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Agenda Report
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November 17, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Water and Power Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH TREE SERVICE KINGS, INC. FOR TREE TRIMMING,
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SERVICES FOR POWER LINE CLEARANCE FOR UP TO SIX YEARS
FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $24,415,000
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21080(b) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 as an action necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency and is categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Class 1, Section 15301, Existing Facilities and Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land, and that there are no features that distinguish the project from others in the exempt classes and, therefore, there are no unusual circumstances; and
2. Award contract to lowest and best bid dated September 17, 2025, submitted by Tree Service Kings, Inc. ("TSK") in response to the project plans and specifications for Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response Services for Power Line Clearance, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for up to six years for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $24,415,000, which includes the option for three additional one-year extensions or an amount not-to-exceed $13,272,000, at the discretion of the City Manager.
BACKGROUND:
Pasadena Water and Power Department ("PWP") delivers electricity to over 65,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers within the city of Pasadena. As a key provider of essential utility services, PWP plays a critical role in supporting the City's infrastructure by ensuring the reliable delivery of water and power, while also advancing environmental sustainability and maintaining a high standard of customer sen/ice. j
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MEETING OF.11/17/2025AGENDA ITEM NO..12
Contract Award to Tree Service Kings for Tree Trimming Services November 17, 2025
In compliance with California Public Utilities Commission General Order 95, the electric utilities in California must engage in proactive vegetation management around overhead power distribution lines. This practice is widely recognized as a best practice within utility sector to enhance public safety, ensure reliability of electric service and substantially reduce wildfire risks, particularly in California Public Utilities Commission designated high fire-threat areas.
PWP traditionally procures dedicated contract services for powerline tree trimming, routinely trimming approximately 7,800 trees each year that pose a potential interference with energized electrical lines. Most of the tree trimming work occurs behind residential properties rather than within the public right-of-way. Regular vegetation management around energized lines is essential for maintaining public safety and uninterrupted reliability of electric service.
In addition to routine vegetation management, the proposed contract will include 24/7 emergency response capability. This includes unplanned tree trimming or removal required to restore service or ensure safety following events such as high winds, storms, wildfires, or vehicle collisions involving trees.
All contractors performing powerline tree trimming for PWP must utilize Qualified Line Clearance Tree Workers who have specialized training, experience, and expertise necessary for working safely near energized lines. These operations require electrically insulated equipment and are typically performed within residential areas. Additionally, PWP mandates that a certified arborist, credentialed by the International Society of Arboriculture, serve as an on-site job foreman to ensure the trimming preserves the natural character and health of each tree to the greatest extent possible.
On August 28, 2025, a Notice Inviting Bids for the Specifications for Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response Services for Power Line Clearance was published on the City's electronic procurement platform, OpenGov. The notice was automatically distributed to all vendors registered with the City under the applicable commodity codes for related services. A total of 41 vendors downloaded the Specifications, none of which were local. A total of twelve bids were received by the bid due date of September 18, 2025, with no bids received from a local firm. The bid results are summarized below in Table I.
Contract Award to Tree Service Kings for Tree Trimming Services November 17, 2025
Table I: Bid Summary
BidderLocationAnnual Bid
Amount
Tree Service Kings, Inc.Canoga Park, CA$2,975,555.00
West Coast Tree Service, Inc.Anderson, CA$3,105,610.00
Pacific Coast Tree ExpertsCanoga Park, CA$3,258,280.20
Utility Tree Service LLCChina Hills, CA$3,385,131.80
Community Tree Service, LLCWatsonville, CA$3,392,800.00 ArborWorks, LLCOakhurst, CA$3,721,243.80
West Coast Arborists, Inc.Anaheim, CA$3,756,600.00
Rolling Green, Inc.San Bernardino,
CA$3,924,420.00
Core Tree CareCorona, CA$4,396,100.00
Maria's Tree Service, Inc.Corona, CA$4,673,520.00
Wright Tree Service of the West,
Inc.
West Des Moines,
IA$4,929,108.80
Golden West Arbor Services, Inc.Pomona, CA$12,628,300.00 TSK was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. PWP staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with TSK for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $24,415,000, which includes the base contract amount of $11,143,000 for three years, and the option for three additional one-year extensions, or an amount not-to-exceed $4,169,000 for the first extension, $4,419,000 for the second extension, and $4,684,000 for the third extension at the discretion of the City Manager.
The recommended not-to-exceed amount is based on PWP's anticipated workload and projected cost increases throughout the term of the contract. The proposed contract complies with the Competitive Bidding and Purchasing Ordinance pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 4.08 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
No prior contracts with TSK have been awarded.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The proposed contract is consistent with the City Council's goals to maintain fiscal responsibility and stability, and PWP's strategic initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and confidence, improve efficiency and business continuity, and maintain PWP's fiscal health and stability.
Contract Award to Tree Service Kings for Tree Trimming Services November 17, 2025
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301, Existing Facilities (Class 1) and Section 15304, Minor Alternations to Land (Class 4). The Class 1 categorical exemption consists of "the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use." Among the examples of the types of projects included in Class 1 is, "Maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply reservoirs" (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Subsection (h)). The Class 4 categorical exemption consists of, "minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes." The proposed contract allows for continued tree trimming services of existing trees near energized electrical lines. There would be no expansion of use, and all tree trimming will continue to comply with applicable code requirements. In addition, there are no features that distinguish the project from others in the exempt class and, therefore, there are no unusual circumstances.
In addition, the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code (CEQA) Section 21080(b) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 as an action necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
Contract Award to Tree Service Kings for Tree Trimming Services November 17, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of the recommended action is $24,415,000 over six years, if the optional one- year extensions are exercised, as broken out in the following table.
Fiscal YearAmount
2026 (2nd half)$ 1,750,000
2027$ 3,710,000
2028$ 3,933,000
2029$ 4,169,000
2030$ 4,419,000
2031$ 4,684,000
2032 (1st half)$ 1,750,000
The Department will utilize existing budgeted appropriations in the Power Operating Fund (401) to support the first year of contract costs. Future contract costs will be budgeted as part of the department's annual operating budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID M. REYES
General Manager
Water and Power Department
Prepared by:
Varbojan Avedian
Assistant General Manager
Water and Power Department
Approved by:
/IARQUEZ
City Manager
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