Othello city janitorial contract comes with amendment

OTHELLO — Othello City Council members on Jan. 25 approved a contract for a new janitorial service at Othello City Hall, with amendments, since the co-owner of the company awarded the contract already works at the city hall.

Mayor Shawn Logan said the city’s previous janitorial contractor notified city officials the company wouldn’t be renewing its contract, and when the contract went out for bid the city only received one response. The contract was awarded to E&H Renovations, whose co-owner is deputy city clerk Yvonne Hernandez.

Council member Cory Everett asked if hiring a current employee for a second job violated city policy. Logan said city policy is designed to avoid a potential conflict of interest, but in this case there wasn’t one, because there was only one bidder for the job.

Everett asked if there was provision for ending the janitorial contract if Hernandez was terminated by the city. Logan said it would be up to the council.

Logan added the contract was submitted to the council for review due to the circumstances. Council members added a clause stating the contract would end if Hernandez was terminated.