Contractor tied to San Francisco bribery scandal awarded Berkeley park project

Berkeley has awarded a contract for a slate of upgrades at Ohlone Park to a San Francisco company tied to the bribery scandal that brought down that city’s former public works chief.

The City Council voted last week to accept the roughly $882,000 bid from Azul Works Inc. for the project installing two new public restrooms and upgraded lighting at the Central Berkeley park.

Azul Works’ former CEO, Balmore Hernandez, was sentenced to six months in prison last year after admitting he took part in the scheme to bribe former San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru for city contracts, according to The San Francisco Standard. The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office has started a process to bar both Hernandez and Azul Works from doing business with the city.

Berkeley Parks Director Scott Ferris acknowledged the firm’s history in a report to the City Council about the Ohlone Park contract. But Ferris wrote that Azul Works’ bid was the lowest of the five Berkeley received for the project, and the city is required to accept the least expensive “responsive and responsible” bid. The second-lowest base bid for the project was nearly $200,000 more expensive.

Berkeley has not previously contracted with Azul Works, Ferris wrote, but the company had “satisfactory” references from other cities.

Asked by Councilmember Igor Tregub at last week’s council meeting about what he called Azul Works’ “concerning” reputation, City Manager Paul Buddenhagen said a monitor will be assigned to ensure the company completes the project.

“I have full confidence that the Parks, [Recreation] and Waterfront Department will be able to monitor this contract in a way that gets the work done,” Buddenhagen told the City Council.

Two Azul Works officials also called into the meeting’s public comment period to defend the company.

“Azul Works is deeply committed to the highest ethical standards,” said Sandra Hernandez, the firm’s owner and spouse of Balmore Hernandez. “When concerns arise, we want to assure the city of Berkeley and everybody that we are committed to bringing the same level of quality and integrity we brought to many cities around the Bay Area.”

The new permanent restroom will replace the portable toilets near Ohlone Park’s volleyball and basketball courts, while the lighting upgrades aim to address dark spots on walking paths, Ferris said. The project is funded by the voter-approved 2016 infrastructure bond Measure T1, and is expected to break ground in the spring.