Council renews $75,000 orchard-maintenance contract with museum, limits term to one year

The City Council authorized a renewal of the orchard-maintenance contract with the Los Altos History Museum for up to $75,000 annually and directed staff to evaluate whether the city should change how it contracts for orchard services.

Councilmember Daley moved to authorize the city manager to execute the $75,000 annual renewal and to begin an evaluation of the contracting dynamic. Councilmember Weinberg offered a friendly amendment limiting the contract term to no more than one year; the amendment was accepted and the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Council debate focused on whether the museum should remain the contracting intermediary now that the Orchard Commons Committee is no longer active. Councilmember Weinberg said he was concerned the museum is largely serving as a pass-through to the orchardist and asked whether the city could manage the contract directly; city staff said transitioning in-house was possible but would require coordination and lead time because the museum currently holds a contract with the orchardist.

Public commenters urged caution and called for more thorough drafting and oversight. John Baer said that when the city previously managed the orchard, it was not managed well and that additional community input may be warranted. After brief discussion, the council limited the term to allow more time for staff to analyze whether the city should take on the contract directly.

Outcome: Council approved the city manager’s execution of the $75,000 annual contract renewal and directed follow-up evaluation; the contract term was limited to one year.