Title
Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. for Stewardship Services in City Parks ($375,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration is a resolution to authorize a General Services Agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. for ecological maintenance and stewardship services in City parks.
City Council accepted and appropriated Inflation Reduction Act grant funding from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service for implementation of several projects aimed at understanding, enhancing, and expanding Ann Arbor’s tree canopy (R-24-341). One of the grant objectives is to provide targeted ecological stewardship in City park natural areas within disadvantaged communities via contracted services with an external firm.
The City issued RFP 25-09 in February 2025, and six (6) proposals were received. A selection committee comprised of Parks & Recreation staff reviewed and scored the proposals. GEI Consultants, Inc. received the highest score among the proposals reviewed, and staff recommends approval of a General Services Agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. for ecological maintenance and stewardship services in the City parks through April 30th, 2028.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Under the General Services Agreement, the City will issue payments to GEI Consultants, Inc. using approved grant funding and then submit for reimbursement to the USDA Forest Service. While these federal Inflation Reduction Act grants funds are currently available to grantees, their continued availability is uncertain. As such, the City’s Parks & Recreation department understands it may need to issue payments for these contracted services, or a subset of them, without receiving reimbursement from the USDA Forest Service. Both funding sources, USDA and City Parks Maintenance & Capital Improvements millage, are secure enough to proceed with this General Services Agreement.
Staff
Prepared by: Remy Long, Deputy Manager, Parks & Recreations Services
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City secured $1,000,000 in Inflation Reduction Act grant funding from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service for implementation of several projects aimed at understanding, enhancing, and expanding Ann Arbor’s tree canopy (R-24-341);
Whereas, One of the USDA Forest Service grant objectives is to provide targeted ecological stewardship in City park’s natural areas within disadvantaged communities;
Whereas, GEI Consultants, Inc. was selected via a competitive request for proposals (RFP 25-09) to support the City’s ecological maintenance and stewardship efforts as part of the USDA Forest Service grant; and
Whereas, The necessary funding, federal grant or City millage, to execute this grant work exists, and the City will seek all available federal grant reimbursements as part of its implementation;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves a general services agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $375,000 for ecological maintenance and stewardship services in City parks through April 30, 2028;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute said agreement after approval by the City Attorney and City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the funds are authorized for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.