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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2025
FROM: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE CONTRACT WITH EMTS, INC. FOR LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR VARIOUS SITES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 04
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Approve Contract No. MA 106-498851 with EMTS, Inc. dba Elite Maintenance & Tree Service, to provide landscape maintenance services for various sites throughout the City for a one-year base term of $319,303, with up to four optional one-year renewals, for a cumulative contract amount of $1,596,515, plus annual renewal increases subject to CPI, applicable taxes, and a 20% contingency; and authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute the contract and all necessary documents related to the contract including renewal options, in accordance with Request for Proposal No. 412-288461-MQ; and
2. Waive the sealed bidding requirements of Council Policy 4.0 and ratify a four- month second extension of the current master agreement with Brightview Landscape Services for the continued provision of landscape maintenance services during the solicitation process, increasing the contract amount by $21,000.
DISCUSSION:
Landscape maintenance services are essential for preserving the aesthetic appeal, functionality, and value of outdoor spaces. Regular maintenance ensures that plants remain healthy, lawns stay lush, and outdoor areas are safe and visually pleasing. By maintaining a consistent upkeep routine, the City can prevent costly repairs, improve community image, and extend the lifespan of landscape investments.
On December 20, 2022, Council approved the issuance of a master agreement with Brightview Landscape Services for landscape maintenance of various sites overseen by both Community Services and Public Works. The agreement was set to expire on December 31, 2024. Staff initiated renewal discussions consistent with the terms of the original bid, which limited allowable price increases. However, Brightview proposed a rate adjustment exceeding the permitted increase, citing rising labor and materials costs.
Approve Contract for Landscape Maintenance Services for Various Sites November 18, 2025
On December 17, 2024, City Council authorized a five-month extension in an amount not to exceed $57,920.20 to ensure uninterrupted service while staff prepared a new formal solicitation. Following the expiration of the extended agreement, additional time was required to review, revise, and expand the scope of services for the Public Works managed sites, which were solicited separately from those overseen by Community Services.
To ensure continuity and availability of these services, Purchasing solicited proposals through the City’s procurement platform, which issued notification to numerous vendors. Ten vendors downloaded the solicitation documents, with eight submitting complete proposals.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) sought a fixed monthly cost for comprehensive landscape maintenance services across eight Public Works managed sites throughout the City. Services include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of plant materials, turf management, irrigation system monitoring, planter and hardscape maintenance, litter and debris removal, mowing, edging, tree trimming, fertilization, weed and pest control, and seasonal cleanups. Vendors were also required to provide a fixed trimming cost per tree type based on an estimated annual need for pruning approximately 307 trees located throughout the various sites.
Proposals were evaluated based on five weighted criteria to ensure a comprehensive review process: experience and qualifications, proposed work plan and approach, pricing, availability and capacity, and safety and regulatory compliance. Each proposal was scored based on these criteria.
The final rankings are as follows:
Vendor Ranking
EMTS, Inc.
Paso Robles, CA 1
PRIDE Industries One
Roseville, CA 2
American Heritage Landscape
Canoga Park, CA 3
Cornerstone Landscape Care, Inc.
Santa Ana, CA 4
SGD Enterprises
Van Nuys, CA 5
Mariposa Landscape Inc.
Irwindale, CA 6
Stay Green
Santa Clarita, CA 7
Brightview Landscape Services
Anaheim, CA 8
Approve Contract for Landscape Maintenance Services for Various Sites November 18, 2025
After a thorough evaluation, staff recommends awarding the contract to EMTS, Inc.
EMTS demonstrated extensive experience working with municipalities and a strong record of successfully delivering comparable projects. Their proposal reflected a clear understanding of municipal expectations and detailed the specific team members assigned to this contract—each with relevant expertise and direct experience in similar public-sector projects. The company’s transparency, qualifications, and positive references from other municipalities distinguished them from other proposers and contributed significantly to their top ranking.
The proposed agreement includes a one-year base term, with up to four optional one- year renewals. Pricing will remain fixed during the initial one-year term and shall be negotiated each year of the renewal periods, but shall not exceed the most recent 12- month Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Labor for the Los Angeles–Long Beach– Anaheim, CA area. In the event the renewal request is beyond the CPI due to price fluctuations in the landscaping industry, Contractor must provide verifiable evidence to support the requested increase. It will be at the sole discretion of the City to accept or reject such an increase.
A 20% contingency is recommended to address any unforeseen maintenance needs that may arise during the term of the agreement.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Public Works Department’s Facilities Fund Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget. Funding for subsequent years will be subject to Council’s approval of budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted, Concurred by,
Deborah A. Moreno Rudy Emami
Finance Director/ City Treasurer Public Works Director Attachment:
1. Contract No. MA 106-498851