A question on the legality of buying equipment without bids raised an uproar with aldermen this week.
Several weeks ago the council voted 4-3 to bypass the mandated bidding process for purchases over $2,500 and bought a $6,700 sewer camera.
At the time, Ald. Jack Castelloni argued that because it was neither a budgeted item nor an emergency, a super-majority vote, with five of the city’s seven aldermen approving, was required to approve the purchase. City Attorney Medard Narko disagreed.
More Top Picks Best Bike Locks For Commuters
When the council voted 4-3 this week to pay $117 bill for additional equipment for the camera, Castelloni again argued that a super-majority vote was needed. Ald. Frank Smith called Castelloni “a tempest in a teapot” who implied the council acted illegally.