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Council increases West Coast Arborist contract and establishes resident tree removal fee
Summary
Council approved a $350,000 increase to the West Coast Arborist contract for trimming and removal services and adopted a new resident tree removal fee that matches vendor charges, estimated to generate about $50,000 annually.
The Garden Grove City Council approved an amendment increasing the annual contract with West Coast Arborist by $350,000 to support tree trimming, crew rental and removal services and adopted a resolution creating a city fee for petitioned street-tree removals that is set to match the vendor’s size-based removal schedule.
The action matters because the Public Works tree and flood control maintenance section is responsible for roughly 16,000 street trees citywide. Staffing shortfalls — the department reported current temporary vacancies equal to about one-third of its maintenance staffing — have led the city to rely on contract crews for trimming, emergency response and resident-requested removals.
Public Works staff explained the increase is intended to ensure continuity of services while vacancies persist and to allow the city to meet seasonal and emergency pruning and removal demands. The staff report said the new resident tree removal fee will be set at the amount charged by the vendor (West Coast Arborist) for tree and stump removal by size category. Staff estimated the new fee would generate approximately $50,000 per year and said the contract increase can be covered by a combination of projected salary savings from vacancies and existing operating budget funds.
Council discussion clarified that the resident petition fee is intended to recover vendor costs for removal and stump work and does not currently include the city’s internal staff time for application processing; staff said the fee could be revisited later. One council member asked about competitive bidding and suggested the city examine broader procurement options in the future; staff said the city is piggybacking on the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s multiyear contract with West Coast Arborist and will use supplemental crew rental services on an as-needed basis.
The council vote passed 6–1 with Councilmember Joe Dovin recorded as voting no. Staff noted that the amendment and fee would be used only as required and that no additional appropriation was required for the current fiscal year because projected salary savings and operating funds cover the request.
Staff also reiterated that if a street tree removal is required for safety or property damage, removal will be performed without charging the resident, and that replacement requirements for removed street trees remain part of the municipal code process.
