Explanation
Background: This ordinance will authorize the modification of an existing contract with Davey Resource Group to continue citywide street tree assessment and inventory associated with the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $300,000.00.
In April of 2021, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission voted in support of and Columbus City Council passed a resolution to support the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) and its immediate implementation. By authorizing the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan, the Forestry Section of the Recreation and Parks Department can implement key recommendations through hiring staff, purchasing equipment, procuring tree service contracts, inventorying the City’s street trees, designing a new facility for Forestry’s North Zone, and engaging urban forestry consultants. The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan is the first citywide strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Over the next decades, the UFMP will guide the entire Columbus Community to prioritize, preserve and grow our tree canopy.
Proposals for citywide street tree assessment and inventory services were originally advertised, in accordance with City Code Section 329, in September 2020 as one of the first critical phases of the Urban Forestry Master Plan Project. In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended that Davey Resource Group be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach. Davey Resource Group has been very effective at delivering these services so far. As a result of the positive progress achieved and ongoing assessment needed citywide, this contract has already been modified twice to advance the ongoing assessment and inventory without delay, as funding has become available. Davey Resource Group ha...
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