RTC politics make Henderson headaches inviting

Who in their right mind would leave a comfortable, well-paying job to take the reins of a city embroiled in controversy over a slightly significant incident during which a police sergeant approached a diabetic and gave him a few kicks. In the head. After he’s on the ground. Sober. And handcuffed. With four other officers on top of him.

The public is demanding that all sorts of heads roll, and someone wants to stick his into the mess? And do so for slightly less pay than his existing position, which comes with fewer responsibilities?

Regional Transportation Commission spokeswoman Tracy Bower confirmed last week that general manager Jacob Snow has had conversations with Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen over the city manager’s position, which will be vacated in May by Mark Calhoun. Bower added that Snow has not received an offer and is committed to the transportation commission.

When reached again Thursday to see if Snow had anything more to say, Bower said, "There is nothing more at this point that he has to say."

What can Snow say?

That if Hafen gives him the nod, he will be unpacking his belongings on Water Street before the dust cloud in his Grand Central Parkway office dissipates?

That he would rather deal with a police brutality public relations nightmare than elected officials who believe they are better qualified to determine who operates the valley’s bus system than an expert staff that was praised by the Federal Transportation Administration for its bidding process?

Snow has found himself in an unenviable position of having to appease commissioners who have split votes and squabbled over the transit agency’s $600 million, seven-year bus contract.

First Transit’s proposal was $50 million less than that of the incumbent operator, Veolia Transportation. During a time when every government entity is scratching and clawing for pennies, that’s a lot of money.

It would have been easier for Snow and his staff if federal laws required governing bodies to accept the lowest responsible bidder. While that is the case with many government contracts, it does not apply to all transit-related projects. In this case, the bid is not all about price; board members have discretion because a company’s innovative techniques and experience must also be considered. Still, it is not as if First Transit is run out of some shack in Pioche. Like Veolia, it is a well-respected international company.

Four commissioners had no doubt that First Transit was the way to go, not only because the agency would save taxpayer dollars, but also because it knew it could maintain its bus service. Four others fought for Veolia and argued there was no way First Transit could operate the system for such a low amount.

The stalemate dragged on for months and during that time something sneaky happened. Few know about it, or realized the implications, except for maybe the players closest to this bus issue, including, of course, Snow.

Bus drivers and mechanics had operated without a contract since it expired in December 2010. Yet Veolia Transportation last month decided to strike a deal with the employees, promising raises between 5 percent to 22 percent. It is difficult for a company to undercut a labor agreement, so First Transit’s low bid suddenly became perhaps too low to fulfill.

At that point, the company had no choice but to agree to the commission’s decision to split the contract into two regions and start the bidding process over again.

Although Snow had little to say about the carrot that may or may not be dangling over at Henderson City Hall, he made this diplomatic statement about the months-long draw on the contract: "The RTC’s board members are elected by the people of Southern Nevada to make decisions. I don’t have a vote. My job as general manager is to make recommendations. I respect how difficult those decisions can be and stand behind the board’s right to make them."

Board members are elected, which means they have more to consider than simply the merits of a contract. They are politicians. Just as Snow must appease the board, the politicians must appease generous campaign contributors, whether they are unions or others.

Snow acknowledged that he has never experienced such aggressive lobbying in his 12 years as general manager.

Bruce Woodbury served on the Regional Transportation Commission for 24 years. So, he is familiar with the pressures that come with huge decisions.

"It’s frustrating at times when you could see the merits of a proposal and it was secondary to political considerations," said Woodbury, who, it’s important to note, is also representing First Transit. "I was not immune to the politics. I was certainly aware of political implications."

It wasn’t only the politics and unions pushing heavily for Veolia; it was the manner in which Snow’s staff was treated. Board members upset with the recommendation to pick First Transit questioned the staff. They questioned Snow. They questioned the way the request for proposals was written and weighed, saying it was like comparing apples to oranges.

They claimed that First Transit’s bid was too low, yet at one point requested that the RTC start the bidding process over again to see if they could attract even lower bidders.

I’m not going to crawl inside Snow’s head, but I picked the brain of a few others who know him well or have worked with him in recent months. The general consensus is this: He felt he and his staff were disrespected.

Maybe it was enough to drive him freakin’ crazy. Maybe it was enough to send him running to Henderson.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior @reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.