Discussion:
In 2014, city staff completed an inventory of all trees on city property and within city easements. Over 7,000 trees were identified, most of which were in need of pruning. It is the intent to get all public trees on a routine pruning cycle using a combination of city staff and private contractors. The city authorized and began contracting public tree pruning in 2015.
The city's 2019 Natural Resources General Fund Budget includes $90,000 for tree pruning. Quotes were solicited from five tree service contractors and four were received as follows:
Shadywood Tree Experts $64.99/hour
Northewast Tree, Inc. $80.00/hour
YTS $90.00/hour
Rainbow Tree Care $90.00/hour
Shadywood Tree Experts from Hopkins, Minnesota, is the low bidder at the rate of 64.99/hour. Shadywood Tree Experts has the capacity and experience for the work and is deemed a responsible bidder. They are prepared to begin the work in January 2019 with a completion of on December 31, 2019. Total expenditure shall be a not-to-exceed amount totaling $90,000.00.
It should be noted that one of the city's contract requirements prescribes that only an ISA Certified Arborist may perform pruning and that all ANSI standards shall be met while performing work. Additionally, the contractor is required to notify adjacent property owners of the activity in their area a minimum of 48 hours in advance, with a letter provided by city staff.
Attached to this memo are maps with the locations of trees proposed to be pruned in 2019 as part of this contract as follows: Lions Park, Tahpah Park, Scenic Heights Park, Prairie Bend Park and the boulevard trees in zone four as budget allows. Other trees as outlined on the map and schedule would be inspected and trimmed by city crews.