From: Matt Silas [mailto:mattsilas@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:36 AM
To: Donna Jackson
Subject: Architectural Invoice
RE: INVOICE FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES ON JETS PROJECT
Dear Donna,
I've been corresponding with Tim McCall and I was also told that you may be able to help by presenting to the city council.
As you probably know, I have been seeking payment for my services for quite awhile on the design work for remodeling the former fire station at the intersection of Matthews and Caraway. At one time the City of Jonesboro was considering this site for a new transportation center. My main contact for this project was Paul Copeland who directed me to do the design work and prepare cost estimates for the remodel. I was instructed to start work after meetings were held with the current Mayor in which I was in attendance. I submitted a contract for services and at that time I was instructed to start because the lease was going to expire where the MPO offices were located and they needed to start on this project ASAP. I was reassured that the contract would be signed and that everyone was on board with this project and I responded in good faith that the city would stand behind their word and it was a goal for me to accommodate the city's time constraint. I did the design work as requested and submitted drawings for review by Paul Copeland and his superiors and was given the authority to perform construction documents by Paul because he had gotten the approval. I asked about the contract and he said that it would be approved at the next city council meeting. For the next week or two after I tried contacting Paul and during that process learned that the contract had been pulled from the agenda and of course this is the same time frame that Paul encountered his troubles and was dismissed from his position.
Since then I have talked to several people about this and attended committee meetings seeking payment for my services. Each time I have been told that payment can not be released because there was not a contract. During the committee meeting I attended I was told that this may resolve itself because the City was looking at an alternate location and a different building type. The committee members felt that I should be paid because the City obligated themselves to me and had done this in the past with others.
Some time had past and I resigned myself to letting it go because I want to maintain a good working relationship with the City of Jonesboro. However in light of recent events, the City has continued to do business on some level without contracts and I feel that the previous statements about me not having a signed contract is void because of the continued practice. Even though plans were not used because of feasibility issues, it is the principle of the matter which should be upheld.
Attached is the pay request I sent in 2005. I would appreciate if you would bring the matter up at the next city council meeting so that the issue can be resolved. I feel I am justified in asking the City of Jonesboro to revisit payment for my services on the design work done for the Transportation Center. The City initially turned down my request because of the contract submitted by Matt Silas Architect was not signed. Clearly this is not the case and a precedent has been set which is in conflict of what I was previously told.
Respectfully,
Matt Silas, AIA
Matt Silas Architect