Title
Amendment to Asplundh Contract (NB)
Staff recommends a six-month extension of the contract with Asplundh Tree Expert Company through September 2007 and approval of a change order for expenses under the current contract.
Explanation
On November 13, 2001, the City Commission approved a contract to Asplundh Tree Expert Company for electric distribution line clearance, tree trimming, right-of-way maintenance, weed control, and related work through March 31, 2005. The City Commission approved a one year extension of the contract on March 28, 2005. The estimated cost of services for the requested six month extension is $832,000 and will extend the term through September 2007. This will be the final extension of the contract. Due to increases in capital projects and increased costs associated with wood hauling and landscape repairs throughout the Utility, a change order to the existing term's purchase order is required in the amount of $469,000 to cover expenses through March 2007.
The purpose of the contract is to provide a program for vegetation management services to the electric transmission and distribution systems according to approved arboricultural standards. The City's Recreation and Parks Department also uses Asplundh's services to supplement their own crews, however; the amount of their services does not exceed the threshold for City Commission approval. Asplundh has performed these services well and is readily available to assist with storm restoration, if needed, as occurred after the hurricanes of 2004.
This contract is subject to the Living Wage Ordinance and Asplundh's wage rates have been adjusted to reflect the new rates published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2006. The fiscal impact of the Living Wage Ordinance on this Contract will be reported to the City Commission in an annual report. GRU estimates that the fiscal impact of the Living Wage for this contract is an additional $13,270.
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