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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-15-08 Plant purchase 1 City Council Date: 4/15/08 CONSENT Item: 4 ITEM: Authorization to purchase plants and landscape materials for the May 3 Arbor Day / MnDot Landscape Partnership Program planting project. SUBMITTED BY: Dr. Kathy Widin, City Forester Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The City Council is being asked to authorize the purchase of plant materials for the May 3 Arbor Day / MnDot Landscape Partnership Program planting project. Requests for proposals for the materials were requested from 4 MnDot wholesale contracts vendors. Vendors were requested to provide proposals based on 1 and 2 year warranties. 2 “Wholesale” proposals were received. Both proposals noted that industry standards are such that “wholesale” purchases are not warranted. Grove Nurseries $3,581.20 Bachman's Nursery Wholesale Center $2,378.69 Cross Nurseries DNS Hild and Associates DNS Staff responded to these proposals by requesting “retail” proposals with warranties from the submitting firms. In addition, staff requested a proposal from a local nursery. Grove Nurseries (1 year warranty) $6,266.10 Bachman’s Nursery (1year warranty) $5,098.92 Abrahamson Nurseries (2 year warranty) $3,819.62 In addition to the plants, wood chips and other miscellaneous materials will be needed for the planting project. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Dr. Widin and staff recommend accepting the wholesale proposal from Bachman’s Nursery Wholesale Center. Bachman’s has a reputation for being a provider of high quality plant materials. Dr. Widin and staff feel that the likelihood of plant loss approaching the value of the savings available by purchasing “wholesale” is very unlikely. If the city provides sufficient watering during the growing season, the chance of plant failure is minimal. REQUESTED ACTION: Authorization to purchase plants “wholesale” in accordance with the May 3 planting project plan from Bachman’s Nursery Wholesale Center, as well as authorization to purchase miscellaneous planting materials for the project in the amount not to exceed $4,500.00. The MnDot Landscape Partnership program agreement provides for the reimbursement of project costs up to $4,500.00.