<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
An objection from the owner of a local woodworking company prompted city officials on Monday to hold off on a plan to build a new display case at City Hall.
Art Garabedian, the owner of Art’s Wood Shop and School of Woodworking at 240 Portage Road, successfully lobbied city leaders for a chance to submit a bid for the display case project.
Mayor Paul Dyster’s administration had asked the council to approve a construction agreement for $8,640 with Viola Cabinet Co., which has a Niagara Falls address of 4205 Hyde Park Blvd. but is actually in the Town of Niagara.
Garabedian suggested officials should be offering this type of work to companies within the city limits.
“I’d like an opportunity to bid on it,” Garabedian said.
The city wants to build a cherry wood display cabinet to hold items donated by various community groups, sports figures and organizations. The project stems from a recommendation made last year by former council chairman Chris Robins who suggested a case might be a good way for the city to allow residents to enjoy items that worthy of public display. Funding for the construction of the display case would come from a portion of the interest earned on the city’s share of casino revenue.
The construction contract did not have to be bid because the amount did not exceed $10,000. Dyster and City Administrator Donna Owens said Viola Cabinet Co. was recommended for the job by the Department of Public Works because the company has done quality work for the city in the past. Dyster agreed to pull the resolution from consideration in an effort to give Garabedian’s company a chance to submit a bid of its own.
“We don’t have to bid it because it is under $10,000, but if there is more than one company that is interested, then we could institute that process,” Dyster said.
In Other matters, the council:
• Approved a bid of $3.5 million by Sue-Perior Contracting and Paving for the reconstruction of 10th Street.
• Received notice from Owens that the administration is planning to work with the Code Enforcement Department on a code violations blitz along Main Street. Owens said the effort would likely occur on weekends, with inspectors being called in for overtime duty at a cost of about $3,000.
• Approved a $40,000 contribution to the Niagara Military Affairs Council. Funding will be pulled from the city’s 2009 economic development casino funds.
• Authorized the spending of $4,250 in economic development casino funds to cover the city’s portion of the cost for the appraisal of the old Rainbow Mall building as part of the Niagara County Community College Culinary Institute project. The original appraisal cost was estimated at $10,000, with the city agreeing to pay $5,000. The actual appraisal came in at $18,500, requiring the city to pay the additional $4,250.
