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Council approves larger tree-maintenance contract after staff warns of higher costs
Summary
The Glendale City Council approved a six-year tree-maintenance contract recommended for West Coast Arborist after staff described higher labor, fuel and disposal costs and a three-year warranty on new plantings. The proposal prompted sustained questioning about a 57% estimated price increase and contract oversight.
The Glendale City Council voted to award a six-year tree maintenance contract to West Coast Arborist after staff said the updated agreement reflects major cost increases and expanded warranty terms.
Dan Hargrove, the city’s assistant director of public works, told the council the city’s tree program covers roughly 50,000 city-owned trees and that the contract would align work to a six-year full-trim cycle for most trees and an annual cycle for about 5,000 palms. "We have about 50,000 city-owned street trees," Hargrove said, describing the program’s scale and the proposed three-year warranty for new plantings.
Hargrove and staff attributed the proposed rise in contract cost to several factors, including prevailing-wage adjustments for tree-trimming trades, higher fuel and equipment costs, increased disposal and recycling fees for green waste and broader insurance and liability rates. Staff also said the new scope folded watering and a longer warranty into planting costs, which raises unit prices but aims to reduce long-term mortality.
Council members pressed staff for a clearer breakdown of the 57% increase compared with the outgoing contract, asking how much of it was due to prevailing wage adjustments, inflation and higher service volumes. Staff said the RFP produced two responsive bids and that industry-wide prevailing-wage updates (not passed to cities earlier) and other operating costs accounted for a large portion of the increase.
Several council members and members of the public urged caution about locking in a multiyear agreement. One public speaker suggested a shorter-term contract to preserve flexibility and to allow the city to consider new providers or innovations.
After debate and public comments, the council moved and seconded the item and took a roll call; the motion carried. The contract will include performance benchmarks and stated staff will return with contract documents and reporting expectations. Staff characterized the recommended contract as a fixed-price arrangement for the initial term with options to extend.
The council’s approval authorizes staff to finalize the agreement and proceed with implementation. The city flagged the potential for additional public inquiries about per-tree unit costs and said it would provide further cost breakdowns in follow-up briefings.
