Title
APPROVING JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL (HGAC) PURCHASING COOPERATIVE
Background
SBM Fire personnel have researched a number of sources for the purchase of fire vehicles and have found the prices negotiated by the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) Purchasing Cooperative to be the most favorable. Within the last year, four other Minnesota cities, Edina, Rosemount, Stillwater, and St. Louis Park, have approved a JPA with HGAC and have made purchases under the cooperative.
Minnesota statutes 471.345 and 471.59 provide cities the authority to engage in joint purchasing for contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials, or equipment if the purchase is made through a national municipal association's purchasing alliance or cooperative. HGAC meets this requirement. Per statutes, the alliance or cooperative must be created by a joint powers agreement (JPA).
While SBM Fire has entered a JPA with HGAC and may thus purchase equipment through the cooperative, Blaine's bond counsel has recommended that, since the equipment used by SBM is in fact owned by the member cities, Blaine should approve the JPA and purchase the equipment. Thus the attached resolution authorizes the Mayor and the City Manager to enter into an agreement with HGAC for the purchase of equipment.
Recommended Council Action
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a regional planning commission and political subdivision of the State of Texas, ("HGAC") is authorized to contract with eligible entitles to perform governmental functions and services, including the purchase of goods and services; and
WHEREAS, HGAC has instituted a cooperative purchasing program under which it contracts with eligible entities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 471.59 and 471.345, Subdivision 15 the City of Blaine, Minnesota (the "City") and HGAC will enter into a Interlocal Contract for Cooperative Purchasing in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Contract") in connection with the acquisition of various equipment for municipal fire protection and firefighting purposes and other municipal equipment as needed;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine, Minnesota, as follows:
The City hereby approves the Contract and authorizes the Mayor and the City Manager to execute the Contract.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 15th day of September, 2011.