Council directs bid solicitation for Whitaker Park holiday lights after single-vendor question

Pryor Creek Mayor Doyle presented a $33,500 proposal from Evergreen Weed Control and Fertilization LLC to install a holiday-light display at Whitaker Park, but council members pressed for competitive bidding after learning only one vendor had been contacted.

"I said I wanna be under 35,000," Mayor Doyle said, describing prior guidance given to the Park Board on a target price; council members repeatedly asked why staff had not solicited multiple bids. City Attorney Chase advised that the purchase is a specialty service and may not require mandatory bidding, but recommended going out for bids as a best practice. After discussion the council amended the motion to solicit written bids with a two‑week response window and voted to proceed. The council also asked staff to prepare a written contract addressing purchase, storage and maintenance of the lights and to return with bid specifications promptly.