LAKEPORT >> The Board of Supervisors unanimously denied an appeal of an aquatic weed management contract on Tuesday.
The appeal, which was submitted by Upper Lake-based Pestmaster Services, stems from the contract being awarded to Clean Lakes, Inc. A total of approximately 230 acres across the lake are treated for aquatic weeds.
“In previous years, we’ve split the project and hired two contractors, and last year Pestmaster Services and Clean Lakes were both hired to treat 58.8 acres and 106.15 acres, respectively,” De Leon explained. However, because of budgetary constraints the acreage awarded to Pestmaster was reduced, as Clean Lakes fees were $300 to $400 less per acre.
This year, the entire project was awarded to Clean Lakes.
“Staff cannot justify paying 67 percent more per acre,” De Leon added.
Pestmaster Services quoted a total project cost of nearly $350,000, while Clean Lakes quoted a total of a little less than $210,000.
After Pestmaster Services Franchise Owner Dennis Yows, questioned the company’s ability to do the work at such a cheaper price, Drew Mcnabb of Clean Lakes answered that purchasing herbicides and supplies in aggregate volume was the reason.
Yows also argued that Clean Lakes was unreliable, citing an incident from 2011 when Clean Lakes did not perform follow-up treatments in several areas in north Lakeport and along the Northshore.
“Clean Lakes completed their contracted work,” De Leon said. “Although their reasons for leaving were plausible, Clean Lakes left our area rather abruptly and without any notice, and we were not pleased with that.”
The company was not hired for the following two years after the incident. In 2014, Clean Lakes entered an agreement with the county and “their work was performed in accordance with our requirements,” according to De Leon.
Another point of contention for Yows was the county’s not showing a preference for a local vendor, as Clean Lakes is based in Martinez.
However, the county’s ordinance for local vendor preference states that competing bids must be within 10 percent of each other, or a maximum of $10,000.
“Our board has always been very cognizant to support local business,” District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington said.
During public comment, Eli Kersh of Alameda-based Aquatic Environments addressed the board.
According to Kersh, Aquatic Environments was denied the contract because of “non-responsiveness.” He also claimed the request for proposals was incomplete.
Kersh mentioned intention to appeal the contract, which the board said he could not do.
“The appeal has to be with 72 hours of being notified of the contract’s award,” County Counsel Anita Grant said.
Farrington also explained that an appeal cannot be filed when a former appellant’s case is being heard.
After the appeals denial, the board unanimously approved the contract with Clean Lakes, which will be paid with geothermal royalties and transient occupancy tax funds.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
