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Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. <br /> <br />COMMITTEE/STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />Consideration of Tree Spade Purchase <br /> <br />The Committee was informed that there has been some debate preViously regarding <br />whether a tree spade should be purchased by the City. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director, Brian Olson stated that the purpose of this update was to <br />apprise the Public Works Committee on activity associated with tree spade attachment for <br />the City's wheel loader. <br /> <br />Parks & Utilities Supervisor, Mark Riverblood indicated that the tree spade was a Capital <br />Outlay purchase late last fall for approximately $38,000 dollars. Since that time the staff <br />has moved and salvaged 203 trees, w.ith many of them relocated to Elmcrest Park. <br /> <br />Riverblood informed the Committee that earlier this year, the City requested sealed bids <br />for planted balled and burlaped trees ora similar size and species. This cost was $650 <br />dollars per tree. In addition, staff recently requested quotes for smaller trees of a more <br />common variety, with this cost at $354 each, installed. He continued that, if these costs <br />were applied to the trees staff moved, this would represent a value of $131,950, or $71,862 <br />dollars respectively or almost double or triple the investment the first year. He added that <br />the attachment had a useful life of approximately 25 years, and that it will continue to be~ <br />put into use in the spring and fall when the loader is not needed for other projects. <br /> <br />Committee member Pearson asked what the survival rate has been. Parks & Utilities <br />Supervisor, Riverblood replied that with the exception of one tree that is in severe decline <br />because it was too large; and was deliberately moved asan experiment, the survival is <br />nearly 100 percent. Pearson added that it has been his experience that fall is the best time <br />to move trees. <br /> <br />The Committee discussed purchase ora trailer that could be used in conjunction with a tree <br />spade. Riverblood indicated he felt this would work ideal with a Bobcat sized tree spade. <br />He continued that staff is looking into trading a Bobcat attachment the City no longer uses, <br />for a 36" or 44" tree spade for the skid-steer Bobcat. This would probably require an <br />additional 3 to 4 thousand dollars however. He stated that if the 2006 Capital Equipment <br />purchases come under budget, staff could bring this back to the Committee. <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />No action required. <br /> <br />-637- <br /> <br /> <br />