Fire station bidding questions, Part Two: I see the $4.25 million contract, but where are the bids?

Part One
Part Three

There are no minutes on the city's web site for Redevelopment Commission meetings during the last five months of 2013 (after 2 August 2013, and until the first meeting in January of 2014). Two other meetings appear to be missing, too.

However, there are a few relevant passages. First, from April 9, with notification that a special meeting of the RC would be required to discuss details of the new fire station.

Then, April 29, which has less to do with the issue at hand than an admission of future water park access problems owing to the city's inability to bridge a creek that's been flowing there for centuries prior to the advent of TIF bonding.

Finally, June 11. Apparently the special meeting has come and gone, because the $4.25 million contract with Axis is up for unanimous approval.

Rumors have circulated ever since of Jeff Gahan's minions bragging about their "loophole" to avoid the bidding process. If you know anything that might help us understand this, please write to me. Confidentiality is assured.