Inquiring minds wanted to know if the $398,000 agenda item in association to the Trane project was in reality a phase two change order or a new project.
Well, at least one inquiring mind wanted to know and that mind belongs to former commissioner Ben Hasan.
Interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin failed to go through the proper channels before placing this on the agenda for the commissioners to approve. There is nothing really new or shocking about this procedure; just this time it was caught.
Hasan addressed the commissioners as to the Trane project which was passed when he was on the commission and nowhere was mentioned a phase 2 in the contractual stipulations.
While serving alongside Ben Hasan, I can tell you first hand that he knows how to read, interpret, dissect and connect the dots when it comes to a contract. I have witnessed several contracts that had to be sent back for a rewrite because of his knowledge.
This also proved to be the case with this particular item, it indeed needed another look.
Procurement Director Geri Sams stated that this process was not vetted properly and lacked integrity protection. Also having worked with Sams, I can say that she has never lost a procurement appeal.
Sams crosses the T’s and dots the I’s.
Finance Director Donna Willams stated the finance department only received the information that very morning at 9:30 a.m. and there was not enough time to take an in-depth look and give an approval.
It also seems that the city attorney’s office had not taken a look at the item.
The company that is to receive the funds for overseeing the progress of the building of the program is NV5.
No one representing NV5 was in attendance at the meeting; however, the company’s spokesperson, Aldo Mazzaferro, called from New York.
He stated that NV5 representatives walked the sites and looked over Trane’s shoulder as the work was being done. It looks to me like with all the money on the table that they would be making, NV5 could afford a plane ticket so someone from their company would be in Augusta’s chambers to discuss this project.
On the other hand, Trane’s accounts manager was at the podium. When asked if this was phase two or a change order, he responded that Trane “is neutral on that.”
Commissioner Jordan Johnson asked Lampkin if the “ask” was for a phase two or a change order? After a pregnant pause, Lampkin finally stated, “We can call it a change order.”
This prompted Commissioner Bobby Williams to make a motion that in order for all entities to have the time to study the issue that he would make the motion to bring it back before the commission on April 8. The motion received a second and passed 8 yes and 1 no.
Commissioner Guilfoyle was not in attendance and the lone no vote was from Commissioner Catherine McKnight.
Commissioner McKnight stated that “because they are in a time sensitive situation and we have discussed this phase two and therefore waiting 30 days is kicking the can down the road again.”
Hasan had this to say: “I appreciate that interim Director Lampkin acknowledged that there was no phase two to the project. However, I still have concerns with him saying what he is suggesting is a change order.”
Stay tuned for April 6, and let’s see what takes place; let’s also see how much the story has changed by then.
As usual, there were a couple of items on the Engineering Committee portion of the agenda, and as usual, no straightforward or fundamentally sound answers were given to any of the questions asked..
Commissioner Johnson asked for an update on the right of way maintenance schedule for 2024. As usual, somewhere in the answer was the ” no resources” excuse given.
And by the way, the maintenance is on a as needed basis, not a regular schedule. They only have one crew. Ok. No resources or no crews…which is it?
Where are the millions a year dollars collected in the Stormwater Fee program? The last presentation of the program showed a surplus of funds and now we are being told the money is no longer there.
It is the same ole mumbling and stumbling answers.
The next item that came up was the trash haulers solid waste and recyclables collection fees with Georgia Waste Systems, LLC. This would be for $21.86 a month per household for the period between July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
Quick math shows that’s $262.32 and that is far less than what is being shown on the property tax bill for garbage services. So is this added to the already stated charge?
Nothing ever goes down in price or cost, so this too was moved to a future meeting until commissioners can find another synonym for the word “tax.”
With more tricks and illusions than a Vegas magician, Augusta’s leaders and employees can make more and more money disappear and with nothing to show for it.
Taxpayers, it is past time for a forensic audit.
Some commissioners, as well as department directors, claim a forensic audit will cost millions and take years. That’s really not the case. The obstructionists also state forensic audits are used for criminal prosecutions.
A fun fact is that they are and can be used for a number of reasons. Why are the leaders so afraid of a forensic audit?
During this election cycle of commissioners, we need to ask the question of everyone that is running for re-election for the first time: “When elected, will you vote Yes for a forensic audit?”
If the answer is no, encourage them to explain fully their reasons for not supporting.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
