ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request for the Following:
A. APPROVE the Reinstatement of Funding in the City of Peoria 2020 - 2021 BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET, in the Amount of $100,000.00, for the Public Works FORESTRY SERVICES Line Item in the Stormwater Fund;
B. APPROVE an Increase, in an Amount not to Exceed $70,000.00, Relating to the Approved CONTRACT with JIMAX through December 31, 2020, for Tree/Stump Removal by Size and Brush Trimming by Hourly Rates and an Increase, in an Amount not to Exceed $30,000.00, Relating to the Approved Contract with JIMAX through December 31, 2020, for Emergency Tree and Brush Trimming by Hourly Rates.
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BACKGROUND: A Request for Proposals (RFP) was created in 2019 by Public Works staff for the removal of trees and tree stumps on public properties throughout the City of Peoria on an emergency basis. Typically, this work is due to damage caused by a storm, high winds or heavy snow or ice and cannot wait to be scheduled during normal working hours.
The original fund amount in Public Works Forestry Services Account #8013023-503602 was $200,000 for day-to-day forestry services and emergency tree and stump removal; however, due to COVID-19 budget constraints, $100,000 was slated to be reduced from the account and services. While Public Works staff continues to diligently prioritize and address these needs, and considering the damage done during the recent storms in July and August 2020.
There are still numerous damaged or downed trees, in addition to the day-to-day dead, diseased or Emerald Ash Borer infested trees, that need to be removed from public rights-of-way. It is imperative that we keep tree debris from the stormwater system as clogged drains can lead to localized flooding. As such, the budget reduction has proven to be unsustainable. In an effort to cover these anticipated costs for the remainder of 2020, Public Works staff requests the $100,000 be...
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