Oxford County council approves single source contract after debate

Lee Griffi, Editor

Members of Oxford County council approved a single source contract to complete design services related to the planned renovations for the 808 Dundas Street, the future Woodstock Homelessness Support Centre.

$250,000 was earmarked for the work which will be completed by JPL Architecture Inc. out of Goderich. Approval authority for single source procurement for the value of $120,000 or greater is subject to council approval under the county’s purchasing policy.

The motion was approved by an 8-2 vote with only councillors Deb Tait (Woodstock) and Deb Gilvesy (Tillsonburg) voting against it.

“We have done this based on (JPL’s) extensive knowledge of the building, the project goals, their experience with vulnerable sector and homeless support facilities as well as the operational requirements identified by human services staff,” explained Melissa Abercrombie, the county’s director of public works.

“Continuing with the same consultant helps us create some efficiencies, maintains the project’s momentum and it helps target the operational readiness for early 2028,” she added.

The county paid the company $30,000 to have a first look at the site before the deal to purchase the former YMCA closed.

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy questioned the need to move forward with design work on the site when there are so many unknowns.

“Why would we be hiring the architect today before going out to the public for consultation, gathering all that information then coming back saying hey, this is what its going to look like. We need fencing and landscaping.”

Abercrombie said items like fencing can be easily added to the drawings, but other issues take much more time to complete.

“Other items, such as the building code changes, those are great costs and designs and the architect needs further time to be able to design mechanical systems and things like that. There are also some restrictions from that building as it currently stands.”

She added not every wall can be moved and knowing what limitations exist is important going forward.

Gilvesy also asked how staff could assure taxpayers the price tag is reasonable, considering it is not going out to tender.

“We believe its good value for money. We have had many experiences with this architect and the have done quite a bit of work in this vulnerable sector,” said Abercrombie.

Coun. Phil Schaefer asked staff how long it would take for an RFP process to be completed.

“A full, public RFP would add approximately two to three months to the project,” explained Abercrombie.

Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione said council can’t afford to delay the development.

“I am going to support this, knowing the importance of moving this project forward. Knowing the dollar value, though it seems high for $250,000, in the grand scheme of things…is quite reasonable and to be expected in a project of this scale.”

Coun. Deb Tait said approving the sole source contract amounts to rushing the project through and is concerned the price tag could be much higher than what’s being budgeted.

“This building has a lot of problems. Its got asbestos, its got a lot of issues. I think this should be done properly…and its extremely important that we have public input.”

Warden Marcus Ryan explained he too wants public input to shape how the project will look but added he is not in support of any delay on moving it forward.

“I am absolutely here to rush this and to shove this through. I am here for that. I want this done and I want it done fast. The one thing that I think the public should hold us accountable for is what we didn’t get here much sooner.”

A recorded vote was carried out and the motion passed 8-2 with Gilvesy and Coun. Deb Tait voting against it.

A staff report added the firm has successfully worked with the county on past projects including interior renovations to the County Courthouse. They also have experience in design and construction oversight of vulnerable sector/homelessness support facilities such as the County of Wellington’s Transitional Housing Project in Guelph last year and Grey County’s Supportive Housing Project in Owen Sound in 2024. They also did the conceptual design for the proposed Woodstock City Hall expansion project.