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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of a Three-Year General Services Agreement with Duke's Root Control, Inc. to Provide Root Control Services on City-owned Sewer Main Lines through June 30, 2028 in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000 per Fiscal Year.
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Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Contact: Gary Wansley, Public Works, Maintenance Operations
Phone Number: (310) 253-6444
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [] No [X ]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: Email: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/19/2026)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director / City Engineer (02/02/26)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a three-year general services agreement with Duke's Root Control, Inc. (Duke's) to provide root control services on City-owned sewer main lines through June 30, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $100,000 per fiscal year.
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION
The Public Works Department maintains approximately 86 miles of sewer mains throughout the city. Over time, these mains are susceptible to tree and plant root intrusion, which can cause sewage stoppages, lead to overflows, increase maintenance costs, and accelerate main line deterioration.
For the past 15 years, the City has used Duke's to perform regular maintenance of the sewer system to specifically address root intrusion problems and treat approximately 10 miles of affected sewer mains each year. The City's most recent agreement with Duke's expired on June 30, 2025.
The maintenance program is accomplished through the application of herbicides to dissolve the roots and inhibit re-growth. The crews performing the work and applying the herbicides used are required to comply with all Federal, State, and local ordinances pertaining to the type of work, particularly the laws and ordinances relating to transportation of material (United States Department of Transportati...
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