In particular, he wanted to know how council might “waive the requirement to have these companies previously work on a large-scale project” — which seems to have tripped up the ability of local firms to make a bid. Ironstand said he was not asking to give the project to local companies — just to give them the opportunity to bid. The local companies are “our tax base,” he said, adding they would also be in a better position to fix problems later. “If something goes wrong, the local companies will be there within hours,” said Ironstand. But City Manager Randy Patrick responded they can’t give a local preference to this project.