Charles City Awards Contract to Continue Ash Tree Removal

The City of Charles City has awarded a second contract to continue bringing down a rash of ash trees either on City-owned property or in the right-of-way killed by the emerald ash borer.

City Administrator Steve Diers explains the scope of the problem.

In June, the City awarded a contract to GDB & Sons for about $200,000 for the first phase of bringing the ash trees down. During their regular meeting Monday (10.02) night, the City Council approved a second contract for about $133,000, also with the Charles City-based business, to continue with Phase 2 of ash tree removal.

That’s Mayor Dean Andrews, who noted that with GDB & Sons getting the contract for Phase 2 of ash tree removal as well as Phase 1, it’s possible some Phase 2 trees, marked with red triangles, could be removed before the taking down the Phase 1 green circle-marked trees is complete.

Councilwoman Phoebe Pittman said that makes sense if Phase 1 and Phase 2 trees are close in proximity to each other.