Committee advances $3 million, three-year tree trimming contract and presses for accountability

A Detroit City Council Neighborhood Community Service Study Committee advanced a three-year, $3,000,000 contract recommendation with Tree Man Services LLC for major-street tree trimming and removal.

Assistant Director Alex Weatherup of the General Services Department told the committee the department intends to award one contractor per council district plus two roving contractors to provide surge capacity after storms or concentrated need. "Our forestry team surveys and evaluates the trees that need service, and then based on condition and safety we prioritize those that pose the biggest risk to safety first," Weatherup said.

Weatherup said the contract pricing is fixed at the point of contract and that there are "no change orders." He described quarterly reviews and vendor volume benchmarks the department will use to remove contractors that do not meet requirements. On equitable distribution, he said the two roving contractors will be dedicated to areas with higher need and that Districts 1 and 3 currently have the most trees requiring survey and removal.

Council members asked how districts were prioritized, how the $3,000,000 would be allocated over the three-year term, and what performance measures would ensure response times and quality. Weatherup said the department will track volumes and response benchmarks quarterly and that the district-based contractor model is intended to ensure coverage and faster surge response.

The committee voted to move the item to formal session with recommendations for approval.

The committee did not record a final contract award at the meeting; the motion forwarded the item for formal session consideration and a future vote.