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Fenton approves St. Louis Tree Services contract to speed right‑of‑way removals
Summary
The committee approved adding a second contractor — St. Louis Tree Services — after reviewing survey results and the large backlog of recommended pruning and removals.
Fenton aldermen voted Sept. 4 to pursue a contract with St. Louis Tree Services for additional right‑of‑way tree work, citing a large backlog identified in a previous tree survey and the need for more contractor capacity during storm periods.
Public-works staff said a 2025 tree survey recommended pruning about 3,200 trees and removing about 450, and that the city’s current $150,000 budget has been insufficient to clear the backlog. Gateway Tree Care, the city’s existing contractor, was temporarily redeployed to other jurisdictions after recent storms, delaying local work. St. Louis Tree Services provided a quote with similar unit pricing and a different workflow: removal and stump grinding in the same visit rather than returning later to grind stumps.
Aldermen discussed whether contractors should haul debris off at additional per-load fees or deposit material on the city site for tub grinding; staff said hauling could be more economical if multiple grindings would otherwise be required. The plan approved by motion allocates St. Louis Tree Services to right‑of‑way work while Gateway focuses on park tree work, and allows staff to add more contractors if quotes are comparable.
Motion to move forward with St. Louis Tree Services was made by Alderman Mazurang and seconded by Alderman Hills; the motion carried. Staff said implementation will be structured as a formal contract presented for ordinance approval at the next board meeting, and that multiple contractors may be retained to ensure capacity during storm responses.
