Regardless, Woltman said, such contracts are generally awarded in conjunction with a purchase order which spells out the terms and may include a “hold harmless” clause indemnifying the city from liability.
“A purchase order is a contract and I would think there would be one here,” said Woltman. “Why there wasn’t, I don’t know, I only know what crosses my desk.”
Another section of the procurement policy states that all work done in city-owned buildings should be subject to prevailing wages negotiated between various unions and the state Department of Labor.
“It is extremely important to make sure that bidders/proposers understand that prevailing wages apply for any public works project in city buildings regardless of the dollar value of the contract,” the policy reads.
Alderwoman Jennifer Fuentes (Working Families-Ward 5), who is active in union affairs, said prevailing wages for laborers of the sort employed at the King’s Inn site are $25 per hour plus health and other benefits. But workers at the site told police that the crew was paid $10 per hour for the work.
“It was clearly a prevailing-wage job,” said Fuentes. “We obviously have a problem with our procurement policy if this is happening.”
The mayor willfully broke the law. Moreover he did so in plain view. And to cap it off, with the crime exposed and clear, there is no prosecution by the District Attorney, Carnright, or any complaint by the man who would replace him, Mr Sennet.
Sort of looks like Deadwood meets Mayberry.
Well Gerald, you are right as rain on this one. This Mayor is simply an elitist and runs elitism. He needs a sign that flashes “Elitist” in bright red letters on him. Look at his latest proposal to do away with municipal garbage pickup altogether. Sounds like he is for the people huh? [BTW, Kingston Times, good photo–he looks so MUCH like BOSS TWEED in it!!!]
I’m sure this comes as NO SURPRISE to anyone paying attention (and not getting pay outs) to the politics of this City. The mayor and so many other politicians in this City presume that their constituents are fools–while I’m sure some are, there are a few of us who see right through the rampant corruption and cronyism and willful inefficiencies.