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Council approves $3 million tree-trimming contract amid questions about scope and prioritization
Summary
Council approved a multi-year $3.0 million contract to trim and remove roughly 1,500 trees in right-of-way areas; General Services said the procurement will award multiple vendors (one per district plus roving support) and will not restart the existing priority list but hand assignments to new contractors.
The Detroit City Council on Jan. 30 approved a multi-year contract for city tree trimming and removal valued at $3,000,000 that the administration said covers the right-of-way along streets, boulevards and berms and is expected to address an estimated 1,500 trees over the contract term.
Alex Weatherup, assistant director for General Services, told council the contracts were competitively bid and will replace expiring vendors; the department expects to award up to nine contractors (one dedicated contractor per district and two roving teams to surge where needed). He said the contract covers city-owned right-of-way only and will not address private-property trees.
Council members pressed for implementation details: they asked whether the contract begins a new waiting list for resident requests, how residents will be updated on inspection status, and what the department’s timeline is for completing work. Weatherup said the department will not start a new list but will hand assignments to the new vendors and agreed to provide a written response with timing and communication protocols.
Why it matters: Many residents have complained about long waits for tree trimming and hazardous overgrown trees. Council members requested a district-level list and clearer communication so that residents and council offices can track the status of requests.
Votes and finance: Weatherup said the estimate equates to roughly $2,000 per tree over the contract life (1,500 trees for $3,000,000). Council approved the item without further objection after members requested written follow-up from the department.
Next steps: Administration agreed to provide a district-by-district list and more details within two weeks; council members asked that that information be distributed to all members and included the inspection-to-removal timeline.
