The Utilities Committee met 02/11/2025. The one action item on their agenda was the request to award the 2025 Ash Tree Removal Contract to Foley’s Tree Service in an amount not to exceed $425,000. This item was approved unanimously by the committee.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
Public Works Deputy Director Nathan Loper told the committee that Foley’s Tree Service had performed similar work for the city last year. They had been very fast and efficient and “Everybody was just loving what they were seeing.” This year the bids came in well under budget, so the city hoped to be able to get some additional trees cut down under this contract.
The contract called for 870 ash trees to be removed at a total cost of $276,629.25. The remaining $148,370.75 could be put toward the removal of additional trees depending on whether there was time to cut down more. The 870 initial trees were spread out through the entire city unlike the trees cut down last year that were in two consolidated areas. If the contractor hit a rhythm and was able to remove all the remaining ash trees, then next year the city would be able to focus on planting new trees and would likely hire a contractor to supplement their own tree planting.
Alderperson Patrick Hayden asked if there was any way for residents to know which specific trees were going to be cut down on any given day. Deputy Director Loper responded that there was not because they wanted the contractor to be able to work as quickly and efficiently as possible and scheduling dates would slow that process down.
Residents who had trees on their terraces scheduled for removal would receive a notice, but that notice would more generally say that the work would be starting in April and would not give a specific day or even a specific month for when their tree would be cut down.
The committee moved unanimously to approve the contract.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1269087&GUID=E4349092-1CE8-4E31-ADFE-BC51007AEB94
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