Light Squabble Over Southwest Recreation Contract

Things look dim for the softball fields at Southwest Recreation Center for at least a few more weeks.

City leaders were expected to vote on a nearly $105,000 contract to replace lights, poles, wiring and other components of the nearly 30-year-old lighting systems at the ballfields during their meeting Tuesday.

But after hearing comments about cost difference and warranties between the contracts, city leaders asked to find out more about the different lighting systems and will decide whether or not to award the contract to Riley Electric at the April 2 meeting.

“This is silly. It needs to be done,” said commissioner Harriet Crozier, who wanted to go forward with the project, although, initially awarding the contract failed to gain a majority of support from the commission.

Thomas Cook of Himes Electric, a competing bidder on the contract, talked about the nearly $5,000 difference and the warranty offered for the lighting during the commission's public comment portion of the meeting.

The Musco Sports lighting system could save the city more than $500 monthly based on 300 hours of use over the Hubbell Sports one, Cook said. Himes is also offering a 25-year warranty on all components for the lighting system.

Riley's warranty is five years on the ballasts and other parts, and 15 years on the lamps.

“The warranty is not the same and energy consumption is not the same,” Cook said. “We recommend you award to us. We feel it’s the best option for the city.”

Glenn Harwood said the recommendation to go with Riley Electric is based on cost, not any other reason.

Himes was awarded last year. This year, Riley came in with a lower cost, he said. Both companies are able to install the light systems and both meet requirements to work for the city, so cost is the driving factor, Harwood said. Both lighting systems are in use at facilities throughout the city.

Harwood said moving forward is imperative since a section of lights recently fell and the metal is too thin to be able to replace it on the pole.

“There’s no vested interest on the city,” Harwood said, adding that Cook is representing a company that was not awarded the contract.

Officials also unanimously for the Highland Recreation Center Tuesday.

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