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 trees in the inventory on a routine pruning cycle using a combination of city staff and private contractors. The city authorized and began contracting tree pruning in 2015.
In 2019, the city hired Shadywood Tree Experts to perform $90,000 worth of tree trimming. That contract agreement has a provision to extend the contract for up to two additional years at the city's sole discretion. Based on the quote and the satisfactory of work performed in 2019, it is recommended to extend the pruning contract with Shadywood Tree Experts for 2020.
The 2019 quotes that were received are as follows:
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Shadywood Tree Experts $64.99/hour
- Northeast Tree, Inc. $80.00/hour
- YTS $90.00/hour
- Rainbow Tree Care $90.00/hour
Shadywood Tree Experts from Hopkins, Minnesota, has the capacity and experience for the work and are prepared to begin the work in February 2020 with a completion of December 31, 2020. The 2020 hourly rate is $66.81 which is the 2019 rate adjusted by 2.8% to account for inflation.
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 the city.
The trees proposed to be pruned in 2020 include the mature trees and young trees in Zone E, and only young trees in Zone B (see attached maps).