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Council delays decision on $616,700 tree‑maintenance contract after protest and public comments
Summary
Staff recommended awarding a two‑year tree maintenance contract (2026–2028) to Elite Maintenance & Tree Service for $616,700 with $100,000 change‑order authority; West Coast Arborists protested qualifications, multiple public commenters urged rebidding or supported one firm, and council voted to continue the item to a later meeting for fuller council participation.
City staff recommended awarding the 2026–2028 tree maintenance contract to Elite Maintenance & Tree Service for a base amount of $616,700 and authority for change orders up to $100,000. Interim Public Works Director and City Engineer Sean Nathan reviewed bid procedures, explained additional contract requirements (GIS‑compatible tree inventory and two years' public‑agency experience), and said staff verified references and observed the vendor's GIS demonstration.
West Coast Arborists filed a protest, asserting Elite lacked the required public‑agency tree inventory and GIS experience. Multiple public speakers made opposing cases: Luis Hernandez (labor representative) urged rebidding and local‑preference language to prioritize local workers; Steve Dutra (Tree Lodi) supported West Coast Arborists for community stewardship; Tim Patterson (West Coast Arborists area manager) urged rejection and rebid because of a wide spread between low and high bids; Jose Flores (Elite regional manager) defended Elite's capability and said the company planned a local lease and staffing. Council members discussed legal options—awarding to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, rejecting all bids and rebidding, or continuing the item for full council participation. Given concerns about fairness, bid visibility and the absence of one councilmember, the council moved the item to the next meeting with the expectation of additional discussion and possible action then.
