Title
Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Margolis Nursery, Inc. in the Amount of $227,000.00 to Support the City's Private Property Tree Planting Program ($227,000.00)
Memorandum
In early 2024, the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations and Public Works Department applied for and won a U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service award to advance work on the City's urban forest. In particular, the City applied to advance three initiatives: (1) update City-wide urban tree canopy data to help drive need-focused tree planting, and explore future tree sources and agricultural education, (2) expand private tree planting programs and provide tools for homeowners to deeply engage with tree planting and care, and (3) provide targeted ecological stewardship in park natural areas within disadvantaged communities.
To advance the second task (private tree planting and care), in November 2025, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP # 25-59) titled Private Property Tree Planting. The purpose of this RFP was to identify and select a vendor to provide technical expertise, conduct site visits, prioritize planting needs, and perform tree plantings on private property in the city.
By the deadline for proposals for RFP # 25-59 (January 2026), a total of two firms submitted proposals for consideration. Upon review by an internal steering committee, both firms had their fee proposals opened. Upon consideration of the qualifications, skills, previous experience, and fee proposals, the steering committee recommended moving forward with Margolis Nursery, Inc.
In their proposal, Margolis Nursery, Inc. provided details on how they plan to help advance tree equity in Ann Arbor by assisting with outreach and engagement of private property owners, attending site visits with property owners to identify planting needs and opportunities, recommending a prioritization of plantings to the City based on anticipated tree benefits, conducti...
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