City Council

b. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH SWA GROUP FOR THE\nPREPARATION OF THE STREET TREE PLANTING PROJECT\nSummary:\nThe City Council adopted the 2023 Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) to restore\nand expand the City’s urban forest canopy. Following adoption of the STMP, the\nU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service offered competitive\ngrants for urban forestry projects nationwide, focusing on tree planting and\nmaintenance. On September 14, 2023, the USDA awarded the City a\n$1,000,000 grant as a sub-awardee for the Street Tree Planting - Federal\nProject (Project). This project is divided into three phases including planning and\nimplementation, tree planting, and tree establishment. The City’s goal is to plant\n594 new trees consistent with the STMP guidelines. On August 27, 2024, the\nnational pass-through partner for the USDA Forest Service. GreenLatinos will\ncollaborate with the City throughout the Project to ensure compliance with grant\nterms and the appropriate use of awarded funds.\nStaff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a qualified consultant to\nassist with the planning and implementation phase of the Project. Staff\nadvertised the opportunity and received one proposal from SWA Group, which\nhas extensive experience as a landscape architecture firm. In addition to\nassessing the suitability of all planting sites, selecting appropriate locations in\nline with STMP guidelines, and obtaining quotes from nurseries for tree\nprocurement, the consultant will also support the City during subsequent\nplanting and establishment phases. GreenLatinos also requested the City\nconduct an expanded community engagement process; SWA Group’s scope of\nservices includes costs associated with providing more information to the\ncommunity. Staff recommends awarding the contract to SWA Group for these\nservices.\nStrategic Plan Goal(s):\nGoal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability\nand resilience.\nGoal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the public infrastructure, water\nsystem, and recreational spaces.\nRecommendation:\nAuthorize the City Manager to enter into a Public Works Contract with SWA\nGroup, for a term of 12 months, not-to-exceed contract of $100,000.00, in a form\napproved by the City Attorney.