City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve updated Ficus tree pruning standards in
accordance with the Best Management Practices as established by the International
Standards of Arboriculture (ISA).
BACKGROUND:
Culver City has 1,550 Ficus trees that are on a four-year pruning cycle. This
equates to approximately 398 Ficus trees pruned each year. The City’s tree
trimming contractor, West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA), currently utilizes a “crown
reduction” pruning method. Under this method, the majority of the pruning is done at
the top of the tree, thus giving the tree a more “round” or “canopy” appearance.
Additionally, this method consists of the removal of dead and broken branches, as
well as minor tree raising from the bottom for vehicular and pedestrian clearance.
DISCUSSION:
At its August 28, 2006 meeting, the City Council approved the award of a new five
year agreement (7/1/2006-6/30/2011) with WCA in the amount of $480,317 per year.
The original bid specifications on which the contract is based stipulates that all trees
trimming shall be in accordance with ISA standards. WCA has informed the Public
Works Department that the ISA has modified the current pruning methods of Ficus
Meeting Date: 01/26/09 Item Number: A-4
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of Updated Ficus Tree Pruning Standards in
Accordance with Best Management Practices Established by the International
Standards of Arboriculture (ISA) and Consideration of a Related Budget
Amendment if Necessary.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Eric Mirzaian/Public Works
Phone Number: (310) 253-6410
Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [x] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [x] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (01/07/2009); West Coast Arborists,
Inc (01/05/2009)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (12/24/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (01/05/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (01/07/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (01/20/09) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
trees. The proposed method includes thinning the interior of the trees and the
selective removal of dead/diseased branches. Additionally, crown reduction is not
included.
In a letter to the City dated May 1, 2008, WCA proposed the following options.
OPTION 1
Utilize the proposed pruning method in accordance with the new standards for all
1,550 Ficus trees throughout Culver City at the current unit rate for tree pruning of
$171.60. This option would not result in any increase to the current contract price
but will result in less foliage removed compared to the current pruning method.
OPTION 2
Continue utilizing the current pruning method at a unit cost of $336.60 ($171.60 plus
1.5 hours of current crew rental). The increase in the unit cost is attributed to the
longer amount of time it takes to prune under the current method. To continue
pruning the trees utilizing the current pruning method on the existing pruning
schedule at the higher unit cost would require a budget amendment to the contract
with WCA for an additional $41,250 for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008/09;
$82,500 for Fiscal Year 2009/10; and $82,500 for Fiscal Year 2010/11.
WCA recently trimmed several Ficus trees on Lucerne Avenue to demonstrate the
proposed method and for evaluation purposes by Public Works staff. Attached to
this report are photographs depicting both the current and proposed methods.
Due to budget constraints, staff is recommending that the City Council select Option
1 above.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Option 1 will not result in a contract price increase. Option 2 would result in a
contract price increase and will therefore require approval of a budget amendment in
the amount of $41,250 for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008/09; $82,500 for Fiscal
Year 2009/10; and $82,500 for Fiscal Year 2010/11. If Option 2 is recommended, it
is proposed the budget amendment to increase funding for the remainder of fiscal
2008-09 would be from the General Fund Unappropriated Reserve, and subsequent
fiscal year increases would be included during the corresponding fiscal year’s
budget process. Funding for those year’s would be appropriated using General
Fund monies. Funding for both internal and contracted tree trimming operations is
through the General Fund’s Tree Maintenance account (10161600.619800).
ATTACHMENTS: City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
1. May 1, 2008 letter from WCA to the City of Culver City
2. Photographs depicting both the current and proposed methods
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. (Staff Recommendation) Select Option 1 and authorize staff to inform
WCA that they should utilize the proposed pruning method (as described
by current ISA standards) at no change in costs;
OR
2A. Select Option 2 and authorize staff to direct WCA to continue utilizing the
current pruning method as described and authorize the execution of a
contract amendment to effect this change ; and; and
2B. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents
and authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of
the City; and
2C. Approve a budget amendment appropriating $41,250 from the General
Fund for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008/09 ($82,500 for Fiscal Year
2009/10 and $82,500 for Fiscal Year 2010/11 would be included in the
proposed budgets for those future fiscal years.
A Budget Amendment requires a 4/5
th
vote
MEETING DATE: 1/26/09
AGENDA ITEM:
Proposed Options Regarding Changes in Ficus
Tree Pruning Standards in Accordance with Best
Management Practices Established by the
International Standards of Arboriculture (ISA).
ATTACHMENTS
Pages|109| May 1, 2008 letter from WCA to the City of Culver City 1-2|109| Photographs depicting both the current and proposed 3
methodsPage 1 of 2
West Coast Arborists, Inc.
•• •11.•
Tree Care Professionals Serving Communities Who Care About Trees
www.WCANC,
May 1, 2008
City of Culver City
Department of Public Works
ATTN: Charles Herbertson, Director
9770 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
RE: FICUS TREE PRUNING
Dear Mr. Herbertson,
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to meet with you, Mr. Heustace Lewis, Steve
Orozco and Eric Mirzaian earlier this week to discuss the pruning of the City's fiats trees_ As
we
discussed, all other wood tree species are pruned by crown cleaning, raising and
structural pruning in accordance with the Best Management Practices (BMP) established by
the International Society of Arboriculture ISA. Of course, ultimately the success of this
contract depends on both parties agreeing to work together, We understand the City's
commitment to provide the citizens of Culver City with the best service and workmanship,
however, in terms of business, we must address this concern in order to continue offering
high quality service that you have come to expect from us. As a follow up to our meeting. I
would like to suggest a couple of options for pruning City-owned ficus trees.
OPTION NO. 1
Under the current unil rates rat tree pruning, we will perform a basic prune to the ficus
species which includes crown cleaning and selective removal of dead, diseased, detached,
and/or broken branches. Minimal thinning will also be performed to the interior of the tree
with no more than 10-15% of foliage removed. Tree raising for vehicular and pedestrian
clearance will also be performed. The pruning operation will be performed in accordance
with the (BMP) established by the ISA with no more than 25% of total foliage removed. Trees
will not be excessively shaped or thinned and no crown reduction will be performed. (We
agree to perform a sample of this type of pruning to the existing ficus trees along Kinston
Avenue in the City of Culver City between Haman Street and Stever Street.)Tree Care
Professionals
Serving Communities no Care About Trees
www,WCAINC.corn
City of Culver City
May 2, 2003
Page 2 of 2
OPTION NO. 2
Under the current unit rates for tree pruning plus 1.50 hours of Crew Rental, we will provide
a full "crown reduction" and crown cleaning to the ficus trees. Selective removal of dead,
diseased,- detached, and/or broken branches will be performed including tree raising for
vehicular and pedestrian clearance. The pruning operation will be performed in accordance
with the BMP established by the ISA with no more than 25% of tota1 foliage removed_
OPTION NO. 3
Special pruning requirements such as drop crotch pruning or full crown reduction will be
performed under the hourly Crew Rental rate_
Once the sample pruning is done on Kinston Avenue, we can review the trees and decide
together on the future approach to the Cityis ficus trees.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. We look forward to working with the City of
Culver City on this issue lf you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact
me.
David Cooper
Area Manager
Certified Arborist #WE-0497c-g
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