Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with A Plus Tree, LLC for Citywide Urban Forest Tree Treatment Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $1,000,000.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) (Public Works 26941570)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Public Works Department oversees the City of Alameda (City) Urban Forest Program. The program consists of managing the City’s public trees and landscaping. The City manages 25,962 park and street trees, consisting of 353 different species. Much of the care for these trees is provided under service provider agreements. The City’s existing agreement for treatment services needs updating to ensure treatment capacity for current program needs, including on-call services, as well as tracking to aid in recovery monitoring.
Following a competitive selection process, staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with A Plus Tree, LLC to provide Citywide tree treatment services for Alameda’s urban forest. The proposed agreement includes an updating of treatment options to assist staff in applying the most appropriate course of treatment when working to preserve the health and integrity of Alameda’s urban forest. It also includes contract capacity for on-call services to allow for unforeseen treatment needs.
BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department uses contract services to provide necessary treatment for the trees in Alameda’s urban forest. The scope of work includes soil and root injections (in accordance with City staff and arborist recommendations), as well as tracking and treatment recovery plans. The scope of work and associated per unit pricing also allows for on-call services which will allow staff to respond to unforeseen treatment needs. Work under this agreement will be performed in accordance with delivery of the Urban Forest program and at the direction of the City, as such the contractor is not guaranteed any of the agreement amount as the services will be provided on an as-needed basis.
DISCUSSION
On January 24, 2025, staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for these tree treatment services. After a submittal period of thirteen (13) days, staff received four (4) proposals. Based on review of the proposals and the criteria of the RFP, staff recommends that A Plus Tree, LLC represents the vendor best able to meet the City’s needs and recommends awarding a five-year agreement in an amount not-to-exceed $1,000,000.
Proposers were asked to include per-treatment cost for the City's entire list of possible treatments for Alameda's urban forest. A Plus Tree, LLC was selected based on their costing being overall the lowest per treatment, as well as their responsiveness to the other criteria included in the RFP.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute the five-year agreement with A Plus Tree, LLC to provide tree treatment services for Alameda’s Urban Forest Program.
• Do not authorize the agreement and direct staff to conduct a new solicitation.
• Have this work performed in-house by Public Works staff. The Public Works Department does not currently have staffing to provide this service so hiring additional full-time staff would be necessary to fulfil this scope of work.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budget for the proposed agreement is available and appropriated to the Urban Forest Program (26941570) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. Funding for subsequent years in the agreement is subject to City Council appropriations approval. There is no impact on the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. The work in this agreement is consistent with the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP, 2019), and the City’s Strategic Plan Priority to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Water Level Rise. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this project is exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
Research has shown that urban forests provide a variety of environmental, social, health and economic benefits to residents, including Improved air quality, reducing energy required for cooling, reduced storm-water runoff and improved water quality, and preservation of wildlife.
The continued and prompt maintenance of Alameda’s urban forest ensures these environmental benefits and improve local resiliency to potential climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with A PLUS Tree, LLC for Citywide urban forest tree treatment services in an amount not-to-exceed $1,000,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Jesse Barajas, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement