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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITYWIDE TREE REMOVAL AND STUMP GRIND PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. NOE34-22 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind, Project No. WD22053.
2. Approve the specifications for the Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind, Project No. WD22053.
3. Award a Service Contract in the amount of $267,817.50 to Rancho Tree Service of Bakersfield, CA, for the Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind, Project No. WD22053.
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 resolution.
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Summary
The Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind project will remove 435 City-owned trees and four stumps at various locations Citywide (Attachments A and B). This project will remove trees in preparation for the upcoming Citywide Sidewalk Repair, Project No. WD22053.
On December 1, 2022, the City received nine bids for this project. Staff recommends award of the Service Contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Rancho Tree Service, in the amount of $267,817.50. Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE34-22 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approving the specifications for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2023 and be completed by late fall 2023, weather permitting.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City maintains approximately 780 centerline miles of streets, most of which contain curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. Prior to 1968, the adjacent property owner was responsible for all maintenance of the curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, in accordance with the Streets and Highways Improvement Act of 1911. In 1968, Council revised the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) to assume responsibility for repairs to all curbs, gutters, and sidewalks in cases where the damage is caused by City-owned or controlled trees (prior SMC 12.04.040).
The City regularly receives requests to repair curbs, gutters, and sidewalks and the installation of curb ramps. Each request is evaluated to determine whether the repair is the City's responsibility. If repairs are warranted, the location is added to a database for future permanent repairs. For sidewalk locations needing immediate correction, the temporary repair is made using asphalt concrete material to patch the displaced area and remove the tripping hazard. Permanent repairs are made as funding becomes available and are prioritized in chronological order based on the date of the original service request.
Permanent repairs of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks damaged by a City-owned tree, including tree root trimming as needed, involve the complete removal and replacement of concrete. A determination is made to preserve the adjacent City-owned tree causing the damage or remove it. The City tries to preserve existing trees where feasible, and each tree is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The evaluation includes the following:
• Tree's existing health;
• Ability to trim roots without negatively impacting the tree's health and/or compromising its structural integrity; and
• Feasibility of modifying the sidewalk from typical design standards to leave the tree as-is, without trimming roots.
Preservation of the tree increases the probability that sidewalk damage will re-occur. There is an inherent conflict between preserving the City-owned trees and reducing the inventory of tree-damaged sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
After completion of the Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind project, which will remove 435 City-owned trees and four stumps at 275 locations, the City will proceed with advertising a Citywide Sidewalk Repair project. This upcoming project is anticipated to remove and replace concrete at approximately 420 locations Citywide.
On July 26, 2016, Council adopted a Community Workforce and Training Agreement (CWTA). The CWTA became effective August 25, 2016, and applies to all Public Works projects over $1 million that are bid after that date. On July 16, 2019, by Motion No. 2019-07-16-1403, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2024. The CWTA was not applied to this project because the estimated construction cost was less than $1 million.
Present Situation
On November 9, 2022, the Citywide Tree Removal and Stump Grind, Project No. WD22053, was advertised for bids. On December 1, 2022, nine bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT ADJUSTED BID AMOUNT
(local preference applied)
Rancho Tree Service $267,817.50 $267,817.50
(Bakersfield, CA)
Nate's Tree Service, Inc. $339,441.00 $339,441.00
(Sonora, CA)
P31 Enterprises, Inc. $387,496.56 $387,496.56
(Oroville, CA)
West Coast Arborists, Inc. $398,900.00 $390,922.00
(Stockton, CA)
The Professional Tree Care Co. $530,325.00 $530,325.00
(Berkeley, CA)
Joe’s Landscaping & Concrete $575,200.00 $575,200.00
(Newman, CA)
Mountain F Enterprises, Inc. $598,027.00 $598,027.00
(Folsom, CA)
Bay Area Tree Specialists $698,980.00 $698,980.00
(San Jose, CA)
Mariposa Tree Management, Inc. $1,341,350.00 $1,341,350.00
(Irwindale, CA)
Engineer's Estimate $498,500.00
The contract will be awarded based on the lowest responsive bid received. The requirements of SMC section 3.68.090, Local Business Preference, apply to this project. West Coast Arborists, Inc. is located within the County and is entitled to a two percent bid preference. Application of the Local Business Preference has no effect on the bid order. The Local Employment Ordinance, SMC section 3.68.095, also applies to this contract.
The bid from Rancho Tree Service, the lowest responsive bidder, is regular in all respects. Rancho Tree Service has the proper license to perform the work. Staff recommends Council approve the specifications for the project and award a Service Contract to Rancho Tree Service of Bakersfield, CA, in the amount of $267,817.50.
The project is in conformance with the City's General Plan, pursuant to California Government Code, section 65402, and is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15301(c) of the CEQA guidelines. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City's jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE34-22 under CEQA. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2023 and be completed by late fall 2023, weather permitting.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Council approved discretionary funding in the amount of $4,000,000 on May 3, 2022, by Resolution No. 2022-05-03-0903, and appropriated funding to the Citywide Sidewalk Repair, Project No. WD22053.
There is sufficient funding for Citywide Sidewalk Repair, Project No. WD22053, Account No. 4570-000-800007-300-301-30-45-4570-000, to award a Service Contract to Rancho Tree Service in the amount of $267,817.50.
There is no impact to the City's General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.
Attachment A - Project Location Map
Attachment B - Project Location List