Hollister council members Monday unanimously approved spending $88,000 on new equipment for an expansion to the skate park, but did so without going out for multiple bids.
Council members in the fall approved allocating funds toward an expansion to the skate park at Veterans Memorial Park to expand offerings for an increasingly popular activity. The city is also looking at installing smaller “skate spots” at other local parks, partly to deter skaters from illegally using public facilities such as the Veterans Memorial Building downtown.
Hollister officials expect it to take 45 to 60 days for the equipment to arrive, with an expectation that city employees will install it.
When questioned by council members Monday on the non-bid facet of the arrangement, City Manager Bill Avera alluded to minimum dollar requirements for bids on labor costs. There was no mention of any minimum mandates for capital purchases like the one OK’d Monday.
A staff report noted how the Recreation Department allowed users input on the design process for the skate park expansion. The city is buying the equipment from American Ramp Company, but officials did not request bids from any other businesses. Avera could not be reached immediately Tuesday to comment further on bidding rules. Mayor Ignacio Velazquez in a follow-up interview mentioned how there is a variety of preferred, specific ramps and other equipment being purchased so it made competitive bidding more complicated.
“It’s not like we’re building a building,” Velazquez said. “You put that out to bid. You’re buying pieces.”
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