Council approves $118,511 amendment to Grover Landscape contract; public asks about rodent-control methods

The Modesto City Council approved a first amendment to its contract with Grover Landscape Services at the Dec. 9 meeting, adding landscaping services for wastewater facilities (including the Sutter Road entrance and several lift stations) and increasing the agreement by $118,511.

Will Wong, the city’s director of utilities, said the wastewater division requested additional services after adding facilities and that the amendment is intended as a short‑term measure pending a citywide landscaping procurement next year: "This contract here that we're in, we have tonight is a stop gap until we have a new contract," he said.

During public comment, Kevin McLarty (District 1) asked how rodent control would be performed and whether poisoned bait would create environmental risks for predators such as owls and hawks. "Are they being trapped or are they being poisoned?" McLarty asked. Wong said rodent control would be confined to city facilities and that staff would follow appropriate practices: "This is only controlled at our facility…Rodents have been a nuisance…we wanna make sure that we address those issues that are happening on our sites." He added staff would follow up with additional information.

Council members asked whether the work would be included in the citywide bid anticipated next year. Vice Mayor Bavaro and staff confirmed the contract will be part of the broader package when the city re‑bids landscaping services.

A motion to approve the amendment was moved and seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call vote.