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 damaged trees.
Fiscal Impact: $233,948 is budgeted from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund for this contract.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with A-1 Tree Service for the Emerald Ash Borer Spring 2014 Items #1 and #3 Tree Removal Project; to authorize the expenditure of $233,948.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($233,948.00)
Body
WHEREAS, 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 and will be awarded to A-1 Tree Service on the basis of lowest and best responsive bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is necessary to enter into said contract as soon as possible to maintain the schedule of managing the EAB infestation and removing damaged trees thereby preserving the public peace, safety and welfare; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized to enter into contract with A-1 Tree Service for the EAB Spring 2014 Items 1 and 3 Tree Removal Project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $233,948.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 702 as follows:
Project OCA Code O. L. 3 Amount
510039-100002 723902 6621 $233,948.00
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.