More consultants on track for Metra

Metra directors have renewed a contract with one consultant and hired another as part of reform efforts at the beleaguered agency.

Collectively, the amounts authorized are for up to $725,000. Neither of the contracts went through a competitive process in which professional firms submit proposals and fees.

One contract goes to Blackman Kallick, an accounting firm hired in 2010 to scrutinize Metra’s operating procedures and look for weaknesses in the wake of financial misconduct by the former executive director.

The firm completed a risk assessment report in February and has been paid $500,000 so far. On Friday, Metra directors engaged Blackman Kallick to continue its assessment and make recommendations to tighten controls and improve efficiency.

The latest contract lasts for six months and is not to exceed $500,000. Because Blackman Kallick already spent weeks learning the inner workings of Metra it makes sense to rehire them rather than shop around, officials said.

The second contract is with consultant George Avery Grimes, a civil engineer and former deputy CEO at the commuter rail system Metrolink in Southern California.

Grimes has a six-month contract for $275 an hour, not to exceed $225,000. He will assist Metra in implementing reforms and increasing accountability, Executive Director Alex Clifford said.

Grimes’ duties include evaluating the senior executive structure at Metra, ensuring audit recommendations are followed, negotiating with railroads and assisting Clifford.

In asking directors to waive the competitive process, Clifford said there was an urgent need to fill the position, explaining Grimes was highly qualified. “He can hit the ground running,” he said.

“It’s an unusual action but it’s an unusual time,” said Director Jim LaBelle, who represents Lake County. “In the long term, it’s money well-spent.”

Clifford took over as executive director in February. He replaces former CEO Phil Pagano, who committed suicide in the middle of an investigation into misuse of funds. It was later found Pagano took at least $475,000 in unauthorized vacation pay, which has led Metra to bring in a series of consultants to investigate what went wrong.