Controversial Purchasing Resolution Passes

A controversial resolution establishing purchasing and bidding procedures for the city of Monroe was again met with feedback from the community at Tuesday’s June 13, 2023 meeting, as the members of the city council brought the matter back for further discussion. When the resolution came up for the first time for council consideration, there was considerable backlash directed at council members and Mayor Friday Ellis. Before there was any discussion on the resolution, Council President Kema Dawson had Kurt Kelly from Purchasing address the matter to explain how the purchasing policy works and why changes were made. Kelly said that what the city is doing “mirrors” what the state limits on what they can spend on materials and supplies for public work projects for construction. He said that moving from $30,000 to $250,000 is following state law and doing what other cities have done, implying that Monroe, for its size, is playing catch-up. He said that other entities within the parish, such as the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, Ouachita Parish School Board, and even Monroe City School Board, are doing the same regarding its construction projects. He said the city is changing some internal policies within Public Works from what it used to do, but everything is done according to state law. Projects over $250,000 must-have sealed bids. Projects from $30,000 to 250,000 will allow the city to get three “quotes”, not necessarily sealed bids. Department heads used to have to get quotes from $5,000 to $29,999, but now Public Works will get three quotes. He said that DBEs will be involved and that nothing is going to change. There will be oversight in addition to internal/external audit procedures in place in compliance with state law.

Kelly said that he is asking that council members “trust” Public Works to do its job, just as their constituents “trust” them to do their jobs as council members. City attorney Brandon Creekbaum said that changes in state law 2021 cover DBEs, and they will be protected, and the council will have oversight at all times. He said constant updates will keep them informed of the project’s progress, as the agreement between the council and the city will be done to best practice policies under the Louisiana Auditor’s office and Attorney General’s office. He told council members that the bid limit was $5,000 in 1997, then it went to $100,000 in 2005, $150,000 in 2009, and now $250,000 in 2020.

That did little to convince those who spoke out against council members who were poised to vote on the resolution. The theme was about “inclusion,” as there were cries of “inclusion” for those they see as being left out. Getting more DBE involvement has always been an issue, as Kelly would acknowledge, saying that things “can be better.” Kenya Robinson, executive director of the Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, asked why go from 30,000 to 250,000 when there are still issues at the $30,000 level. Robinson said those she represents believe the ball has been dropped, wanting to know how they can get their name in the hat. She asked for more training and transparency but has gotten nothing, as all they ask for is fairness. She also said that she has been in contact with Kelly and several councilpersons doing all she could, but that things are in the council’s hands before they vote. The answers that came from the council were not satisfactory, as time at the podium was restricted to three minutes exactly by council president Dawson. There was more time for discussion between council members, those at the podium, and among themselves, as there was no universal agreement before the vote. District 3 Councilwoman Juanita Woods said that, at times, she was “disregarded” in some of her past comments. Rules were changed by Dawson not allowing anyone follow-up questions to the council, only three minutes. District 4 Councilman Carday Marshall felt that there should have been more dialogue. Ultimately, Gretchen Ezernack, Doug Harvey, and Kema Dawson voted for passage. Juanita Woods and Carday Marshall voted no.