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Huntington Park council awards tree-trimming contract after debate over vendor ties and local hires
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Summary
After a lengthy debate over pricing, local hiring and political ties, the Huntington Park City Council voted to award the citywide tree-trimming services contract with direction for negotiated local-hire and term provisions. One councilmember voted against the award citing vendor political activity.
The Huntington Park City Council voted to award the citywide tree-trimming services contract after extended debate over vendor selection, local-hire provisions and the political activities of a recommended bidder.
Public Works staff told the council they had solicited proposals, scored nine responses and interviewed the top five; West Coast Arborists ranked highest largely for emergency response capacity and a lower per-tree grid price. Staff said West Coast'9s grid price was $79 per tree, Great Scott quoted $119 per tree, Mariposa quoted $70 per tree, and the current vendor Northstar had quoted $80 per tree. Staff estimated the city maintains roughly 5,005 street trees and trims about 1,600 trees per year under the proposed three-year cycle.
During discussion, a councilmember (speaker 8) objected to awarding the contract to West Coast Arborists on the grounds of the owner'9s political fundraising activities, saying, "I will not be voting on this item to approve it because of that, and I'll stand on that." That comment prompted other members to raise competing priorities: locality and local hiring, water-conservation practices, preservation of the urban forest, pricing and contractors'9 proven capacity to care for older trees.
Several councilmembers pressed staff to include local-hire provisions and to ensure contract terms protected the city from automatic renewals or other unfavorable clauses. Staff confirmed the RFP called for a three-year term with two one-year extensions but said the council may set different award terms; council directed the city manager to negotiate final contract terms consistent with council direction.
Councilmember Macias (speaker 9) said he was concerned about Mariposa'9s relative newness to tree management and the ability to care for older trees; others highlighted Mariposa'9s water-conservation focus and preservation approach as strengths. After the discussion the council considered competing motions and ultimately voted to award the contract to Mariposa (motion put forward from the dais and seconded). The roll-call outcome recorded a majority in favor with one dissent: Councilmember Martis '9s vote and the full tally were recorded in the official minutes and roll call.
Mayor Martinez and multiple councilmembers also directed staff to ensure the city manager negotiates terms that include protections against "poison pill" clauses, consider local hiring and preserve the option to return to RFP if performance or pricing concerns arise. The city manager was authorized to finalize terms consistent with that direction.
The contract award will change which vendor maintains the city'9s urban forest; staff said the city will monitor performance and can terminate for cause or for convenience per standard contract provisions.
