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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Bryce Shearen, CPRP, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager <br /> <br />DATE: July 14, 2021 <br /> <br />RE: Emerald Ash Borer Contractor Selection <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Approve Rainbow Treecare for EAB treatment on public property and as a partner for trees on <br />private property. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in the United States in 2002 near Detroit, <br />Michigan and the first case of EAB in Minnesota was 2009. Like many other Minnesota cities, <br />EAB has now become infested in ash trees in Little Canada. EAB is an insect that attacks and <br />kills ash trees by eating the inner bark. <br /> <br />Over the winter of 2020-2021, staff noticed a dramatic increase in signs of EAB in ash trees on <br />public property. Ash trees were a very common tree to be planted 25+ years ago and are the <br />predominant tree species in parks and other public properties. <br /> <br />Following guidance provided by the City Council at its regular meeting on June 23, staff sent out <br />requests for proposals to five tree contractors. The proposal asked for pricing to treat ash trees on <br />both public and private property. It also required a report be submitted each year to City staff <br />that states how many private trees were treated and their locations. <br /> <br />Two contractors submitted proposals and, based on meeting the criteria in the RFP and pricing, <br />Rainbow Treecare submitted the best proposal. Staff contacted two of their many public agency <br />references and got positive reviews for their service. <br /> <br />Under the terms of the agreement, Rainbow Treecare will distribute informational literature to <br />private property owners regarding EAB and provide no cost consultations for private property <br />owners and the City. If property owners decide to proceed with treatment or removal of ash <br />trees, they can use any tree contractor that is licensed in the City. Rainbow Treecare is providing <br />very competitive rates for treatment services to private property owners and a discounted rate of <br />$4.25 per inch at DBH for public trees. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />