close

Rep’s behavior costs firm its city contract; Disrespectful, dais says

2 min read

According to some Cape Coral council members, the “disrespectful” and “unprofessional” demeanor of a representative from the Hardesty & Hannover engineering firm during a meeting Monday cost his company one contract and possibly more.

Project Manager Michael Sileno became agitated with council members after they began questioning him on the merits of the city’s proposed contract with H & H to build the Chiquita boat lock.

“Do I have to educate you guys on design-build?” Sileno asked council members.

Mayor Eric Feichthaler and other council members rebuked Sileno for his disrespectful behavior, and voted to not only remove the issue from the agenda, but to not award the contract to H & H.

“He was entirely unprofessional and unresponsive,” Councilmember Jim Burch said. “He stated he had a little problem that he had to explain the engineering to council.”

“It was a difference of opinion on the services he wanted to provide — we wanted more information. Take it or leave it was his attitude and he got stiff with us and we got stiff right back,” Councilmember Dolores Bertolini said.

Feichthaler and Burch doubt the city will award H & H another contract.

“I’m pretty sure we’re never going to use that company again for anything if I know this council,” Feichthaler said.

“I have no desire for H & H to do any more work for us,” Burch said.

Sileno could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.