City officials in Key West are trying to help local contractors by changing an existing law.
The proposed changes would allow local contractors who are within 10 percent of the lowest bid for a construction project to submit a second bid that either matches or undercuts the lowest bid.
The Key West City Commission on Wednesday approved the changes at a first reading, but a second approval is required before the local preference law becomes official.
At the suggestion of Commissioner Teri Johnston, the commission will hold a public workshop before the second reading to hear from local contractors.
"I would like to hear from the local contractors to ensure that we have a solid ordinance that actually helps our local contractors, who bid against the big guys every day on various projects," Johnston said, adding that she wants to close any loopholes that construction companies could use to get a job.
To further clarify the changes, commissioners added language that define a local contractor as one that has its business headquarters in Key West or within a 30-mile radius of the city.
Paul Toppino, speaking on behalf of Charley Toppino Sons Inc. construction company, asked for such a definition and pointed out that many local companies are based on Stock Island, Rockland Key or Big Coppitt Key rather than within the city of Key West.
Another provision to the ordinance, added at the suggestion of Commissioner Billy Wardlow, requires that at least 50 percent of the workers on a project be local residents, living within 30 miles of Key West.
In other activity, the commission also commended the city's staff for their quick and thorough clean-up after Fantasy Fest. City Manager Jim Scholl said Duval Street was cleaned up by 9:40 Sunday morning.
The commissioners also extended their condolences to the Butler family, who lost their son, Marques Butler, to a stabbing early Sunday morning.
Johnston suggested that it may be time to bring back the neighborhood watch groups to help ensure safety and report unusual activity.
mbolen@keysnews.com