Fred Radandt Sons Inc. is suing the city of Manitowoc for allegedly awarding two contracts to Manitowoc County without competitively bidding the work.

“Obviously, the city doesn’t agree with the allegations that are alleged,” said Manitowoc City Attorney and Personnel Director James Wyss. “The city believes it has a right to enter into a joint effort with the county. We will respond to the complaint in due course.”

The case goes back to a $20,262 retaining-wall contract and $940,235 backfill project that, according to Fred Radandt Sons’ complaint,

the city awarded to the Manitowoc County Highway Department in 2005 without publicly soliciting bids.

“The city hired the county to perform the retaining-wall and backfill projects pursuant to an adopted policy or practice of hiring other

municipalities such as the county to perform public works projects for the city, without letting such projects for bid,” the Feb. 2 complaint said.

Radandt’s suit said this practice violated state laws requiring public competitive bidding of public works projects with budgets exceeding $15,000.

“There exists a genuine controversy between the plaintiffs and the city with reference to the legality of the city’s actions and policy or practice of granting public works contracts without letting the contracts for bid,” the complaint said.

Radandt is asking the Manitowoc County Circuit Court to rule that the city cannot let public works contracts to other government entities without publicly bidding them.

Response to come

Wyss said the complaint arrived at his office on Tuesday, and that the city would respond in more detail within the court-mandated 45 days.

In addition to the city, Radandt’s suit is also against City Engineer William Handlos. Radandt filed a notice of injury with the city on June 24 in reaction to the contract awards. According to the complaint, Handlos called Josh Radandt, owner of the construction company, on June 27 to say the company could be barred from bidding on city or county projects. On June 28, Handlos allegedly called

again to tell Preston Radandt that the company would not be allowed to provide construction materials for the city in the future.

“Handlos said that, if Radandt followed through with the legal action … it could be devastating to all Radandt companies, and Handlos told Josh Radandt to have Radandt’s attorneys withdraw the legal claim,” the complaint said.

The suit is also asking the court to award Radandt compensatory damages from Handlos.