4/28/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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600 Chairman Tippin remarked that he has heard so many great things about the wetlands we have created and wanted to know if there is a problem or if the County would really save by bidding this item as recommended. Director Hubbs referred to the old agenda item which recommended that, after a two- year period, the existing contractor would assist the County in developing an RFP. Staff has tried to take it a step further. Since the original contract was never competitively bid, it is probably good public policy to do so now. Obviously, the Board could allow the existing contract to continue; there is nothing wrong with it. Staff is very pleased with the. service being provided by Ecotech Consultants, Inc., however, in reviewing the contract, he believed some money could be saved by going out to bid and injecting competition into the process. Commissioner Gruen voiced agreement with his statement. Commissioner Adams recalled when this contract had first come up and how the Board had discussed the multi-year facet and the costs if the County were to do it in-house. The number one consideration at that time was the County did not have the expertise. She liked the fact that the contractor assumed all liability. She reminded the Commissioners that the County has already had to pay fines to DEP. She felt their assumption of liability was quite valuable. She also recalled an instance relative to animal care where the County went to bid "to get competition", and the County would have been better off leaving animal care as it was. She felt the County was being well -served by Ecotech. Director Hubbs reiterated the intent was to inject some competition into the process which he thought was originally envisioned in 1996. He was pleased with the service and stated that it was planned for the County to eventually take over all responsibilities relating to the wetlands. It is anticipated that the contractor will be the trainer for the County's employees. He advised that the County is planning to do the berm maintenance and a large part of the sampling during this cycle. During the next cycle, the County plans to take over more of the permitting and actual botany and biology -type work. In response to Commissioner Adams, Director Hubbs felt he had the personnel to absorb the work within the department. He thought that once the wetland is established, it will remain fairly self-sustaining because Mother Nature is a very good steward. Commissioner Adams agreed that Mother Nature is a good steward, but when man comes in and tinkers with what Mother Nature has established, all kinds of variables can occur to create problems. April 28, 1998 88