July 11, 2023
Public Works
DATE: July 11, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Greg Hardesty, Parks & Landscaping Superintendent
Subject:
Proposed Contracts with Julian Tree Care and Best
Quality Tree Service
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed total of $82,000 for these contracts is included in the Emergency Recovery 2023 Winter Storm
budget (13423131-400201-STR23).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance
Division is seeking approval of contracts with Julian Tree Care and Best Quality Tree Service for storm-related tree removals.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE contracts with Julian Tree Care in an amount
not to exceed $42,000, and Best Quality Tree Service in an amount not to exceed $40,000, with a term from July
11, 2023 through December 31, 2023, to provide tree
removal services – Public Works Department (Daniel
Chavarria 510-620-5478/ Greg Hardesty 510-620-6920).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 11, 2023
DISCUSSION:
Nicholl Park:
The Southern border of Nicholl Park abuts the Right-of-Way (ROW) for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail system. Prior to the BART rail line installation, an older rail ROW was in use. Historically, Eucalyptus trees were planted along this edge of the property separating and distinguishing the ROW from the park. It is estimated that these Eucalyptus trees are about 80 years old with many of them now taller than 100 feet. The trees sit about eight to ten feet from the BART ROW fence. Older, large Eucalyptus trees are known to suddenly release branches especially after a period of very warm days followed by cooler windy weather. In March of this year, we experienced three weeks of extreme storms which affected these trees with several large branches falling.
The BART rail system has been affected by these trees multiple times. BART must remove fallen limbs and leaves from the tracks often. Two times this year, a branch has fallen causing damage to their power chase and crossing the rail itself. This interrupted rail service each time for more than two hours. The proposal to eliminate 16 of the most dangerous trees and reduce the size of the remaining trees is in the best interest of public safety.
318 Arizona Avenue:
Two massive Eucalyptus trees are located on a hillside which would have been Arizona Avenue, if the street had been constructed. Complicating the situation is the electrical service for the resident at 407 Nevada Avenue which uses the ROW of the street to supply the resident with electricity and phone service. These utility lines pass through both trees and have been disconnected when storms or natural shedding of limbs occurs. Electrical service to the resident was cut off for two days due to the activity of the trees. In addition to the utility interruptions, both trees have the potential to cause damage to the residences at 318 Arizona and 407 Nevada Avenues. City staff believes that these trees were not deliberately planted and that they have been on site for at least 80 years. We have spoken to both parties concerning the fate of these two non- native trees to determine the best course of action. All parties agree that removal would be in the best interest of safety.
On April 20, 2023, a Request for Proposals was placed on BidsOnline for the removal/trimming of 32 Eucalyptus trees at Nicholl Park and two immense Eucalyptus trees at 318 Arizona. Five (5) bid proposals were received on May 16, 2023. The proposals were as follows:
July 11, 2023
Name of Bidder (City) Nicholl Park 318 Arizona
Best Quality Tree Service, San Pablo
$40,000.00
$200,000.00
Hamilton Tree Service, Inc., Martinez
$59,000.00
N/A
Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc., Riverside
$59,452.38
$96,589.21
Julian Tree Care, Richmond
$40,500.00
$42,000.00
Kingsborough Atlas Tree Surgery, Inc., Santa
Rosa
$97,111.35
$164,502.30
City staff recommends approval of contracts with Best Quality Tree Service and Julian Tree Care, the lowest responsive responsible bidders, in the amount of $40,000 and $42,000, respectively.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Julian Tree Care Contract
Attachment 2 – Best Quality Tree Service Contract
Attachment 3 – Bid Canvass
Attachment 4 – BidsOnline Report
Attachment 5 – Julian Tree Care - Bid Results
Attachment 6 – Best Quality Tree Service – Bid Results