2002-12-19 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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passed a business card down to me and did not indicate at that meeting who this person was. When I got the card, it was obvious that it was a relative and I surmised it was her son. When I questioned the City Attorney at that point about the appropriateness, he indicated to me also that as long as Ms. Nelson doesn't derive direct benefit from this business relationship, he felt it was okay. I continued to be concerned because she did not mention that the individual on the card was a relative. The next day, I received a phone call from Jason Nelson, stating that he had heard from his mother that I had been trying to get in contact with him. The reality was that I had not called him or Ms. Nelson at all. I began to feel that I was being coerced into forming a business relationship with Councilmember Nelson's son. I had also noticed that Jason's company name, RK7 Computers, was showing up on e-mails I was receiving from Councilmember Nelson. At some point, I did discuss the situation with Councilmember Nelson, indicating that if she were considering running for re-election, that having her son being responsible for the repair and purchase of the City's computers would not look good to the residents. Despite being uncomfortable with this situation, I did agree to allow Mr. Nelson to take my computer off site for repairs. Mr. Nelson felt very confident that he could remove the virus that had been troubling my computer and restore it to a workable condition. Unfortunately, when my computer was returned, it did not work at all and I was then faced with a very difficult dilemma. Other Staff computers were beginning to be impacted by the same virus that had infected my machine so I brought it up to the Council that purchasing new equipment should be considered, especially given the age of these computers. Mr. Nelson did agree that perhaps replacing computers would be the best solution. Staff received an outside, independent estimate that to replace the computers and establish a server situation that would meet the City's increasing storage demands, the cost would be approximately $25,000. Based on this information, which was provided to all interested vendors and they were invited to submit quotes. Three responsible quotes were received. I later received a letter from Mr. Nelson stating he was removing his quote from further consideration because of philosophical differences with the City. Again, this difference of opinion and my determination to have a purchasing process that protected the integrity of the City should not to be classified as or even considered an unsatisfactory performance on my part. Ms. Nelson and I had a difference of opinion and it should have been left at that. The following is a list of my major accomplishments for this year. Without doubt, the reason these are listed as accomplishments is also through the efforts of staff to assist me in getting much of this work done.