Committee authorizes solicitation of bids for tree services contract
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Summary
Parks staff requested permission to solicit proposals for an ISA‑certified tree service contractor to manage hazardous trees and maintenance across parks and open space; committee authorized staff to request bids.
Parks and Facilities staff requested authorization to solicit bids for a certified tree‑service contractor to support maintenance and hazardous‑tree removal across the city’s more than 600 acres of parks and 400 acres of open space. The city requires ISA‑certified contractors for major tree work that requires rigging and felling beyond in‑house capabilities. Staff said the current contract ends July 31, 2025, and proposed a new three‑year contract running through 2028. The anticipated cost range from the prior contract was cited (approximately $350,000 over three years) and staff told the committee the work will be funded from parks and public works general funds already included in the approved operating budgets.
Committee members asked why the city outsources tree felling (staff does smaller work but lacks in‑house rigging capacity and liability coverage for major removals) and whether the contract would address trees damaging sidewalks and roads. Staff said larger right‑of‑way and road repairs tied to tree roots are coordinated with Public Works, and that particular work may be procured through operations contracts focused on road repair and root removal. The committee moved the solicitation of bids forward to the April 1 consent agenda.
A new ISA‑certified contractor will be selected via competitive bidding and will be responsible for inspections, mitigation of hazardous trees, removals, and coordination with parks and public works for urban‑forest maintenance.
