Laserfiche WebLink
0 Forestry Services <br />At the work session on August 11, 2009 Council requested additional information on the <br />forestry position. <br />1) Contact Mounds View to see if they would be interested in changing the joint powers <br />agreement and overseeing this position. Manager Lotter contacted Mounds View City <br />Administrator, Jim Ericson and he indicated that Mounds View would not be interested in <br />this arrangement. <br />2) Contract out the forestry position and get prices on what costs would be associated. <br />North Oaks, population 4,500, pays $50,000 for contractual services. The fees pay for <br />the independent contractor to diagnosis diseased trees. Removal fees are the <br />responsibility of the resident; no city funds are allocated. <br />Listed below are items to consider when looking at contractual vs. employee of the City. <br />Tree Removal Contract and Tree Trimming Contract -- impartial oversight of <br />competitive bid process for contracting. <br />Sealed delivery oversight, advertising, opening and council report for tree <br />removal bid. <br />- One contractor supervising another competitor (possible a conflict of <br />interest?) <br />- Bid process could be altered (example: current cost $13.50/dia. inch - <br />vs. $25/dia. inch lg. company bid). Professional service/removal costs <br />could rise significantly to nearly $50,000. <br />Tree Trimming on City Property — during the months of October -March the City <br />Forester currently trims small and medium sized trees for 4 hours daily. Currently 500- <br />700 trees per year. Estimated cost for a contractor: $25,000 ($50/per tree x 500). <br />Efficient Execution of Mandated and Essential Services - <br />- Dutch Elm & Oak Wilt Removal (per City ordinance) <br />- Hazard tree inspections, notifications, removal and billing <br />- Roadway safety and clearance <br />- Park safety and clearance <br />- Potential oversight of Emerald Ash Borer infestation <br />Storm Recovery and Clean-up Considerations — contractor would need to impartially <br />work with residents and other city staff to get the most efficient and least costly rate. <br />- 10 major storms have occurred in Forester's tenure with the City. <br />HADem\Budget 2010 August 25 2009 Discussicn.doc <br />