The request of staff for the City Council is to review the attached Genesis Group Landscape Architect’s recommendation memo and to consider for approval and award of the lowest bid submitted by Morelli Landscaping, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $359,065.25 for the 2015 Downtown Landscape Improvements Project ITB No. 17-006.  

As City Council may recall, the proposed 2015 Downtown Landscape Improvements Project includes the landscaping improvements such as the planting of trees, shrubs, hedges, and groundcover to the City Hall, the Library, and the Fire Station complex grounds.  In addition, this project includes the removal and transplanting of the existing Drake Elms in the Downtown to the stormwater pond on Main St. and Nebraska Ave. and along Grand Blvd. railroad right of way; subsequent to the Drake Elm tree removals, Chinese Fan palms will be installed.  Finally landscaping improvements such as hedges, shrubs, and groundcover will be installed in several of the Downtown parking lots and center islands located on Main St.  

Two (2) competitive bids were opened by the City on March 31, 2017.  The project bids received ranged from a low bid of $359,065.25. to a high bid of $424,955.00.  Morelli Landscaping  has performed similar projects for the City in the past such as the US Hwy 19 Center Median Landscaping Project Phase 1 and the previous Downtown landscape project. The Landscape Architect has reviewed the bid documents required for each submission, contacted references, verified line item dollar amounts, and has submitted a letter of recommendation for bid award.