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Council awards two spring tree‑planting contracts amid local‑preference and procurement questions
Summary
Council awarded two spring right‑of‑way tree planting contracts to Absolute Group (relief and US Forest Service downtown projects) after staff justified awards based on bidder responsibility, past experience, and federal/local funding rules. Local bidders raised concerns about limited awards to local firms.
Cedar Rapids City Council on April 8 approved two spring 2025 right‑of‑way tree planting contracts with Absolute Group: one funded by the city’s relief program (estimated $228,930) and one funded by a U.S. Forest Service grant for downtown (estimated $243,020).
The item drew extended discussion after public comment from local landscape contractor Darren Chamberlain, who said local firms had won a small fraction of recent large landscaping contracts and urged the city to consider ways to increase local participation. Joyce St. John, a Cedar Rapids resident, spoke in support of Chamberlain. Council Member Meyer asked for the item to be moved from consent to the regular agenda to allow conversation and clarification.
Heather Mills of Purchasing explained procurement decisions: for the relief‑funded project local preference applies; the lowest bidder on that solicitation was not recommended due to past performance concerns, making Absolute Group the recommended awardee at $228,930. For the US Forest Service downtown grant project, local preference does not apply to federally funded contracts; again the lowest bidder was not recommended due to past performance and the next lowest responsive bidder was Absolute Group at $243,020. Mills confirmed quick‑pay discounts are not considered in bid evaluation to keep a level playing field; payment terms under the relief program include staged payments (70% after acceptance, then 15% after year‑one survival, 15% after year‑two survival) because the city requires a two‑year watering and warranty period for relief trees.
Council adopted the resolutions by voice vote after staff described quality control checks, nursery stock inspections and on‑site planting oversight to ensure trees are planted correctly. The discussion concluded with council acceptance of staff’s procurement evaluation and monitoring plan.
