CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Bid 23-051, Tree Trimming, Tree Removal and Disposal of Debris, to Lewis Tree Service for an amount not to exceed $324,720.50, and for an 18-month term
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Electric Utility (Utility) has approximately 69.34 miles of overhead transmission and distribution conductors throughout the City. Trees and other landscaping have been planted in the vicinity of these conductors and routine tree trimming is important to ensure reliability for the system as well as safety of the public. The Utility has developed a four-year rotation schedule for the trimming of trees adjacent to overhead conductors. The Utility's line clearance tree trimming around overhead conductors and underground facilities is outsourced to contractors.
In addition to the overhead transmission and distribution conductors, there are over 10,000 underground transformers, switches, and electrical enclosures on the electrical system. Over the years, many of these have been identified to have obstructions of some sort, including vegetation obstructions. Over 800 obstructions have been cleared and approximately 300 still require attention. With the cable injection program and equipment inspection program the Utility currently underway, reports of additional vegetation obstructions come in daily adding to the number needing to be cleared.
In the past, the Utility used the line clearance tree trimming contractor to perform this work. The reallocation of crews from overhead tree trimming to underground tree trimming was not efficient and often created scheduling issues. Having a second contractor performing this work allowed for dedicated crews on both projects and allowed for cross utilization of contractors when needed. To date, this has proven to be beneficial to the Electric Utility in efficiency, customer relati...
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