Moses Lake answers printing bid questions

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake City Council was asked why they didn't solicit bids for a recent printing and mailing job that was ultimately given to two out-of-city companies.

The question was posed by Columbia Basin Printing president Harlan Beagley, who said he was concerned to see a recent city water quality report was printed by Commercial Printing Inc. and mailed to city residents by Condon Mailing Service, both of which are located in Wenatchee.

Columbia Basin Printing is the parent company of the Columbia Basin Herald, of which Beagley is the publisher.

"As a business representative, citizen and as a director in the chamber of commerce we're continually asking people in our area to shop local," Beagley told council members. "There's really in my mind no excuse that this council paid almost $6,000 to Wenatchee businesses when we really need a chance to bid on that here, and not just my business."

Unlike with public works projects, the city was not required to go to bid on the job, explained City Manager Joe Gavinski.

"As far as services and materials we're allowed to get quotes on jobs up to $15,000," Gavinski said.

Washington state cities with a population of 20,000 or more aren't required to seek competitive bids for the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment not associated with a public work, according to the Bidding Book for Washington Cities and Towns, which was published by the Municipal Research and Services Center in 2010.

Councilman Dick Deane said he was previously unaware of Columbia Basin Printing's existence and asked why Beagley hadn't offered the company's services before.

"We've been in business for 70 years, paying taxes and making payroll," Beagley responded. "When I saw the permit from Condon, that made me aware that you were printing out of town."

He was assured by Gavinski and Mayor Jon Lane that when the mailer is printed next year the city will take care to solicit local quotes.

"We appreciate you bringing this to us," Lane told Beagley. "We would love to look at it and if it makes sense we always want to shop locally; that's certainly our agenda too."