Goshert v. City of Seattle

Citations

• 57 Wash. 645
• 107 P. 860
• 1910 Wash. LEXIS 812

Syllabus

<p>Municipal Cobpobations — Impeovements — Contbact — Call bob Bids — Piling and Changing Specifications. Under a city charter requiring contracts to be let to the lowest bidder upon notice, at the time of publication of which notice plans and specifications must be filed and open to public inspection, the city makes such a material modification of the specifications filed as to invalidate subsequent proceedings, when, after filing the same and publishing notice, it sends out a circular letter to bidders to the effect that the specifications filed, particularly describing the materials and details of the construction of an electrical fire alarm apparatus, were intended only to define a standard of functions to be performed by the apparatus and equipment, and not to define or limit its type, design or construction, and that apparatus of any type, design or construction that would properly perform the functions indicated by the specifications, if satisfactory to the board and city electrician, will be acceptable to the city.</p> <p>Same — Enjoining Municipal Contbact — Pasties Plaintiee — Tax-payees. Residents and taxpayers in a city may maintain an action to enjoin the letting of a contract required to be let to the lowest bidder, in violation of a charter provision requiring plans and specifications to be filed, and it is immaterial that the suit was commenced at the instance and cost of an unsuccessful bidder.</p>