Title
Tree Replacement Planting - Contract Extensions
History
The Village of Orland Park has removed and replaced nearly 8,000 ash trees over the past three years. The Village utilized two tree companies, Mid America Tree & Landscaping, Inc. of Mokena, Illinois and Brancato Landscaping Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois to plant replacement trees. Mid America Tree & Landscaping was first awarded the Village’s planting bid in 2008 as part of the Village’s 50/50 tree replacement program. Over the years, Mid America has performed well and hand-digs each tree installation. This less intrusive approach to tree planting will be critical as we engage Mid America to install trees around ponds and parks. Mid America’s per-tree-costs are still well below those tree costs received from more recent request for proposals and bids. Brancato Landscaping is the larger of the two companies and is skilled in mass parkway tree plantings. Brancato Landscaping uses a mechanical dig operation which enables them to move quickly through subdivisions as they did during the Fall of 2016, planting approximately 2,200 parkway trees. Staff sees a major benefit in extending both companies’ contracts. While the majority of parkway trees have been removed and replaced, there still remain a small number of parkway trees that need to be planted this spring. The Village also desires to replace ash trees that were removed from around ponds throughout the Village. The Village’s planting contracts with Mid America expired in December of 2016 as did the planting contract with Brancato Landscaping.
Both landscape companies have agreed to hold their prior year contract prices through the end of the year (2017). Staff recommends to engage Mid America Tree & Landscaping to perform tree replacements at ponds and parks during the 2017 Spring and Fall planting season, while also utilizing Brancato Landscaping to complete the handful of parkway replacements that remain. Staff also plans to utilize Brancato’s quick and efficient planting operation to install roughly 74 parkway trees along Harlem Avenue from 151st Street to 159th Street as part of the Harlem Avenue Landscape Maintenance program. Brancato has agreed to install the trees along Harlem Avenue as part of this extended contract.
On March 6, 2017, this item was reviewed by the Public Works Committee and recommended for approval and referred to the VIllage Board of Trustees for consideration.
Financial Impact
Funds are available in the FY17 budget to cover the cost for this work.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve extending the contracts for Village-wide tree installations for Mid America Tree & Landscaping, Inc. of Mokena, Illinois and Brancato Landscaping Inc. of Elk Grove Village, IL through December 31, 2017 at a cost not to exceed the Board approved budgeted amount.