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Contractor Responsibility Ordinance

At a glance

  • What: Calendar No. 35,543, by Councilmembers Willard, McCarron, Harris, King, Green and Hughes, rewrites Sections 70-521 through 70-532 of the City Code to set standards for contractor responsibility on city contracts and to clarify the administrative and enforcement process.
  • Where it stands: adopted as amended on September 3, 2026, six yeas, no nays, with Morrell absent (Ordinance No. 30,757 M.C.S.).
  • Committee: the Economic Development Committee recommended approval. It was introduced August 20, 2026.

Amendment adopted September 3

Councilmembers Willard and McCarron offered an amendment that:

  • expands the definition of chief procurement officer;
  • adds an executive determination of contractor responsibility for professional services contracts procured by the executive branch;
  • provides that the city shall not enter into a contract with a non-responsible contractor;
  • sets a timeline for the responsibility hearing after a preliminary determination;
  • clarifies when administrative hearings are not required, and that the procuring department director and the chief procurement officer do not need a third-party complaint to start an investigation;
  • provides that hearings follow procedures set by the chief procurement officer; and
  • requires regular reporting from the chief administrative officer on waivers.

Willard moved and King seconded the amendment; it passed 6-0 (Hughes, McCarron, Harris, King, Green, Willard; Morrell absent). Willard moved the ordinance as amended, McCarron seconded; speaker cards were filed; it passed 6-0.

Sources

Log

2026-09-03 - City Council

Amendment adopted 6-0, then the ordinance adopted as amended 6-0 (Morrell absent).