ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request to APPROVE a Renewal of the CONTRACT for LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT with JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC, (Bid #15-19) for One (1) Year to December 31, 2021, in the Total Amount not to Exceed $100,000.00, which includes up to $80,000.00 for Labor/Equipment and up to $20,000.00 for Materials. [All Council Districts]
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BACKGROUND: The following represents reductions of previous service levels, resultant of the effects of COVID-19 on Department operational capabilities and its associated budget.
There are many right-of-way locations and City-owned properties throughout the City of Peoria that are landscaped. Currently, Public Works does not have in-house staff to maintain these areas. The City has been bidding an annual landscape contract for maintenance services only, which does not include assessing the site or adding new plant material. In 2019, the City put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Landscape Stewardship and Maintenance Project. This project includes contractor site assessments, recommendations on how to improve the landscaped area to newly-installed quality, and a maintenance plan for the landscaped areas. The maintenance plan will help identify the resources that are needed to maintain these areas to a level acceptable to the community.
As the City continues to install green infrastructure, staff anticipates using more vegetation in roadway improvement projects. Resources are needed to maintain these landscaped areas in good condition.
JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC will also provide ROW roadside weed spraying, ROW median weed spraying, guardrail weed spraying and maintenance and weed spraying the vacant lots. JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC has special equipment and licensing to allow them to cost-effectively and efficiently provide these services. JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC has adequately completed this type of work for the city in the past.
This Contractor continues to successfully meet - and often exceed - work performance standards for the City of Peoria. JIMAX is not a minor contractor, but they retain a 60% workforce of minority and disabled American veterans, with a focus on hiring from within the zip codes of where their work is located.
The bid prices for Bid #15-19 will be honored by the Contractor through 2021.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This project will come from funds approved in the budget in Account #8013023-503605.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Maintaining green infrastructure has many benefits for our entire community by capturing Stormwater, improving air and water quality as well as beautifying our city. Ill-kept landscaping is a blighting influence on our community, causing health and safety concerns.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC will maintain landscaping at City-owned properties and right-of-way locations throughout the City.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The landscape at City-owned properties and right-of-way locations will not be maintained, causing the City’s appearance to suffer, increasing neighborhood blight and diminishing our city’s Stormwater efforts.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: JIMAX LANDSCAPE, LLC is current EOO #03104-220331
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Beautiful Peoria
3. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
3. Support sustainability.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works