The City Council was told Tuesday that three community members helped in the process for selecting a new manager for events at the 21st Century Waterfront.
Bonnie Woodward, city purchasing director, said the city previously did not have a process that allowed such citizen participation, but does now.
She said the community members did not have a vote in the selection.
The city staff recommended that Chattanooga Presents! get the contract in place of Friends of the Festival, which has handled the events for a number of years.
Chip Baker, executive director of Friends of the Festival, said its bid was $55,000. The city staff is recommending that Chattanooga Presents! be paid its bid of $70,000.
Friends of the Festival also operates the Riverbend Festival in early June each year.
The City Council on Feb. 5 is to consider the new contract.
It is a one-year term with the option to renew for two more years.
Carla Pritchard has long headed Chattanooga Presents! Her group handles the Nightfall Concert Series at Miller Plaza as well as Pops on the River.
A Nashville firm also submitted a proposal.
Councilman Chip Henderson asked if all the electrical facilities at the waterfront belong to the city or if some are the property of Friends of the Festival. Travis Kazmierzak, city director of open spaces, said some may belong to Friends of the Festival. However, he said there would be no need for the city to spend more money on electrical equipment.
He said all who took part in the selection process felt Chattanooga Presents! offered "the best value."
Councilman Henderson also asked if any of the community members had divulged any information about the selection process. Officials said they were told that it was a confidential process.