The Bismarck City Commission again took up the discussion of the "request for proposal" policy it employs, though it reached no resolution and will continue the issue.

City administrator Bill Wocken provided a list of projects that follow the current policy at Tuesday's meeting. Commissioner Steve Schwab, who opposes the current policy of project award through negotiations with the contractors awarded the RFP, asked for the list.

Wocken wants the commission to provide direction on how to handle the succession projects that are based on the RFP process, prior to developing new policy on award of projects. Department heads identified several, including:

3 Fourth floor of the city/county building, in which REH was awarded the original master plan RFP, with the additional phases to be negotiated.

3 Landfill phyto-remediation process with CPS.

3 Airport projects through 2010. The Federal Aviation Administration encourages five-year engineering contracts covering multiple projects.

3Water plant softening expansion with AE2S.

3 Water plant intake construction with AE2S.

3 Water plant west end and site piping with AE2S.

3 Wastewater treatment upgrades with SEH.

3 Water tower painting and rehabilitation with Bartlett & West.

3 Southeast Bismarck storm water improvements with Ulteig Engineers, Inc.

After the initial award of an RFP, which usually involves a project master plan and an initial phase, Schwab wants to see additional phases or successive projects to be bid separately.

Current policy has the city negotiating with the master plan contractor for design and construction for successive phases of projects, a process mayor John Warford and Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk have defended.

Despite Wocken requesting a commission decision on the projects "in the pipeline," commissioners moved into discussion on the RFP process, attempting to determine the basic question that is causing concern.

Commissioners decided to continue discussion through the staff in determining what course to take and took no action on the identified projects.

In other activity, the Bismarck City Commission:

3 Approved Commissioner Dave Jensen's request to have the Department Transportation look at speed limits on Expressway from the interstate interchange to Yegen Road and to have the city address the speed limit on East Main Avenue leading to Expressway. Currently the roads are signed at 50 miles per hour.

3 Approved Renaissance Zone projects for American Legal Services and Internet Design Consulting in the Civic Square Building. Also approved square foot investment requirements for Renaissance Zone development plans.

3 Approved an engineering services agreement for design and construction of North Fourth Street storm water improvements.

3 Approved a new Class L liquor license for Stadium Sand Trap located at 725 Riverwood Drive as requested by Lisa Hixson.

3 Approved final plat, zoning, annexation and an amendment to the fringe area road master plan for the Promontory Point IV subdivison.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)