By Patrick Newhook/February 24, 2022
Thanks to the hiring of a horticulturist last year and the signing of a two-year contract for the supply of flowers and bulbs, council is expecting Mount Pearl to look even prettier than usual this spring and summer.
Councillor Isabelle Fry, who co-chairs council’s infrastructure and public works committee, made the motion for the flower purchase at last week’s public meeting.
“Spring is coming and we have to be ready for it,” said Fry, who noted the hiring of a horticulturalist last year actually saved the City some money as that person was able to help provide some of the City’s flowers. In the meantime, the City still does have to purchase flowers and bulbs from outside sources, because of the many areas where they are planted.
“To give you some background, the committee was advised that the tender for the supply and delivery of flowers for 2022 and 2023 closed on December 30 and only one bid was received and it was from Murray’s Horticultural Services in the amount of $62,740,” said Fry.
She recommended the sole bidder be approved to supply the flowers for the two years.
Councilor Bill Antle described the contract as a “great, great spend.” His only question was whether the City was paying for the two years of flowers up front, or whether the amount would be divided over two budgets.
Infrastructure and public works director Gerry Antle confirmed the payments will be divided. “We would only pay upon receipt of the actual flowers, so there’d be a portion paid through 2022 and then again in 2023,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley also welcomed the purchase adding, “the more you invest in this the more you’re going to see.” She asked whether staff have any changes in mind for the planting program this year.
“We’ve been planting a little bit differently the past few years because of COVID,” said director Antle. “We’ve been focusing on some of the walking trails, St. David’s Park and around City Hall. I hope that as we start to come out of COVID, we’ll start to consider additional areas or different areas again. We’ve normally done areas at intersections, main intersections of streets and roads in Mount Pearl… We’ll determine as we look with our committee as to areas that we’ll identify as a in priority for 2022. So, it could change. I’ll probably leave it with our committee and then come back to council as we come up with areas that we think are the best ones for 2022.”
The director added that staff will also be ramping up its tree planting efforts this year.
Mayor Dave Aker asked whether having the horticulturalist on staff will enable the City to expand its flower program. The director said it would.
Councilor closed the debate by observing that doing something as simple as planting flowers adds to the city. “It increases property values, it makes people happy, it’s great for the environment,” Fry said. “It’s just a win win all around.”
