Garrett Thompson Construction was awarded the city's exclusive contract to sweep the streets of Ceres on Monday evening.

The Modesto company bid $114,320 for a year of sweeping the streets.

The action replaces the current contractor, ABC Sweeping of Modesto. City Manager Toby Wells said that four months of payments to the company has been withheld because of problems with service.

A representative of another bidder, Contract Sweeping Services of San Jose, challenged the qualifications of Garrett Thompson and said they have never swept city streets. That company was the highest bidder at $174,390 per year.

Rick Richardson of ABC pleaded for a shot, saying he didn't know the city was seeking bids and that his firm didn't bid. Wells said the call for bids was on the city's website.