12-13-2021 BPU RPT 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2021 SUBJECT: THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR UTILITY LINE CLEARANCE AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SERVICE FOR CITYWIDE AREA WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS, INC., TO EXTEND TERM FOR SIX MONTHS ISSUE: Consider the approval of the Third Amendment to the Agreement for Utility Line Clearance and Vegetation Management Service for Citywide Area with West Coast Arborists, Inc., of Anaheim, California, to extend the term for six months with no increase to the total cost of the Agreement due to cost savings achieved in previous years. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities: 1. Approve the Third Amendment to the Agreement for Utility Line Clearance and Vegetation Management Service for Citywide Area with West Coast Arborists, Inc., for a six-month- extension; and 2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Third Amendment to the Agreement for Utility Line Clearance and Vegetation Management Service for Citywide Area with West Coast Arborists, Inc., including making minor and non-substantive changes. BACKGROUND: Utility line clearance tree trimming and vegetation management is a vital function of Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) to maintain safe clearances between energized overhead electric lines and trees in accordance with state law, as generally set forth in California Public Utilities General Order 95 Rule 35. Proper tree and vegetation clearance help maintain public safety and reliability of electric service. Maintaining minimum line clearances and providing vegetation management near electric distribution facilities is critical for the safe operation of electrical infrastructure. It is a key preventative strategy (WMP) to help reduce the risks of wildfires caused by electrical infrastructure, especially in high fire threat districts. RPU trims approximately 20,000 trees per year to avoid overhead conductors contacting tree branches and to help reduce outages. In addition to annual trimming, RPU responds to emergencies involving tree conflicts with power lines on a regular basis. The robust vegetation