Hearing Over Monroe Airport Terminal Continues
By: Brittney Johnson
Updated: August 31, 2009
EnviroTech is a minority owned company based in New Orleans.
The company claims the city discriminated against it by giving the contract to build the new airport terminal to the second lowest bidder, Lincoln builders of Ruston.
Both sides agree that EnviroTech had the lowest bid. But the city says the bond, or insurance didn't meet state requirements. This latest hearing started Sunday. Envirotech's president and an expert testified yesterday. Lining up on the city's side, we expect to hear from Mayor Jamie Mayo, city engineers and others. Most of it has to do with the legal requirements the city included in the bidding process.
Attorney Charles Jones said, "Envirotech did not get sufficient specific notice with regards to the bid requirements they are now alleging was due. In addition to that, we are also stating that federal regulations apply as it is a federal project. We are also saying the city did not comply with certain arguments prior to awarding the bid to someone else."
At least 12 more witnesses are waiting to be called to the stand. The judge says the hearing could continue through next week.
As of today Lincoln builders of Ruston is at work at the airport. If the judge rules in favor of EnviroTech they'll have to stop working. If he rules against EnviroTech, the process could still drag on: EnviroTech's attorneys say they'll appeal. We tried to talk the city's attorneys, they had no comment.
Both sides agree that EnviroTech had the lowest bid. But the city says the bond, or insurance didn't meet state requirements. This latest hearing started Sunday. Envirotech's president and an expert testified yesterday. Lining up on the city's side, we expect to hear from Mayor Jamie Mayo, city engineers and others. Most of it has to do with the legal requirements the city included in the bidding process.
Attorney Charles Jones said, "Envirotech did not get sufficient specific notice with regards to the bid requirements they are now alleging was due. In addition to that, we are also stating that federal regulations apply as it is a federal project. We are also saying the city did not comply with certain arguments prior to awarding the bid to someone else."
At least 12 more witnesses are waiting to be called to the stand. The judge says the hearing could continue through next week.
As of today Lincoln builders of Ruston is at work at the airport. If the judge rules in favor of EnviroTech they'll have to stop working. If he rules against EnviroTech, the process could still drag on: EnviroTech's attorneys say they'll appeal. We tried to talk the city's attorneys, they had no comment.
