Traverse City staff are recommending two new vendors take over concessions and equipment rental operations at Clinch Park and Hickory Hills Ski Area - despite existing vendor The River submitting the highest bids for both contracts.

A committee of city staff is recommending city commissioners Monday award the concessions contract at both parks next year to Edany B.L.T., which bid $73,500 for a three-year contract. Mike Sutherland of The River - which has managed operations the past five years - bid $90,000 for the concessions contract. The committee is also recommending TC Watersports take over equipment rentals at Clinch Park after the company bid $92,250 for a three-year contract. Sutherland, however, bid $150,000 for the same contract.

In a memo to commissioners about the recommendations, city staff said that "upon review and direction from our city attorney," The River's bids weren't deemed "qualified" for either contract. Sutherland confirms The River wasn't invited for an interview before the committee, but says he was told "we were not interviewed because they already knew what our product was and it was just a formality."

The committee's recommendation does not provide an explanation as to why The River was disqualified from the bidding process. Several committee members - including Parks and Recreation Director Lauren Vaughn, Director of Public Services Dave Green and Assistant City Manager Penny Hill - could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes tells The Ticker he was "surprised" to learn The River's bids weren't considered or recommended for either contract. "There is one time in six years I can remember where we haven't accepted the (best) bid for a contract," Estes says. "Are there extenuating circumstances? There obviously must be, but I don't have any answers. I'll be asking city staff to defend the decision they've made."

Traverse City Commissioner Gary Howe - who also sits on the Parks and Recreation Commission - says he's aware "of some hiccups that have happened with the city and The River." However, he adds: "At the same time, what I have noticed is a much livelier public space and a lot of customer satisfaction in terms of the services that are provided (by The River at Clinch Park)."

Sutherland tells The Ticker that "Traverse City is going through some remarkably tumultuous growing pains," adding that The River is "awkwardly in the mix." Noting that the company has "been through four city managers in six years," he calls communication with city staff during his tenure "agonizingly difficult." Nonetheless, he expresses hope that The River's bids will still be considered by city commissioners, saying "we are proud of what we have accomplished at the old zoo property."

City commissioners will review the contract bid recommendations Monday at 7pm at the Governmental Center.