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APPROVE MOTION TO AWARD A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ON-CALL ARBORIST SERVICES FOR THE TRANSFORMATIVE CLIMATE COMMUNITIES GRANT ROUND 4
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Award a Service Contract to CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. of Auburn, CA, in the amount of $293,920, for On-Call Arborist Services for the Transformative Climate Communities Grant Round 4, Project No. OM-24-095/WE24052.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
On October 27, 2022, the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) awarded the City a $24,165,510 Round 4 Implementation Grant for Stockton Rising through the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program. On September 12, 2023, Council authorized the execution of a grant agreement for the Urban Forest Renovation project in the amount of $4,509,930. The project will create a sustainable urban forestry program that will plant and manage trees to improve the quality of life of residents.
On November 5, 2024, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for On-Call Arborist Services for the TCC Grant Round 4, Project No. OM-24-095/WE24052. On December 4, 2024, two firms submitted proposals for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Service Contract, in the amount of $293,920, with CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. for On-Call Arborist Services for the TCC Grant Round 4 project (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
On August 21, 2018, by Resolution No. 2018-08-21-1111, Council approved an application for a TCC Planning Grant in the amount of $170,000. The Planning Grant activities were carried out from October 2018 to October 2019. The results of those activities, such as the development of the Sustainable Neighborhood Plan, sought to directly capture the perspectives of residents and translate them into actionable strategies, such as reducing the cost of utilities through renewable energy sources. Following the conclusion of the Planning Grant activities, City staff worked with a coalition of partners and stakeholders to develop an application for a TCC Round 3 Implementation Grant in the amount of $28,200,000, resulting in a partial award of $10,834,490.
Because the City was not provided with a full TCC Round 3 Implementation Grant award, the SGC modified the rules to allow the City to apply for another TCC Implementation Grant during Round 4. On June 21, 2022, by Resolution No. 2022-06-21-1207, Council approved an application for a TCC Round 4 Implementation Grant in the amount of $24,165,510. On October 27, 2022, the SGC awarded the City a $24,165,510 Round 4 Implementation Grant for Stockton Rising through the TCC program. The Round 4 Implementation Grant began immediately following the conclusion of the Round 3 Implementation Grant on September 30, 2023.
On September 12, 2023, by Resolution No. 2023-09-12-1502, Council authorized the TCC Round 4 Implementation Grant for the Urban Forest Renovation project in the amount of $4,509,930. The project will create a sustainable urban forestry program that will plant and manage trees to improve the quality of life of residents. The project includes the removal of 500 stumps and planting of approximately 1,500 trees at locations where trees were lost to natural events. The Public Works Department will work alongside Little Manila Rising to implement this project.
Present Situation
On November 5, 2024, the City advertised an RFP for On-Call Arborist Services for the TCC Grant Round 4, Project No. OM-24-095/WE24052. On December 4, 2024, two proposals were received from the following firms:
• Davey Resources Group, Inc. (Kent, OH)
• CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. (Auburn, CA)
The Selection Committee, comprised of Little Manila Rising staff and Public Works staff, evaluated and ranked the proposals based on each firm’s experience, references, quality of work, qualifications of staff, and ability to support the TCC project area’s urban forest. CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. received the highest ranking, based on the noted criteria, and was determined to be the most qualified firm to perform the work.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Service Contract, in the amount of $293,920, with CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. for On-Call Arborist Services for the TCC Grant Round 4, Project No. OM-24-095/WE24052 (Attachment A).
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The City does not have sufficient staff and expertise to support this project.
2. The scope for on-call arborist services requires an experienced, qualified, and certified firm that specializes in urban forestry.
3. CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. is a qualified firm that successfully provides qualified arborists and tree services.
4. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Service Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of the criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is sufficient funding available in the TCC Grant Round 4 Urban Forest Renovation, Project No. WE24052, to award a Service Contract to CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc. of Auburn, CA, in the amount of $293,920, for On-Call Arborist Services for the TCC Grant Round 4, Project No. OM-24-095/WE24052.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.
Attachment A - Service Contract with CalTLC dba California Tree and Landscape Consulting, Inc.