City panel to suggest criteria for awarding contracts
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Maintaining that there's no problem with the way the city awards contracts, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced yesterday the creation of a panel to bring in the best governmental practices.
Included on the commission will be city Councilmen Ricky Burgess and Patrick Dowd, mayor's office representatives and executives with U.S. Steel Corp., Duquesne Light Co., the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the state Department of General Services and others.
It will meet within a month, hire a consultant, and should be done six months after.
"I anticipate adopting [its recommendations] across the board," he said.
This year, a no-bid Pittsburgh Parking Authority lease for an electronic billboard generated controversy, as did a construction management contract and parking lot leases granted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Also, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority used no competitive process for choosing professionals that crafted a financing package involving $18.5 million in insurance premiums, consulting fees and payments to terminate 1-year-old contracts.
"I don't believe that any selection or decision has been made that was done inappropriately," Mr. Ravenstahl said. The commission is "just a way for us to get better."
In June, Mr. Ravenstahl vetoed campaign finance reform legislation that would have compelled big donors to disclose any city contracts, among other things. Yesterday he said he would accept disclosure of contributions by contractors if the commission recommends that.
"Contractors should be required to disclose any relationships that they have with representatives, or lobbyists, or people who are helping them get business with the city," suggested Controller Michael Lamb, who was not named to the panel.
While the commission works, city departments will complete "justification forms" explaining the criteria for all contracts awarded. Those will be available on the city's Web site.
First Published October 1, 2008 12:00 am
