HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-03 PACKET 09.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 03/03/2010
PREPARED BY Public Works Les Burshten
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Response to previously raised council comments and requests.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Response to previously raised council comments and requests.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $ $
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
DATE
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
REVIEWED
APPROVED DENIED
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
® MEMO /LETTER: Brian Voelker, February 24, 2010
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
y
City Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED OTHER
CITY OF
MINNESOTA
COTTAGE GROVE
To: Les Burshten, Public Works Director
From: Brian Voelker, Management Analyst
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Subject: Response to previously raised council comments and requests.
Council Request
At the February 17, 2010 City Council meeting there was a request for the Public Works staff to look
into a joint purchasing program for the purchase of trees for various tree planting events.
Background
Currently the Public Works Department buys trees from Bailey Nurseries or various
nurseries /contractors, depending on the size of the trees and type of project /event. Typically, the
Public Works Department buys trees that are larger in size, a large quantity, or trees that would be
planted by city forces, from Bailey Nurseries. The Public Works Department buys small seedlings
and larger trees from nurseries /contractors that would also plant them. Bailey Nurseries currently
gives the city the same discount as a contractor or landscaping company would receive from them.
When the city uses a contractor /various other nurseries, the city gets at least two quotes to make
sure it is receiving a fair price for the trees.
Staff Response
The Public Works Department staff has reviewed the tree purchases for the last few years and
contacted other cities about upcoming tree purchases and determined that there would not be a
savings in a joint tree purchasing program because the quantities that would be purchased would not
be enough to get a discount from Bailey Nurseries. It would also be tough to coordinate logistics of
delivery of trees to multiple cities for multiple tree planting events that may be held on different dates
throughout the year.
Staff Recommendation
The Public Works Department is recommending that we continue to purchase trees from Bailey
Nurseries and various contractors, considering the project variables that currently exist.