North Bay City Council awarded a five-year contract for $ 822,200 to Neptune Security Services Inc. for parking enforcement and security services during its regular meeting, Tuesday.
Following a request for proposal (RFP) process, Neptune Security's submission scored highest and was deemed to provide the best overall value to the City of North Bay. The evaluation considered company experience, transition plan, employee retention, employee development and price, according to the associated staff report.
Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch noted the contract has a "12 to 13 per cent increase" over the previous five-year term and is going to a company new to the role in North Bay. The company currently contracted for parking enforcement and security services — The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires (Ottawa Division) — placed second in the evaluation process. That contract expires as of August 1.
"There are opportunities for the current staff to stay on," advised Vrebosch, adding "it's not going to the same for them. It's going to be a change, unfortunately. It's a fair and competitive process and I'm hoping everything will go well with this new company."
Coun. Marcus Tignanelli expanded on those sentiments with, "While we understand there are cost savings to be found, we hope that these savings are found through the administration levels of the security company receiving the contract and not by simply rehiring the same commissionaires that we have and cutting their salary."
The contract — subject to the direction of the City's by-law enforcement coordinator — includes parking enforcement by two officers on foot patrol in the downtown area, as well as mobile enforcement patrols by the supervisor in all areas of the City for parking and other by-law enforcement. The detail also provides evening security at the waterfront marina, plus security at the entrance to City Hall and outside of the Provincial Offences Courtroom.
According to the report, "The bid price of $ 822,200 from Neptune Security Services Inc. represents a total cost over the five-year term based on the estimated hours specified in the RFP. Under the terms of the contract, the City will pay the hourly rate specified for each position and is not bound to any specific quantities. The actual quantity and the value of the work requested will vary based on operational requirements."
Tignanelli added "I hope the company is listening. We do have good commissionaires right now. It's a job that it's tough to get good candidates for because they are always getting yelled at by our citizens — it's not a pretty job. I think we have some dedicated individuals — a few who have been with us for over a decade — and hopefully, they are respected in the process."
