Submitted By
John P. Wielebnicki, Public Works Director
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving the Purchase and Planting of Parkways Trees through Contracts Secured by the Suburban Tree Consortium in an Amount not to Exceed $125,000.00 for the 2019 Tree Planting Program and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for said Purchase
End
Overview
Overview
The Village purchases and plants approximately 400 - 500 parkway trees annually. Most of these trees replace those removed due to disease, insect infestation, damage, or safety considerations. The Village has contracted for tree purchasing and planting through the Suburban Tree Consortium (STC) for many years.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The FY2019 Capital Improvement Fund Budget provides a total of $200,000.00 Tree purchase, planting and watering in Account No. 3095-43780-101-570957, Tree Replacement.
Of this budget amount, $125,000.00 is proposed for the purchase of trees and $72,000.00 is proposed for the watering of the trees from this planting year and the two previous planting seasons. The tree planting amount should allow for the planting of 350-400 new trees.
Staff is working with a local nursery on a program whereby seedlings are planted and nurtured until which time they can be planted in the parkway. This allows the Village to support it’s planting program with species that are not usually available from the STC nursery’s. The remaining $3,000.00 in this account is dedicated to support this initiative.
Background
The Village joined the Suburban Tree Consortium in 1987 via passage of Ordinance 1987-O-46. The STC has approximately 40 municipal members. The combined buying power of the STC enables its member communities to direct the nurseries as to the size, species, and specification of trees to be planted and grown for STC member needs. This guarantees the availability of a wide variety of trees to its members regardless of outside market pressures.
Trees grown by these nurseries conform to STC specifications suited to parkway applications. This ensures uniformity of planting stock, optimum growth habit, and high survival rates. Trees are reserved for the current year and for the four following years, guaranteeing their price and availability.
Member communities are also able to take advantage of price declines. If published catalog prices fall below the forecasted price, members are able to purchase at the lower published price, minus ten per cent (10%) rather than the original forecasted price. The tree purchase program is based on a unit price per tree, which varies depending on tree species and size.
The STC also bid out tree purchase and planting and has secured contracts with five nurseries for 2019 plantings: Beaver Creek Nursery, Beeson’s McHenry County Nursery, Hinsdale Nurseries, Possibility Place Nursery, and Wilson Nurseries. The STC has also bid out tree planting services and secured contracts with Pugsley & LaHaie Landscaping. The Village has had excellent results using all these suppliers and planters for the STC.
Alternatives
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
Funding for this project was approved as part of the FY2019 Budget. The Village Board has approved the tree planting contract annually.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
It is anticipated that the Department of Public Works will be bringing a Resolution authorizing tree purchase and planting through the Suburban Tree Consortium to the Village Board annually.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Suburban Tree Consortium is an excellent example of inter-governmental cooperation. By combining the purchasing power of its member municipalities, the STC allows for access to a diverse list of tree species grown to specifications suited to the Village’s needs, and ensures long-term price stability.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
This work is in alignment with the Governance Priority established for the Public Works Department for Infrastructure / Capital Programs.