Consultant contract for Safe Streets grant fails first reading after board questions travel cap

A proposed consulting agreement with LaneShift LLC to administer a $1 million Safe Streets for All grant did not pass first reading after aldermen questioned the contract’s travel budget and whether the city should cap travel expenses.

Assistant City Administrator April White presented the procurement and said the steering committee ranked LaneShift highest among four respondents and that the proposed contract had a base not-to-exceed amount of $111,425 (excluding estimated travel of $10,000). Several aldermen said the contract left travel costs open and asked whether the contract could cap travel or otherwise limit reimbursement.

Alderman Ross and others asked what incentive the consultant would have to limit travel costs. Alderman Recker asked about procurement oversight and whether staff should require a cap. Alderman Hoffman asked if travel could be capped at $10,000. White said travel was estimated at $10,000 in the contract but the contract language did not set a hard cap; the contract as presented did not define the consultant’s exact travel schedule.

A motion to approve the agreement (first reading) was made and seconded. The roll call that followed included at least one recorded “no” vote and confusion in the chamber about whether the motion carried; at one point the mayor stated the motion had failed. The board did not adopt the contract at first reading and staff will return with revised language or additional options.