Council Rejects Tree Trimming Bids, Mulls In-House Model After Licensing Conundrum

The City Council on Monday rejected all bids for a key utility tree trimming contract amid concerns that licensing requirements were inadequately communicated, prompting officials to rebid the project and explore the possibility of managing the service in-house.

The contract — which covers vegetation clearance around power lines — is critical to wildfire mitigation and electrical safety. But controversy arose over whether the city’s request for proposals (RFP) made clear that bidders needed a C-49 tree and palm contractor’s license.

Public Works staff confirmed that a mandatory pre-bid meeting and an online Q&A forum clarified that alternative licenses, including a now-sunsetted C-61/D-49, would be acceptable.

However, no formal addendum was issued to amend the original RFP — a point of contention among councilmembers and members of the public.

“I would recommend that we rebid this project,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton, who emphasized that some qualified firms may have been dissuaded from applying if they didn’t possess the C-49 license and never attended the pre-bid meeting.

With the current contract set to expire, City of Pasadena Project Manager Jerome Bragg told the council the city has about two months of funding remaining — spending approximately $340,000 per month. Staff will evaluate potential emergency procurement workarounds and may return August 18 to request a short-term funding extension while a new RFP is issued.

At Mayor Victor Gordo’s urging, councilmembers directed staff to accelerate their review of a municipal tree trimming operation, citing years of community complaints about damage to the city’s tree canopy. Gordo noted complaints to the city about companies that “essentially just butchered some of our oak trees and other specimen trees.”

Public Works staff members said the internal operations study — examining staffing, equipment, and cost — is already underway and will be presented to the Municipal Services Committee. Multiple councilmembers also noted that the city should avoid issuing long-term contracts, such as the previously proposed six-year deal, until the in-house model is fully vetted. Councilmembers Steve Madison and Jason Lyon were absent, but all six present members voted in favor of rejecting the bids.

This issue is expected to return to council later this summer or fall as staff update elected officials on next steps and feasibility options.