CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Option Year One to Contract 17-169, Parkway Tree Trimming, to Steve Piper and Sons for an amount not to exceed $150,000
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DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
SUBMITTED BY: Richard Dublinski, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
In November 2017, the City Council approved the award of Contract 17-169, Parkway Tree Trimming, to Steve Piper and Sons for a one year term with four, one-year options to extend. The City of Naperville's tree trimming program is intended to promote healthy, safe and attractive growth. Any trees planted in the parkway by the City or by private homeowners are the property and the responsibility of the City of Naperville to maintain.
To maintain a healthy urban forest, a six-year trimming cycle is recommended as a best management practice, which requires the City to trim more than 11,500 trees each year.
Due to a reduction in the number of trees trimmed by both the contractor and in-house staff since 2010, the department is now on an eight to nine-year tree trimming cycle. This has resulted in more than 1,100 service requests for trimming and downed branches per year. The Department of Public Work's goal is to return to trimming the parkway trees on a six to seven-year cycle. A more systematic approach to tree trimming will reduce service requests for trimming and downed branches as well as decrease tree related liability claims for property damage.
DISCUSSION:
Steve Piper and Sons has provided good service during the initial term of the contract and has agreed to renew the contract for an additional year. Piper originally requested a 10% increase associated with labor cost increases. City staff negotiated a 3% increase.
This contract was established to supplement the in-house tree trimming program and to trim between 5,000 and 6,000 trees per year depending on the size of the trees. Under the current tree trimming cycle, DPW intends...
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