Summary#
Montréal city council approved a construction contract with L’Archevêque et Rivest ltée for two new greenhouses at the City’s nursery in L’Assomption, in the Lanaudière region. The contract is $1,173,000, and the council also authorized $140,760 for contingencies, bringing the total to $1,313,760, taxes included. City staff say the goal is to replace aging greenhouses and support the City’s tree production.
- The contract went to the lowest compliant bidder in public call for tenders 26-6028. Three bids were received.
- The work includes removing the existing greenhouses and building two new ones. The contract lasts 120 days from the order to begin work.
- The council also required an evaluation of the contractor’s performance after the work.
- A City project manager and two consultant firms will monitor the work. The tender documents provide for penalties if requirements are not met.
What it means for you#
- Taxpayers: The City is paying for the work, using funds financed through borrowing bylaw 20-028. The decision does not create a new tax or fee.
- Boroughs receiving trees: City staff say the nursery currently supplies about 3,300 trees each year to 10 boroughs. The new greenhouses are intended to support production, but the decision does not guarantee a particular increase in tree supply.
- General public: The decision concerns City facilities and does not directly change residents’ rights or services.
Money#
The authorized total is $1,313,760, taxes included; the net amount after tax rebates is $1,199,637.99.
- The contractor’s bid is $1,173,000, taxes included. The separate contingency budget is $140,760, taxes included.
- The City will pay 100% of the expense, with spending planned for 2026 and 2027. The net amount will be financed through borrowing bylaw 20-028.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not say how much tree production is expected to increase, or when any increase would be achieved.
- It does not explain how the contingency money may be used or how much, if any, is expected to be spent.
- The decision gives the contract length but not a specific start date.
Case for#
- City staff say the existing greenhouses are aging, require repeated repairs and no longer fully support production.
- The lowest compliant bid was 10.01% below the City’s latest estimate.
- Replacing the greenhouses could support the nursery’s existing work supplying trees to boroughs.
Case against#
- The contingency budget is 12% of the contract amount, but the materials do not explain what specific unexpected costs it is meant to cover.
- Three bids were received; the decision provides no further information about why other firms did not bid or how that affected competition.
- The decision does not give a forecast of added tree production to weigh against the total cost.