Committee backs $750,000 award to Rosehill Gardens for city tree-planting project

Committee members recommended awarding the MP3082 Tree Planting 2026 contract to Rosehill Gardens Inc. for an amount not to exceed $750,000 to implement the final phase of the city's emerald ash borer replanting program.

"I would recommend city council approval of award bid for the project MP3082 tree planting 2026 to Rosehill Gardens Inc for an amount not to exceed $750,000," Councilor (speaker 14) said as the motion was introduced. Staff reported the ash-removal phase accounted for about 6,395 trees removed and that the city anticipates planting approximately 6,671 trees back into the ground (the extra trees will replace earlier plantings that did not survive).

Staff said the 2026 budgeted contract will cover roughly 1,400 plantings in the next cycle and that Rosehill Gardens, the single bidder on this solicitation, has delivered on prior city plantings. The recommended award covers one-for-one replacements of removed municipal ash trees and additional plantings in medians, parks and priority reforestation areas.

The committee approved the recommendation on a voice vote recorded as 6-0.