Title
Tree planting, design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration (B)
This item requests approval by the City Commission of a contract with Chen Moore & Associates for design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration for multiple tree planting projects within the City of Gainesville.
Explanation
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) wishes to engage the services of Chen Moore and Associates to undertake the design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration for multiple tree planting projects within the City of Gainesville. The projects include tree planting at the Gainesville Empowerment Center, Southwest 6th Street Rail Trail, NW 34th Street Right of Way, NW 6th Street Right of Way, Waldo Road Bicycle Path, NE 8th Avenue Right of Way, and Citizens Field Overflow Parking Lot.
In August 2015, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department was asked to compile a list of projects that could use the Tree Mitigation Fund. Utilizing an existing citywide continuing service contract, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department requested a proposal from Chen Moore & Associates for seven of those projects. On September 24, 2015, a final proposal was submitted by Chen Moore & Associates.
During one of the Citizen Comment portions of the July 16, 2015 City Commission meeting, a citizen spoke regarding the City’s tree ordinance. The matter was referred to the Community Development Committee for further discussion. At the September 3, 2015 City Commission meeting, the issue of the Tree Ordinance and Appeals Process was also referred to the Community Development Committee. The Committee's discussion has included the Tree Mitigation Fund.
Several projects from Public Works have already used Tree Mitigation Funds (SW Depot Ave and NW 6th St Rail Trail Phase I). Public Works submitted three projects (NW 6th St Rail Trail Phase II, SW 6th St, and SE 2nd Ave Median) and PRCA submitted the Chen Moore Projects to the Tree Advisory Board on November 9, 2015. The Tree Advisory Board recommends approval for all projects.
Given the legal constraints on how tree mitigation funds may be expended, PRCA staff has discussed this project with the City Attorney’s Office and staff believes this project is a legally defensible use of the funds.
Fiscal Note
The total cost of the projects is $78,405.00. Funds for these projects are available in the Tree Mitigation Fund.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Contract and other related documents with Chen Moore & Associates for tree planting, design, permitting and construction administration, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.