Council still to decide way forward on parking meter project

Aug 18, 2017 News

– SCS refuses to disclose critical financial information – Committee Head

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) has been updated on the findings and recommendations for a contract related to the controversial parking meter project.

Committee Head Malcolm Ferreira addresses the Council at the meeting yesterday.

At an extraordinary meeting held at City Hall yesterday, Head of the Parking Meter Negotiating Committee, Councillor Malcolm Ferreira listed the finding of the committee, which he said were based on consultations with civil society and members of the business community.
He noted that the 27-page document was drafted based on the consultations.
The document outlines the concerns and issues of the public in respect to the contract and arrangements between the M&CC and Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company contracted to supply the city with meters and mechanisms for paid parking.
According to the report, the Councillor outlined that the stakeholders, shared the candid view that the agreement lacked transparency, and that the Council did not operate within the confines of the law at Sections 231 or 332 (6) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01; therefore the Contract is void ab initio (to be treated as invalid from the outset).
However, Ferreira mentioned that there are still those who view the Contract as legal and binding. Towards this end, he noted that the legality of the contract is currently being challenged in the High Court.
According to Ferreira, the Committee has listed several options for the Council to consider in moving forward – that the M&CC can either move forward with SCS, discontinue the agreement with SCS altogether, or continue with the project independently.
The Committee is resolute, however, that the Council cannot move forward under the terms and agreement of the present contract.
In order for this to change, he said the Committee must be provided relevant documents such as a feasibility study, business plan, environmental impact assessment as well as ensure that the necessary due diligence is observed.
While briefing the Council, Ferreira said that at the beginning of the consultations, SCS refused to provide vital financial information and asked Committee members to sign a non-disclosure agreement but members refused to sign such an agreement.
“SCS refused to provide proof of investment and were informed by the Committee that no further discussions will take place unless and until the documents requested are submitted to the Committee,” states the committee’s report, adding that similar concerns were registered by Attorney General Basil Williams and representatives of the Ministry of Finance.
As such, in moving forward with the company, Councillor Ferreira stressed that consideration must be given by the Council for continuing the parking meter system with SCS for renegotiation by a committee, having all points and findings contained in the report addressed.
In addition, Ferreira noted the importance of holding public meetings to discuss the findings and recommend areas for the new contract.
That would require, according to the report, SCS to “provide any and all documents” within reasonable time, including the financial records, to know the true initial capital expenditure to ensure City Hall and citizens know they are getting the best deal.
Toward the end of the meeting, it was agreed that the documents will be made available to Council and members of the public before the matter is deliberated and the Council makes a decision on the matter next week.
In March, the Georgetown M&CC set up a committee to conduct consultations with stakeholders and renegotiate the parking meter contract during the three-month suspension of the project.
Councillor Ferreira was elected Chairman of the seven-member team and Councillor Noelle Chow-Chee was elected Vice-Chairwoman of the Parking Meter Committee.
The other members of the committee are Councillors Carlyle Goring, Tricia Richards, Ivelaw Henry, Roopnarine Persaud and Heston Bostwick.
The members of the Committee were all nominated by Councillor and Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke following the approval of the Terms of Reference (TOR) which will guide the operations of the Committee.

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