Council Greenlights Service Deals with External Firms

On May 27, the Sedona City Council greenlit a framework for master service agreements (MSAs) aimed at streamlining the procurement of on-call professional engineering services. This initiative enables city staff to secure consulting contracts without needing individual council approvals.

Each contract will be capped at $300,000, with a maximum of $1 million allocated over three years across six categories: wastewater, architecture, general engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, structural engineering, and quality assurance services.

Wastewater Director Roxanne Holland stated that her department plans to utilize the MSAs for smaller-scale design projects, including pipeline and drain bed replacements. Public Works Director Kurt Harris echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for agility in handling smaller projects.

Out-of-Region Firms

City procurement officer Ian Coubrough noted that 34 proposals were submitted in response to a request issued on December 30, 2024. Ultimately, 23 firms were selected to enter into MSAs, which are set to continue through fiscal year 2028, enhancing the efficiency of the contracting process.

“These are our business partners. We need to work with them towards mutual interests,” Coubrough remarked. However, when Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella inquired about the locality of the selected firms, Coubrough mentioned that specific local metrics were not tracked, although a few firms operate locally.

The list of awarded firms includes a diverse range of engineering entities, with none based in the Verde Valley. Notable mentions are Advanced Structural Engineering in Scottsdale and Carollo Engineers in Phoenix.

Spending Cap

Concerns about the spending limits arose among council members. Councilman Pete Furman questioned why the proposed limit for these contracts diverged from the city manager’s discretionary cap of $100,000. Fellow Councilman Brian Fultz echoed this sentiment, pushing for a cohesive policy regarding signature authority.

City Manager Anette Spickard reassured the council that a broader procurement policy update is in the works, addressing these concerns. “We don’t write blank checks for a million dollars, which is what this appears to allow,” Fultz commented.

Coubrough offered an option to amend the motion, suggesting that any work orders exceeding $100,000 could be brought back to the council for further approval. Kinsella proposed a modified cap of $150,000, indicating a preference for oversight.

The council reached a consensus, agreeing to approve the agreements while stipulating that any items exceeding the city manager’s signing authority need to be reviewed by the council. The vote passed unanimously, pending the stipulation regarding signature authority.