Prospect to seek new consulting arborist, delays spring canopy program

Prospect leaders agreed on Jan. 6 to open a search for a part-time consulting arborist to replace the retired consultant known as Andrea and to delay the spring canopy program until a new hire can oversee plantings.

Speaker 2 (a council member) read duties drawn from the city’s forestation ordinance and summarized the role as conducting regular reviews of public and private street trees for hazardous conditions, responding to site inquiries, advising on plantings in parks and roadways, coordinating with nurseries and planting teams, and attending forestation board meetings. Speaker 2 said the board wants an ISA certification and a tree risk assessment qualification as baseline requirements.

Council members discussed how Andrea had been paid and how to structure compensation for a new consultant. Speaker 3 noted Andrea had been paid monthly; Speaker 6 and historical budget figures were cited: 2020 compensation listed at $8,800, a more recent figure at $11,005, and a current-year amount of $11,500. Speaker 7 asserted, "she's the only person I know that gets paid $10,000 a year for $40,000 worth of work," characterizing Andrea’s past workload as substantially greater than the pay. The council did not change pay immediately but debated posting a solicitation that lists a suggested fee of $1,000 per month to test market interest.

Members also reviewed market-rate guidance mentioned in the meeting: speakers cited typical consulting rates ranging broadly (basic site visits roughly $100–$300 per hour; more specialized risk assessments higher). The board agreed to prepare a letter of qualifications and a scope of services listing the monthly fee and expected responsibilities and to solicit candidates from the ISA certification list and contacts recommended by Jack Baggett and Anchorage, which had used Andrea previously. Speaker 2 said the city will call Anchorage and distribute the posting to identified candidates.

Because the city currently lacks an on-call arborist, the council decided not to proceed with its usual spring canopy distribution and tree-contract mailings this year and instead aim for a meaningful canopy program in the fall after hiring. Speaker 2 said the board will plan a winter event featuring Dr. John Hubbard — described in the meeting as a retired urologist and master gardener with expertise on oak trees — and invite leadership from 11 nearby "tree cities" to share practices and resources.

The meeting ended with a procedural motion to adjourn, moved by Speaker 5 and seconded by Speaker 2. The council set its next regular meeting for Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. and noted a special event on Feb. 21.

What’s next: The board will finalize and distribute the scope-of-services/letter of qualifications, reach out to the ISA list and named contacts, and report back on candidate interest and any recommended changes to the compensation level.