Another hearing set on bidding process

The City Council will hold another public hearing today on a proposal to not always select the lowest bidder when awarding contracts.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, as part of the council meeting.

The first public hearing on the proposed change in the contracts-award policy was in August, but Mayor Reginald Spinello asked for a postponement on a council vote until the city's charter review commission could examine the issue.

The commission recommended approving the change, city spokeswoman Lisa Travatello said.

Current Glen Cove law requires the city to accept the lowest bid that meets the requirements of a project.

The proposed change would allow officials to make decisions based upon "best value," which includes factors such as quality, reliability and efficiency, in addition to cost.

A 2014 report by the state comptroller's office said municipalities that choose a "best value" procedure must use "objective and quantifiable standards" in evaluating bidders or provide a written justification for choosing a bidder based upon best value.