Title
Determining that a short-term contract to hire a contractor to do necessary tree pruning work is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 85 of the Administrative Code.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul entered into a partnership with the Saint Paul Port Authority to manage and eliminate the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation throughout the City, and through that partnership, most Department of Parks and Recreation forestry staff have been fully re-assigned to complete this work until at least 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City Council supported and adopted the 2023 budget which maintained existing Forestry budgets to ensure non-EAB work like preventative tree pruning was addressed through private contracting opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the City has an immediate need to do pruning that would help reduce public safety hazards and improve the overall urban tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, the City does not have, and cannot reasonably develop on a timely basis, the capacity to perform the pruning services; and
WHEREAS, tree pruning is necessary for the orderly and efficient functioning of the City because of the public safety risks; and
WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation forestry staff will return to completing the pruning once the EAB work is completed and there is no longer a need to contract the service; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul City Council determines that a short-term contract to hire a contractor to do necessary tree pruning work is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 85 of the Administrative Code.