City Councilwoman Carol Berz on Tuesday said she plans to bring back up the issue of a contract for management of events at the 21st Century Waterfront. It is due to be on the council agenda in two weeks.
She indicated she plans to vote in favor of the recommended contract for Chattanooga Presents, which would give a majority in favor if the other votes hold.
In a vote last Tuesday, it was 4-4 with Councilwoman Berz abstaining.
Councilwoman Berz said she had looked into the matter closely since the vote and concluded, "In no way was it illegal. It could have been done better, but legally we are okay."
She also said, "I think we could have done better. We had a very quick response. I wish we had deferred it."
Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod said, "I am still concerned about the process. I felt we were just rushed into a situation."
She claimed that administration staff "can manipulate and dangle low-hanging fruit in front of you. Like saying you will be getting parks in your district."
Councilwoman Berz retorted, "I didn't talk to the administration."
The Berke administration had recommended that Chattanooga Presents get the contract though its bid was $15,000 higher than Friends of the Festival, who has overseen the program for a number of years.
Some council members had hit the way the proposal was handled with a citizen advisor who had been a reference for Chattanooga Presents.
City Councilman Darrin Ledford last Tuesday said it was a good idea to have citizens take part in the evaluation process for a contract for managing events at the riverfront. But he said it was "a horrible idea" to get input from a person who gave a reference for the recommended firm.
Councilman Chip Henderson said with council members "perception is often reality." He said in awarding city contracts, "I would want our process to be above reproach."
He added, "There is a cloud of suspicion over this - especially since the recommended vendor was also the highest bidder."
Maura Sullivan, city chief operating officer, defended the handling of the issue. She said community members sign statements that they will be impartial. She said, "We rely on that."
After the recommendation did not pass, she said it would not go back out to bid due to legal advice. She said the city staff would have to try to handle the work, though it was not equipped to do so.
Chattanooga Presents has long been operated by Carla Pritchard.