Staff is recommending approval of a contract with Rainbow Treecare Company, to complete EAB tree injection services for the city and offer a homeowner program for trees on private property.

In 2017 the city council reviewed and adopted an EAB Management Plan. This plan uses a coordinated approach on public ash trees including removals along with injection of an insecticide targeted at the invasive insect on public trees in good or fair condition and over 15” in diameter according to the 2016 boulevard ash tree inventory. The plan also calls for education and outreach to the public including a homeowner program that residents can take advantage of for treating ash trees on private property.

A request for proposals (RFP) was developed and provided to ten reputable companies that offer this service. Two proposals were received. Rainbow Treecare offered the lowest pricing for both treatment of public and private trees. The bid results are summarized below:

Company  Municipal Program  Homeowner Program

($/diameter inch)  ($/diameter inch)

Rainbow Treecare   $4.00  $7.25

NRP LLC  $12.08 - $18.50*  $12.92 - $21.50*

*Price per diameter inch varies by total tree diameter. Proposals are included as exhibits.

The work will be completed between June 1st and September 30th of 2023, or before fall leaf color, whichever occurs sooner. 

This work is budgeted under the Contractual Services line item of the Forestry Management budget and will provide treatment of approximately 275 public ash trees. The cost of any treatments on private property will be the responsibility of the property owner and invoiced directly to them.

Approve a contract with Rainbow Treecare for the Emerald Ash Borer Tree Injection Services and Authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to execute same.