sr-051209-1m~r
City Council Report
City of
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: May 12,2009`i~
Agenda Item: ' `1",
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Joan L. Akins, Director, Community Maintenance Department
Subject: Award of Professional Services Contract with Artecho Landscape
Architecture for the development of a Long-Range Urban Forest Master Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with Artecho Landscape Architecture in an amount not to exceed
$203,791 to develop the City's. Long-Range Urban Forest Master Plan.
Executive Summary
The Long-Range Urban Forest Master Plan will include an updated tree inventory, tree
maintenance requirements,. an assessment of the environmental benefits of the forest
and an estimate of the life expectancy of individual trees. Following completion of a
competitive bidding process staff is recommending that the City Council authorize
award of a contract with Artecho Landscape Architecture.
Discussion
Contractor/Consultant Selection
The procurement of the long-range urban forest master plan was facilitated through a
widely distributed Request for Proposals (RFP) including a list of qualified landscape
architecture firms with strong experience in urban forestry long-range planning and best
management practices. Seven firms responded and the top three firms were
interviewed by a panel of staff members from Planning, Public Works, and Community
& Cultural Services. After the panel interviews, a follow up interview of the top two firms
was conducted by Community Maintenance staff. After a thorough review of the two top
firms in regard to project approach, community outreach process, fees and reference
checks, staff determined that Artecho Landscape Architecture met the bid specifications
and had the best overall price.
1
Artecho Landscape Architecture is an award -winning firm based in Venice, CA and has
been practicing since 1996. They have a good understanding of the City's urban forest,
the Open Space Element; the Sustainable City Plan goals and are becoming familiar
with the LUCE project. The principle of the firm has designed park development
projects, streetscapes and master plans for corporate campuses, transportation facilities
and resorts throughout California as well as in Europe and Japan. The firm also has a
Certified Urban Forester and a Certified Arborist included in their team that will be
developing the Plan.
The first objective of the plan is to update the current tree inventory to determine the
health of the forest and potential longevity of individual trees. The proposed contract
specifies that the consultant is to conduct four public workshops with staff. The public
workshops will also be used to determine replacement species and planting patterns for
individual neighborhoods or specific street segments. The consultant will also work with
the Urban Forest Task Force to determine priorities -for the long-range health and
perpetuation of the forest. The consultant will then develop strategic goals with an
action plan that includes specific objectives, tactics, desired results and a timeline with
recommendations on how the City could go about reaching those goals.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds for the proposed consultant are available in the City Manager's budget account
number 01202PY.555060 ($175,000) and the Public Landscape and Community Forest
account number 01576.555010 ($28,791).
Prepared by: Walt Warriner, Community Forest & Public Landscape Superintendent
Approved:
Akins
Community Maintenance
Forwarded to Council:
PLl~mont Ewell
City Manager
2