Oak Forest committee picks Nature's Care for entrance landscaping, conditions price lock and timing

The Oak Forest committee voted March 4 to approve Nature's Care to install landscaping at four neighborhood entrances, contingent on the contractor extending its proposal price for the committee nd staff confirming reclaimed-water availability for plant establishment.

The action followed public comment from Nature's Care representative Jamie Bulliar, who said her company had submitted a complete bid and objected to remarks that another bidder "came significantly under budget," calling that claim slanderous. "We did everything we're supposed to do," Bulliar said, urging the committee to consider the Nature's Care proposal.

Staff told the committee that four companies had been contacted for quotes, two did not respond, and two proposals were received. One bidder, Baker Commercial Landscaping, did not provide a rendering; Nature's Care submitted drawings that staff said applied to all four entrances. Staff described the process as direct quote solicitation rather than a formal RFP because the project falls below the jurisdiction's $50,000 RFP threshold.

Committee members raised concerns about timing and plant establishment. Staff warned that April is typically drier and that new plantings require more frequent watering during the first weeks and months. "We re starting to go into what is typically a drier part of the year," a staff member said, recommending the board consider mid-to-late May for installation to reduce drought risk.

Several committee members said there was value in using the firm that already performs the district's maintenance, noting easier warranty enforcement and single-vendor accountability for both installation and follow-up care. A committee member recommended making approval contingent on the chosen contractor extending the price validity for 60 days; staff said they would ask the vendor to hold its price and could proceed administratively once staff verified the extension and the availability of reclaimed water.

A motion reflecting that contingency was seconded and the committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor. The committee did not set a firm start date at the meeting; staff said they would return with confirmation of the vendor's extension and an install window once reclaimed-water logistics and the vendor's availability were resolved.

The committee also discussed site-specific elements such as existing Japanese blueberry trees, screening around a signal-controller cabinet and the scope of work (the contract covers all four entrances). Staff said certain larger existing specimens might remain in place and that some future screening or tree replacement could be considered later. The committee asked staff to follow up on the requested price-hold and water-availability contingencies and to report back by staff correspondence or as allowed under the contingent approval.

The committee adjourned following additional public input and routine business.