Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will pay for costs associated with the removal of trees and stumps that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
Bids were received by the Recreation and Parks Department on April 1, 2014 for the EAB Spring 2014 Items 1 and 3 Tree Removal Project as follows:
Status Bid Amount
A-1 Tree Service MAJ $233,948.00
National Tree Care MAJ $267,429.00
Ceres Environmental MAJ $418,148.64
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic boring insect from Southeast Asia, first identified in Michigan in 2002, that infests and eventually kills trees of the Fraxinus genus, more commonly known as ash trees. Once an ash tree is dead, its structural integrity diminishes quickly and it is not uncommon for large limbs to fail on both high wind and calm days without warning. First identified locally in 2003, Columbus is beginning its 10th year of the EAB infestation. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 ash trees of various sizes exist on City of Columbus property; this includes trees along streets, in parks, golf courses and on several municipal campuses.
In 2011, City leaders, in coordination with the City Forestry Division of The Recreation and Parks Department, committed to an organized project approach to address the EAB crisis. To date, 12,026 ash trees have been removed city wide. That is 40% of the estimated public ash tree population. Of the 12,026 trees, 5,296 trees were removed by Forestry Staff and 6,730 trees were removed by contractors. The City has spent $4,000,000 to date on various ash tree removal projects as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer with an estimated $4,600,000 in future projects planned.
Principal Parties:
A-1 Tree Service
Earl Boyd (Contact)
5559 St. Rt 73
Hillsboro, OH 45133
937-205-1553 (Phone)
42-1592760 compliant through: 1/29/15
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to maintain the schedule of managing the EAB infestation and removing ...
Click here for full text