REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Citywide Tree Service Agreements
Report
BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department (department) maintains approximately 11,000 residential street trees and 2,500 trees planted in medians, parkways, and other properties. The department utilizes contractors to provide tree trimming, removal, planting, and emergency services to supplement the efforts of a small in-house tree maintenance crew.
The department will spend approximately $704,000 to maintain these trees in FY 2018/19 as recommended in the proposed operating budget. The FY 2018/19 budget contains allocations of $424,000 for tree trimming, $130,000 for tree removals, $120,000 for emergency call-outs, and $30,000 for tree planting. These tree maintenance agreements will enable the City to maintain a trimming cycle of every three to six years, depending on the specie of tree.
Proactive tree trimming encourages trees to grow with strong branch structure, reduces the risk of branch and whole-tree failure during high winds by reducing end weight, and provides clearance for vehicles and pedestrians. The City forest is aging and some trees are reaching the end of their life span. These trees need to be removed to minimize the risk of injury to the public and damage to property. The planting of new trees helps replenish the City forest and plays a key role in reducing climate change effects by absorbing carbon dioxide. Santa Clara was named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its ongoing commitment to effective urban forest management for 31 consecutive years.
This item was originally brought before City Council and considered at a meeting on May 22, 2018, Item 2.I (Attachment 1). City Council did not approve the item and directed Staff to revisit the contract amount being recommended for West Coast Arborists, Inc. a local Santa Clara company, to see if it could be increased. Staff coordinated with the Finance Department and revisited the budget...
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