COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Columbia County's Lakeshore Hospital Authority has proven time and time again that it does not represent the people who foot the bill for its existence, the taxpayers of Columbia County. Last night, this Governor appointed board out did itself by first banning public comment and then flaunting the fact that the General Manager, past Republican chieftain and political operative, Jackson P. (Jack) Berry, could facilitate a secret procurement process for professional services without the knowledge of this handpicked board.
The Observer fielded many complaints about the Berry real-estate deals and referred those folks to the Justice Department. The Authority was put under investigation. It is not clear what happened to that investigation.
Legislative Intent - Procurement: It's Florida - What's that?
Section 287 of the FL Statutes begins this way:
The Legislature recognizes that fair and open competition is a basic tenet of public procurement; that such competition reduces the appearance and opportunity for favoritism and inspires public confidence... and that documentation of the acts taken and effective monitoring mechanisms are important means of curbing any improprieties and establishing public confidence in the process by which ... contractual services are procured. It is essential to the effective and ethical procurement of... contractual services that there be a system of uniform procedures to be utilized by state agencies in managing and procuring... contractual services; that detailed justification of agency decisions in the procurement of... contractual services be maintained; and that adherence by the agency and the vendor to specific ethical considerations be required.
The purpose of the renovation: To build on spec a doctor's office.
The Law:
Each agency shall publicly announce, in a uniform and consistent manner, each occasion when professional services must be purchased for a project that basic construction cost of which is estimated by the agency to exceed... $250,000.
In discussions, which went nowhere last year, the value of the renovation was discussed to be in the neighborhood of $400,000, which is well over the $250,000 threshold required for competitive sealed bidding.
During the meeting, General Manager Berry did not announce where the request for bids was advertised, because it was not. It is uncertain when and where the bids were opened.
One of the responding companies, GTC Design Group, the low bidder, who was awarded the contract last night, is in the process of being sold and as of last Thursday the sale was not complete, causing the County to withdraw an item involving GTC Design Group.
Board member Dr. Waseem Khan, the only non republican on the Board, objected to the Authority building a doctor's office on spec. Mr. Berry blew him off.
After Mr. Berry told Dr. Khan that he did not have a guaranteed tenant for the proposed renovated property, Dr. Khan asked for a show of good faith from the purported tenant.
Mr. Berry told him "that was impossible."
When Dr. Khan asked to see the floor plan, Mr. Berry told him he could not see it.
The floor plan was part of the bid packet.
It is not clear why the taxpayers of Columbia County are financing the building of a doctor's office by the Lakeshore Hospital Authority, as this seems to be something that could clearly be financed by the private sector.
Board member Lori Chancy opined that if Mr. Berry asked for too much the purported tenant, "Could just rent a place."
During the meeting, General Manager Berry did not announce where the request for bids was advertised, because it was not. It is uncertain when and where the bids were opened.
One of the responding companies, GTC Design Group, the low bidder, who was awarded the contract last night, is in the process of being sold and as of last Thursday the sale was not complete, causing the County to withdraw an item involving GTC Design Group.
Board member Dr. Waseem Khan, the only non republican on the Board, objected to the Authority building a doctor's office on spec. Mr. Berry blew him off.
After Mr. Berry told Dr. Khan that he did not have a guaranteed tenant for the proposed renovated property, Dr. Khan asked for a show of good faith from the purported tenant.
Mr. Berry told him "that was impossible."
Just Speculation
Dr. Khan told the Board, "This whole thing is just speculation."When Dr. Khan asked to see the floor plan, Mr. Berry told him he could not see it.
The floor plan was part of the bid packet.
It is not clear why the taxpayers of Columbia County are financing the building of a doctor's office by the Lakeshore Hospital Authority, as this seems to be something that could clearly be financed by the private sector.
Board member Lori Chancy opined that if Mr. Berry asked for too much the purported tenant, "Could just rent a place."
No Public Comments
Shortly after the conversation concluded, Board Chairman and Representative Elizabeth Porter's chief legislative aide, Koby Adams, announced that there would no longer be a time for public comments on the agenda.
Mr. Adams announced that if a member of the public wanted to make public comments they must put them in writing at least 15 days before the meeting so that the board could prepare a response.
Not one member of the Governor appointed board objected.
After the meeting, Board member Mark Vann defended the Republican Chairman. Mr. Vann said, "The Supreme Court of Florida said no public body in Florida had to take comments. That is his choice."
Mr. Adams announced that if a member of the public wanted to make public comments they must put them in writing at least 15 days before the meeting so that the board could prepare a response.
Not one member of the Governor appointed board objected.
After the meeting, Board member Mark Vann defended the Republican Chairman. Mr. Vann said, "The Supreme Court of Florida said no public body in Florida had to take comments. That is his choice."
