Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Non-Professional Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Citywide Tree Pruning, Stump Removal, and Arborist Services for a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $354,000 and Appropriate $339,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to Account 010-33-001-5340 That Will be Fully Off-set by Salary Savings
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
* Infrastructure
SUMMARY
With two on-going vacant Tree Trimmer II positions (following an unsuccessful recruitment in early 2020), it is not possible for the remaining two Tree Trimmer I staff to keep up with area maintenance on the City's 20,000+ street trees. Additionally, due to retirements, the City is without a certified arborist on staff to assess the health of City trees. This contract, which leverages a competitively bid RFP by the City of Burlingame, will supplement existing in-house staff work and provide better customer service to residents by being more responsive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Non-Professional Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA) for Citywide tree pruning, stump removal, and arborist services for a not-to-exceed amount of $354,000 and to appropriate $339,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to Account 010-33-001-5340. The proposed use of reserves will be fully off-set by salary savings generated by two equivalent staff vacancies, resulting in no net impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
Prior to 2014, the Streets Services section, which includes street sweeping, graffiti removal/illegal dumping clean-ups, and maintenance of City trees, had two Tree Trimmer I's, two Tree Trimmer II's (who were also certified arborists), plus the Supervisor who had promoted up from a Tree Trimmer II and continued to do tree trimming as his other duties allowed. At that time, with the except...
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