After finding that concessionaire Smart City Solutions (SCS) vastly inflated estimates of its capital investment in the Georgetown metered parking project, the Mayor and City Council’s Negotiating Committee has warned against proceeding with the venture without a renegotiation of the contract.
The 25-page final report of the committee, which was seen by Sunday Stabroek, recommends five options for the council, including continuing with the project with SCS, albeit with a renegotiated contract, or alternatively discontinuing the project by rescinding the contract and leaving the city without metered parking.
The other recommendations are that the council continue with the project in accordance with the law by rescinding the contract and proceeding with a system in line with the process outlined in the Municipal and District Councils Act; or continue with the project independently by rescinding the contract and setting up its own parking system; or await the outcome of the pending court challenges to the legality of the contract. “Council has the option of requesting a further suspension of the implementation of the metered parking system, pending the outcome of the court proceedings,” it says, while adding that using the court ruling as a legal guide, the council will then have the option of using one of the other recommendations.
