Urban Forestry staff finalizes $100,000 removal contract; Bartlett selected for city tree trimming

Urban Forestry staff reported on operations and contracts at the April 2 meeting, saying the city finalized a tree-removal contract with Lashco Tree Service and a trimming contract with Bartlett Tree.

The removal contract is for about $100,000 and covers roughly 95 to 98 trees citywide, the staff member said. The contract term is one year with the option of two one-year renewals; the vendor must respond to removal requests within seven days. Staff also said an emergency tree contract remains active for after-hours storm response.

Separately, the city signed a trimming contract with Bartlett Tree. Staff said Bartlett will begin work on neighborhood streets and that crews will start by prioritizing the most untrimmed "young" trees on streets such as Cardinal Way and Avis Circle, where trees have not been regularly trained or trimmed since planting. Staff said multiple ash trees on Cardinal Way will require removal and that planting in those spots may be limited by underground utilities.

Staff updated commissioners on other operations: stumps on Ridgeview Road have been ground and dig-safe checks completed, and some nursery stock has been used over the winter, leaving lower inventory at the city nursery. Commissioners and staff discussed prioritizing plantings at sites where public right-of-way space and structural soil options allow larger street trees.

Ending: Staff said crews and contractors will begin removals and trimming soon under the new contracts; no formal commission vote was recorded for the contracts during the meeting.