Paint sprayer cause for discussion at White Hall council meeting
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By Carmen Ensinger
The purchase of a nearly $3,000 paint sprayer without council approval caused extensive discussion at the June 9 White Hall City Council meeting.
When it came time for approval of the bills, Alderman Ryan McMillen saw where there was listed an item for a paint sprayer that he remembered being discussed at a previous council meeting, but not being approved for purchase.
At a previous meeting, Casey Gillis, Head of Street and Alley and Sanitary Sewer, came to the council wanting to purchase a paint sprayer that will be used to paint the curbs in preparation for the Lions Club Fourth of July Parade, which is coming up at the end of June.
Apparently, Gillis did not get any bids and only submitted the one bid on the sprayer he had picked out that he thought would work for the job ahead.
McMillen related how the meeting went.
“We looked at the machine they presented to us and the comment was made that it was the last minute and they didn’t get it compared to anything else,” he said. “They were told to go back and make sure that was the machine we needed and then three days later it was bought.”
Mayor Mike Kleidon said he was under the impression that they (Street and Alley Dept.) were to pick out the one they wanted and then it would be purchased.
However, McMillen noted that $3,000 was a lot of money to be spent without prior council approval.
He was corrected that the amount for the paint sprayer was a little over $2,600, not $3,000.
“Still, that is a lot of money to go through the council without our approval,” he said. “So, it’s not on the agenda tonight.”
Mayor Kleidon said he was going to have McMillen put it on the agenda last month but he (McMillen) didn’t get it on there.
“There were several items I wanted you to get on there that you didn’t get on there,” Kleidon said.
McMillen said he understood.
“I’m just questioning why we bought it,” McMillen said.
For a little clarification, the need for the paint sprayer now is because the city will be using the paint sprayer to, among other things, spray paint the curbs along main street for the Lions Club Fourth of July Parade, which is scheduled for June 25 this year.
While she didn’t necessarily disagree with the purchase of the paint sprayer, Alderwoman Pam VanMeter did agree with McMillen on things being brought before the council before they are acted on, as well as more than one bid being presented.
“If anyone is going to bring something to the council, you have to have at least two bids,” she said. “We have talked about that the three years I have been on this council. Unless it is something like a part for the water plant that doesn’t have multiple manufacturers and only one company makes it.”
In the end, the council paid all of the claims except the claim for the paint sprayer and it was put on the agenda to be paid for next month.
