Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted an orientation to conclude a five-year framework agreement with Lemay Co inc. for design, engineering and related services for corporate signs across the city’s major parks. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the goal is to improve signs and wayfinding in the parks.
- The proposed agreement would run for five years, or until its budget is used up, whichever comes first. Lemay would provide services when requested by the city.
- The agreement’s stated maximum is $1,261,433.84, including taxes. That includes a base contract amount and separate budgets for contingencies and other incidental costs.
- The work could include design recommendations, a guide for signs across the park network, and help with making and installing signs. City staff list 27 parks in the network.
- The city would evaluate Lemay’s performance. Each individual assignment would need its own spending authorization.
What it means for you#
- Park users: City staff say signs are intended to help people find their way and improve access and safety. This decision does not guarantee when signs will be installed in each park.
- Taxpayers: The stated maximum spending is to come from city-centre or agglomeration budgets, depending on which body is responsible for each park.
- Lemay Co inc.: The firm would be paid at hourly rates for work the city requests; the agreement does not guarantee a set amount of work.
Money#
The stated maximum is $1,261,433.84, taxes included; city staff estimate the cost after tax rebates at $1,151,857.23.
- The base contract is $989,359.88, taxes included.
- The contingency budget is $197,871.98 and the incidental-cost budget is $74,201.99, both taxes included.
- The agreement does not commit the city to spend the full amount. Assignments would be authorized as needed, subject to available budgets.
What is unclear#
- The listed amounts add to $1,261,433.85, one cent more than the stated maximum. The materials do not explain the difference.
- The city has named five parks for its first phase, planned for 2026–2028, but has not named the parks or schedule for later phases.
- The exact work, hours and spending for each assignment will depend on later requests and approvals.
Case for#
- City staff say signs across the park network are lacking or outdated, making it harder for visitors and delivery and emergency services to find places.
- A framework agreement would let the city request different kinds of expertise as needed across many parks.
- Lemay received the highest final score among three compliant bids. Its base price was 9.08% below the city’s estimate.
Case against#
- Only three firms bid, although 13 obtained the tender documents. The materials suggest the number of firms able to take on a contract of this size may be limited.
- The agreement includes contingency and incidental-cost budgets, and the total actual spending will depend on future assignments.
- The decision sets no park-by-park schedule beyond the first phase, so the timing and extent of sign improvements remain uncertain.