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Council approves payment of outstanding invoices to West Coast Arborist; asks for planting and replacement accounting
Summary
Council approved $206,685.80 in outstanding invoices to the city’s tree-maintenance contractor and asked staff to report back on the contractor’s tree-replacement accounting and grant opportunities for large-scale mitigation.
The City Council on April 15 approved payment of outstanding invoices to West Coast Arborist Inc. and approved a limited increase to the company’s fiscal-year authorization to cover those past-due bills while reserving further spending pending a contract review.
Staff presented a list of emergency and scheduled tree work performed after high-wind events and for a bark‑beetle infestation affecting eucalyptus trees; the city requested payment of outstanding invoices totaling $206,685.80. Public works and finance staff explained that many of the invoices relate to emergency removals and specialized equipment used on slopes. The council approved payment of the outstanding balance by a 5-0 vote.
Councilmembers asked several follow-up questions: how many trees had been removed, whether stump removal on slopes was intentionally deferred to avoid erosion, and what replacements — if any — the contractor had planted under the contract. West Coast Arborist staff explained that work and billing are tracked in the city’s ArborAccess inventory system and that stump-removal decisions depend on slope stability concerns. Council directed staff to return with a contract audit and a report showing trees removed and replaced under the current contract, and to pursue state and FEMA grant possibilities for larger mitigation funding. Staff said $77,533 in additional funding requested would be used only for unforeseen emergency work through the fiscal year and would be returned to fund balance if unused.
The council also asked staff to explore state and federal mitigation and grant opportunities that could offset removal and replanting work; staff said they will follow up with FEMA and local legislators. The council approved a motion to pay the outstanding invoices only and to ask for a follow-up briefing showing replacement numbers and grant-reimbursement prospects.
