For City Council Meeting October 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christopher P. Jensen, Acting Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Approve a Services Agreement for Weed Abatement Between the City of Rialto and Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc. Beginning Fiscal Year 2025/2026 for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $225,000; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a (3) Three-Year Agreement With a (1) One-Year Extension Based on Continued Satisfactory Performance, Subject to Such Modifications as They May Deem Advisable, Without Materially Altering the Financial Obligation Contained Therein.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve a Services Agreement for Weed Abatement between the City of Rialto and Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc.; and
2) Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute a Services Agreement with Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc., for Weed Abatement services for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $225,000 for a (3) three-year Agreement with a (1) one-year optional extension.
BACKGROUND
In July 2016, the City Council awarded Kinco Weed Abatement the contract to provide weed abatement in the City of Rialto commencing Fiscal Year 2015/2016, with a three (3) year contract with provisions for two (2) additional one (1) year extensions based upon satisfactory performance by the contractor. Per the terms of the contract, Kinco Weed Abatement did not extend and closed his business in the 4th year of his contract.
In November 2020, the City Council awarded James Huss, Jr., West SWPPP Services contract to provide weed abatement in the City of Rialto commencing Fiscal Year 2020/2021, with a three (3) year contract with provisions for two (2) additional one (1) year extensions based upon satisfactory performance by the contractor.
On April 1, 2025, the City of Rialto solicited proposals for RFP No. 25-028, Weed Abatement Services. Of the 175 notified vendors, the City received four (4) proposals that met the bid criteria and standards necessary to perform this work.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Request for Proposals requested individual rates for ten items including: discing of single parcels less than one acre; mowing single parcels less than one acre; discing acreages or subdivided property per acre (fire breaks included); mowing acreages or subdivided property per acre; services of one employee and a bulldozer or equivalent equipment per hour; handwork, including manpower and equipment per 100 square feet; hauling, including the use of a truck with one person; parkways per 10 feet; and a minimum charge for any single job. The total amount to be paid to Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc. will be dependent upon the amount of weed abatement activity necessary. Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc., submitted a proposal that met all the required specifications with a total contract cost of $225,000 over a (3) three-year term with a (1) one-year extension. Based on their proposal, credentials, pricing, content, and clarity of their proposal, Staff recommends awarding the Services Agreement for weed abatement to Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc. The firm’s Disclosure Form is included as Attachment 1; bid results are included as Attachment 2; and the proposed agreement is included as Attachment 3 of this report.
Based on past history, the yearly amount to be paid to the weed abatement contractor should not exceed $75,000 annually, contingent upon the specific work done to the properties abated. Reimbursement is secured from each property owner.
Staff recommends that Council award a contract to Integrity Arborist and Ecoscape, Inc., with a (3) three-year contract with the option to extend the term of the agreement one (1) year based on continued satisfactory performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Fire Department has maps provided by the United States Fish and Wildlife that designate environmentally sensitive areas. These areas are clearly identified for the weed abatement contractor and abated according to the United States Fish and Wildlife standards.
California Environmental Quality Act
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 5-3: Increase the City’s fire protection capabilities, and implement fire prevention regulations and standards that minimize potential fire hazards and fire losses.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
Funds are available in the General Fund Account No. 10105173-52011 for contract service in Fiscal Year 2025/2026. Cost of weed abatement plus an administrative fee is recovered from each property owner by placement of a lien on each respective property tax bill.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Contractor currently has a business license with the City of Rialto
ATTACHMENTS
1. Signed Disclosure Form
2. The bid result sheet
3. Service Agreement