2001-02-13CITY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: February 13, 2001
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pam McGrath, Tim Cassidy, Dennis Tarsook
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Palmer, Bob Mead
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Don Preston
RECORDER: Tina Cassidy
Cassidy calls the meeting to order at 10:30 and explains that the propose of this meeting
is to consider the two proposals that were submitted to the City on the downtown parking
lot redesign project. Two proposals had been submitted; one from BETA Engineering
and one from the Cecil Group, partnering with Meridian Engineering.
Members discuss the fact that the proposal submitted by the Cecil Group / Meridian
Engineering is less expensive ($82,600) than the proposal submitted by BETA ($88,000)
and believe that the law indicates that the lowest bid should be the one the City accepts.
Cassidy states that because this is a contract for design services and not for the purchase
of goods, the committee could choose the proposal with the higher figure if it felt it was
superior to the lower-cost proposal. She adds that this comment shouldn't be interpreted
as a commentary on the merits of the lower-cost proposal, but rather she wants the
committee to know that they can choose either one, with justification.
Don Preston, who is working with the commission on this project, notes that the
Cecil / Meridian proposal did not contain examples and illustrations of past performances
or their ability to do this work. BETA provided this information, and it shows that they
have conducted very similar studies for other communities. McGrath states that the
BETA proposal is comprehensive and well put together. She states that this is the first
time in many years that the City has considered putting significant investment in the lots,
and will probably be the last time for many years to come. It would not be wise for the
City to "skimp" on the front end of such an important pmjeet.
Tarsook states that in his opinion, the BETA proposal is a good one, and he would
support hiring that firm. He reminds Cassidy that the City must get approval from the
owners of one of the off-street lots to perform the work. Cassidy says that she will pose
the question to the City Solicitor.
Following a brief discussion, members of the commission agree to hire BETA to perform
the design services requested in the RFP, dependent on the time frame for completion of
the work. Members ask Cassidy to obtain a timetable for completing design plans and
construction drawings. Cassidy states that she will obtain that for the commission.
There being no other business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:15 a.m.