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6. OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd Mr. Edward F. Soltesz, Local No. 9, U.A.W. Representative, brought up the past discussions that have been made on the benches: "When these benches were presented to the Advisory Committee and the former Director of the River Bend Plaza, and I believe there was a notation sent to this office as to what we had recommended. The manufacturers of the benches were there, and there were some things they had to do in order for us to even consider purchasing them, and that was to put the bolting through the benches to hold them together, because of the experiences we have had on the Plaza with the previous benches there now. So, the only thing that I ask, and I don't think it is a bargain of any kind, is that until such time as those things are taken care of and the manufacturer has agreed that they can do these items- -even if we are getting a discount price on these - -it is not worth it. Buying it at a discount price may look good on paper, but is not worth it when it will not hold up. The use of these particular items and the recommenda- tions have gone through a whole Committee meeting and presenta- tion, and a notation was sent up here. Mr. Brownell was there at that meeting as to what was suggested and the manufacturer agreed, at that time, that 'yes' they could do the things that was requested by the Committee. Mr. Brownell asked Mr. Soltesz to explain the bolts he is re- commending. Mr. Soltesz said the bolts would go through to hold the boards together so that they don't expand as they have on the other seating pieces we have on the Plaza and putting a dowel on the end of the bolts to hold it in. That is all they had to do to it and we recommended highly the bolted bench as it was sent out to us, but yet the ones with the defect in them are up before this Commission to buy. "I recommend we not buy them, as they are." The Chair said that Doug Simpson is recommending we go ahead and purchase these and apparently is not aware of the problem which should be brought to his attention. As to question if the problem can be remedied by us, Mr. Soltesz said that anything can be remedied by us-- grates, water fountains and everything else- - but that isn't the idea. We are purchasing something again that was recommended before they even left the benches here. Commissioner Donaldson asked if that is a problem we have with the benches on the Plaza, and Mr. Soltesz advised it is still a problem with the benches we have on the Plaza. Two of the manufacturer's representa- tives were present when the discussion took place and know exactly what the request was of the two new benches and the verification of Mr. Brownell to the firm will be sufficient. Mr. Wiggins made the motion we approve the purchase of the benches with the provision that they be required to bolt them together, seconded by Mr. Donaldson. Mr. Chenney stated he wants a letter from the firm stating that they will do it; they can say they will do it and never do it. And if you pay them, how are you going to get them to do it. Mr. Wiggins emphasized the provision he made is that we buy them, IF they bolt them together, and if they don't bolt them together, we do not buy them. He stated he doesn't want a letter; he wants the firm to do it. - 7 -