Council awards $1.44M-plus citywide landscape and mowing contract to Green Teams, with local-presence requirement

City staff recommended and the council approved a general services contract with Green Teams Incorporated for citywide landscape maintenance and mowing, not to exceed $1,443,364.

Public Works Director Emily Fischer told the council the RFP process required local presence (an office within 50 miles or a plan to establish one) and increased annual mowing frequencies from 18 to 27 cycles to address long growing seasons after heavy rains.

"We realize there's a catch-up," Fischer said; staff will use in-house crews and existing contract work to improve visible areas before the expected July 1 transition to the new contractor.

Tucker Gallagher, Green Teams owner, told the council the company has served the community for decades and is committed to catching up and meeting the contract’s service levels.

Council discussion touched on cemetery mowing responsibilities and stormwater concerns from grass clippings in the street; staff confirmed contract terms prohibit blowing clippings into public streets and that parks mowing is the largest portion of the contract budget.

Motion and outcome: Council moved and seconded the award and voted to approve the contract. Staff will work with the contractor to ramp up service and address outstanding maintenance needs in the short window before July 1.