The Sandusky City Commission on Aug. 25 approved a contract with Nate Johnson’s Landscaping, Inc., of Mentor, Ohio, for the city’s 2025 USDA tree-planting project.
City staff said the contract will provide 109 trees for the project; a staff speaker noted the contract figure in the meeting transcript in a phrasing that appears to omit a unit ("109 trees for $54"). Staff clarified the larger funding picture: the city received a $125,000 grant (federal funds administered through ODNR) that had an allocation for Churchwell Park and the tree component. Staff said $54 (as stated in the meeting record) requires clarification in the contract documents; the city intends to use available grant funds and, if possible, add about $15,000 from the Churchwell Park allocation to plant additional trees and would return to the commission for any change orders.
Staff set the current completion window for the tree portion of the work in November, with the possibility of spring planting if additional trees are added after a change order. Commissioner comments focused on species selection and avoiding high-maintenance trees that lift sidewalks; staff said the administration attempts to plant a diverse mix to protect canopy health against pests such as emerald ash borer.
The commission approved the contract under the procedures cited at the meeting; staff said they will present an urban-forest presentation to the commission at a future meeting and will accept questions in advance.