Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into various contracts for the management of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks and the Director of Finance and Management to enter into various contracts relating to the EAB management process for the Recreation and Parks Department. This ordinance also authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Vermeer Mfg. Co. for the purchase of two Vermeer BC-1800XL Brush Chippers for the Recreation and Parks Department in accordance with State of Ohio contract Schedule Number 800311, Index Number STS515, as previously authorized by 0582-87 and to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Co. for the installation of street trees.
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, approximately 19,000 ash trees have been removed city wide. That is approximately 63% of the estimated public ash tree population.
This ordinance will allow immediate funding for administration, services, supplies, tree replacements, ...
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