Decision on Snow Clearing Services Contract

The General Government Committee of Clarington met on September 27, 2021, to discuss the Snow Clearing Services Contract. The committee recommended awarding the contract to GWS Landscaping Inc. for an initial three-year term. The services covered include snow clearing for municipal facilities, parking lots, sidewalks, walkways, crosswalks, laneways, trails, pathways, and boulevard snow removal across Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, and district rural areas. The budget allocation for the first year is set at $1,003,711.59, which will be drawn from the respective operating budgets. The Purchasing Manager, in consultation with the Director of Public Works, is authorized to extend the contract for up to two additional one-year terms, contingent upon satisfactory service and available funds, with yearly rate increases based on the Consumer Price Index for Ontario. The initial motion to approve the contract was lost on a recorded vote of 3 to 3, with Mayor Foster, Councillor Anderson, and Councillor Hooper voting in favor, and Councillors Jones, Neal, and Zwart voting against. Councillor Traill was absent. A subsequent motion to refer the report to staff for further examination of the financial implications of bringing the services in-house was withdrawn. The committee decided to refer the report to the October 18, 2021, council meeting for further discussion.