Windsor councillors consider cancelling $285,000 purchase of American-made outdoor furniture for city park

Windsor city councillors are questioning city staff's recently approved purchase of American-made outdoor furniture for the new public outdoor space in front of city hall, amidst a trade war with the United States.

Staff approved spending $285,957 on seasonal, outdoor metal tables, umbrellas and garbage cans days after council endorsed a call from upper levels of government to prioritize buying Canadian "wherever reasonably feasible both financially and operationally."

The furniture deal was not brought to council for approval because it falls within the $15.4 million project budget council previously approved for the space.

Instead, it was approved by the city's tariff task force, made up of senior administration, who were warned by the suppliers that some of the items could be subject to $71,000 in tariffs when they're imported to Canada.

Coun. Fred Francis said he's heard complaints from taxpayers about the furniture deal and says staff should look at cancelling the purchase depending on any potential financial penalties.

"If there's a way to get out of this purchase, I think they're probably looking at ways to do that and bring it to council. They're probably looking ways to fix this because the PR has been so bad," said Francis, who voted against the civic esplanade project where the furniture will go. 

The city's head of infrastructure, David Simpson, said that the tables, umbrellas and garbage cans were bought through Park Street Solutions, an Ontario-based company from which the city has purchased before. 

These are sole source purchases — which means the city did not ask for bids from other companies for the project or shop around to see what options were available.

Simpson said that's because staff decided they wanted to continue buying these American-made products through the company because staff are familiar with the products, making them easier to maintain. 

He also said that purchasing these products from familiar suppliers would get them installed in a timely manner.

"We already benefited from having that validated Canadian point of contact for procurement logistics and also anything having to do with after purchase services," Simpson previously told CBC News.

"Not only do we feel we can save cost to the taxpayers when it comes to long-term maintenance but it just seemed to be the most time expedient process to acquire the products."

Earlier this week Coun. Kieran McKenzie, who brought the "buy Canadian" motion to council, asked staff if the purchase could be cancelled.

But after meeting with staff on Thursday, he said this purchase is the best option.