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Steve Myers
Site Admin
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The City Council took steps Wednesday to resolve several outstanding bills totaling more than $130,000 that the previous council and Mayor Don Williamson fought over.
The bills cover more than $80,000 in outside attorney fees and video recording fees for the council from this year. They also include paying more than $50,000 in no-bid contracts ordered by Williamson to remove trees, limbs and shrubs, mow and trim areas and demolish houses in 2004.
City Transportation Director William Ayre said during the meeting that Williamson thought he had the authority to act in what were emergency situations. He said the vendors did a good job and offered fair prices.
"We do apologize to the council (for not seeking bids)," Ayre said. "We've been doing right since."
The attorney fees cover costs mostly associated with cases involving the mayor and the council while the videotaping service had been contracted by the council without seeking bids. The council is now in the process of seeking bids on the service.
Council President Darryl E. Buchanan said if the bills aren't paid, the vendors would sue and the city would probably "quadruple" its costs. He and other members said the moves help resolve a war between the council and the mayor.
But a debate arose over who should represent the council in three remaining cases, with the council narrowly voting to consider whether to fire its attorney, Loyst Fletcher on Monday. Some members said Fletcher should continue because of his history with the cases while others argued the council should sever old ties.
Paying the bills
The council voted to consider paying the following outstanding bills during its meeting Monday:
Vendor Service Payment
Loyst Fletcher Council attorney fees $72,023
Rock Solid Demolition and Recycling Housing demolition $26,700
Ford Communications LLC Tree removal $15,660
VIP Lawncare Mowing and trimming $10,810
Spectacle Productions Council meeting videotaping $8,516
Total $133,709
Full Story:
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-33/113406060814580.xml&coll=5 |
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Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:48 pm |
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