hours skimming the workbook to catch something like this??? To boot, Armbruster is on the PARK BOARD, whose only duty is to advise the Department of Community Service on such matters. Oops...wait...we don't HAVE a "Department of Community Service", do we??? No wonder this got all balled up!!! So why, then, do we need a Park Board??? That leaves the PARK BOARD with NO official duties!!! (It does look good on the resume, though!!! And every once in a while they manage to let a contract spending taxpayer funds for one of their friend's pet projects.)
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012