Detroit committee advances multimillion‑dollar tree‑trimming contracts after debate over outsourcing and low pay

The Neighborhood Community Services Standing Committee on Thursday moved a slate of large tree‑trimming and removal contracts to formal session following a pointed exchange over why the city outsources the work and how the contracts affect local jobs.

Councilmember Renata Miller challenged staff over the committee packet, saying the city had awarded multiple contracts totaling about $13 million for tree trimming and urged the administration to expand in‑house capacity to create stable, well‑paid jobs for Detroit residents. “We gave out $3,000,000 three times and $2,000,000 two times for tree trimming,” Miller said, calling the pattern “asinine” if the city cannot retain workers at competitive wages.

Deputy Director Jarrell Harris of the General Services Department responded that the city’s in‑house forestry crew is small — roughly 20 staffers who focus on parks and recreation centers — while the public tree inventory is large. “We have about 350,000 trees in the public realm,” Harris said. He said the volume of requests, storm response needs and the geographic spread of trees make it necessary to bring on multiple private vendors. Harris added that five of the recommended vendors are Detroit‑based and that the largest contract award went to a local Black woman‑owned firm.

Harris also provided wage figures for city forestry positions: entry‑level tree artisan helpers start at about $15.89 an hour, mid‑level artisans in the mid‑$16 range, and senior artisans around $18 an hour. He said the city is hiring for multiple forestry positions and that the department continues to seek ways to improve retention and pay, noting competition with utility and private firms that can often offer higher wages.

Miller questioned the contract length and whether the city should use shorter terms to foster quicker job creation; the packet listed two years in places but staff and Office of Contracting and Procurement staff confirmed the tree‑trimming contracts are intended as three‑year agreements to address a backlog of maintenance. Tamika Williams of OCP confirmed the two‑year notation was a typo and said OCP would correct the record.

The committee moved multiple items (identified in the meeting packet as 6.3, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9) to formal session with recommendations for approval. Those items listed contract amounts generally between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000, three‑year terms upon city council approval, and major‑street funding. The committee also moved related light‑duty repair contracts (items 6.10 and 6.11) to formal session.

Clarifying details recorded during the meeting: the General Services Department said in‑house forestry staff total about 20 people; the public tree inventory is roughly 350,000 trees; recommended vendor pool includes at least five Detroit‑based firms and at least one Black woman‑owned company; advertised entry pay for tree artisan helpers is $15.89/hour, with senior artisans about $18/hour; OCP confirmed the intended contract term is three years and will correct typos in committee materials.

What happens next: the items were moved to formal session and will appear on the committee’s new‑business agenda for council consideration. The committee chair also said a more detailed tree‑canopy presentation from General Services is expected in March and will include staffing and capital‑plan details.

Sources: committee proceedings and direct remarks by Councilmember Renata Miller and Deputy Director Jarrell Harris during the Neighborhood Community Services Standing Committee meeting.