Town staff posts RFP for townwide tree inventory; committee hears DCSM rewrite and new tree‑bank rules

Town staff told the Leesburg Tree Commission the town posted revised bid documents for landscape maintenance work and is preparing a phased request for proposals for a townwide tree inventory and management plan.

Alyssa, a town staff member, described the inventory RFP as "a phased process" that will initially cover right‑of‑way trees, then town parcels and parks, followed by a management plan. "RFP solicitation for a town wide tree inventory, which will be a phased process," Alyssa said, asking for commission input on scope and management priorities. Staff said the solicitation was posted the day of the meeting.

Commissioners also heard that much of the technical material previously in the town ordinance is being moved into the Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM), specifically Division 20, which addresses tree standards. Staff said Division 20 would undergo a quick turnaround for a final draft and that the ordinance rewrite aims to keep ordinance text higher‑level while placing technical specifications in the DCSM.

Separately, staff cited recent state legislative changes giving municipalities additional authority to create tree banks or tree canopy funds and described the town’s existing local tree bank policy and constraints on how those funds may be used. The staff summary said funds must be used within a statutory period (discussed as five years in the meeting) and that some allowable transfers may be to 501(c)(3) organizations if conditions are met.

Commissioners discussed whether public capital projects could pay into tree banks and whether the town would prioritize finding planting sites versus allowing payments into the bank; staff said current town policy gives planting priority. The commission requested staff follow up with the town attorney and zoning administrator about timing and details.

Next steps Staff will circulate a draft RFP for commission feedback and finalize Division 20 language for the DCSM. Commissioners requested clarity on tree‑bank rules and on treatment of public projects under the revised standards.