TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Isidro Figueroa, Community Development Director
DATE: July 8, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PETER C.
HARNISCH INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY
$50,000, FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF
$100,000, FOR CONSULTING ARBORIST SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Engaged and Connected Residents
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Safe Community
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
On February 28, 2025, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Registered Consulting Arborist Peter C. Harnisch to provide consulting arborist services for private and City-owned trees. The agreement authorized a total compensation amount not to exceed $50,000 through February 28, 2028.
Mr. Harnisch provides specialized arboricultural services, including tree inspections, evaluations, appraisals, risk assessments, and technical expertise to support implementation of the City's Tree Protection Ordinance, tree removal permit review, and code enforcement activities.
DISCUSSION
Tony Chou, Mayor
Calvin Lo, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Council Member
The Public Works Department is currently experiencing a vacancy in the Urban Forester position. As a result, the City has relied on Mr. Harnisch to support both the Public Works and Community Development Departments. Mr.
Harnisch has conducted inspections, prepared arborist reports, and provided technical recommendations for City-owned trees on behalf of the Public Works Department, while continuing to assist the Community Development Department with private tree removal applications, tree appraisals, code enforcement cases, and other specialized arboricultural services. Due to this increased demand, most of the current contract amount has been expended.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 will authorize an additional $50,000, increasing the total not-to-exceed contract amount to $100,000, allowing Mr. Harnisch to continue providing consulting arborist services. The additional contract amount will allow staff to continue responding to public and private treerelated inspections, evaluations, and technical requests in a timely manner while the Urban Forester position remains vacant. The initial recruitment for the Urban Forester position did not yield a qualified candidate, and the City is preparing to initiate a second recruitment. If the second recruitment is unsuccessful, staff will evaluate the current model and determine the most effective approach to ensure continuity of arboricultural services while maintaining timely and responsive support for both the Public Works and Community Development Departments and the community.
Staff has been highly satisfied with the quality, responsiveness, and professionalism of Mr. Harnisch's services. At the time the agreement was approved, staff solicited proposals from multiple qualified arborist consulting firms. Based on that evaluation and Mr. Harnisch's performance under the agreement, staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 1 to ensure continuity of consulting arborist services.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
A budget adjustment to the FY 2026-27 operating budget is not required, as the City Council approved an appropriation of $50,000 in Community Development Department Other Contract Services account 101-14-4150- 0000. Salary savings resulting from the vacant Urban Forester position will also help offset the cost of consulting arborist services, as Mr. Harnisch is providing support for both the Community Development and Public Works Departments. Staff will monitor consulting expenditures and available salary savings throughout the fiscal year and, if necessary, return to the City Council with a budget adjustment.
The Finance Director has reviewed this report and concluded that the proposed agreement is in the best interest of the City.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Peter C. Harnisch increasing the total not-to-exceed amount to $100,000 for consulting arborist services and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment. If the City Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve the Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Peter C. Harnisch increasing the total not-to-exceed amount to $100,000 for consulting arborist services and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement Peter C. Harnisch (February 28, 2025)
2. Proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement