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. The contract was extended for 2020. Based on the quote and the satisfactory of work performed in 2019 and 2020, it is recommended to extend the pruning contract with Shadywood Tree Experts for 2021.
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 2021 with a completion of December 31, 2021. The 2021 hourly rate is $67.94 which is the 2020 rate adjusted by 1.7% 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 2021 include the mature trees and young trees in Zones A and F, and only young trees in Zone C (see attached maps).
Zone A is located in the Downtown Shakopee Area and there are mature trees that overhang the right-of-way that need pruning. Please note Zone A was originally scheduled for 2022, but was advanced to 2021 due to the need for pruning. This will allow for Zone B, another zone in Downtown Shakopee area that needs to be pruned, to also be advanced and pruned in 2022.