Commissioners decline $47,000–$50,000 transplant proposal for young queen palms; replacement cost noted

City staff told commissioners on Aug. 21 that transplanting several younger queen (king) palm trees near Tony Roma’s would cost an estimated $47,000 to $50,000; commissioners expressed reluctance to spend that amount and favored replacement. A staff presentation said the trees are younger specimens marked for removal and that the city could transplant them, as it had relocated other trees removed from North Bay Road. Staff noted issues with paver uplift around affected trees and that transplanting would require specialized removal and replanting. Staff estimated the cost to purchase a new 6–8‑foot palm at roughly $2,500 each plus planting costs; transplanting multiple established specimens was estimated at $47,000–$50,000. Commissioners asked whether the Porto Bellagio condo had responsibility for replacement where earlier removals occurred; staff said the condo and city had previously met on responsibility matters and the current proposal before the commission was a city estimate. Several commissioners said they did not have sufficient information to support the high transplant cost and did not approve moving forward with transplanting at this time. No formal expenditure was approved. Staff will not proceed with transplanting absent further direction; commissioners asked for more complete information before any future action.