Lawn Maintenance

PURPOSE

Contractor shall be fully responsible for providing complete lawn care services, including but not limited to mowing, edging, weeding, mulching, shrub and tree trimming, irrigation maintenance and repair, fertilization, herbicide and pest control treatments. Services shall include the provision of all required labor, materials, supplies, equipment, transportation/travel, and supervision necessary to perform the work.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All vehicles and machinery used shall be in good operating condition and maintained to sustain this condition for the duration of the contract. Vehicles must be properly registered and insured in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Laws of Florida and in compliance with all federal, state, and local safety regulations. Equipment may be subject to inspection.

Weather may prevent Contractor from completing scheduled work on the designated workday. Contractor shall complete the necessary work on the first available fair-weather workday.

Requests for additional services may be required to support County activities. The County will arrange with the Contractor a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the scheduled activities. These requests may require the Contractor to alter the original schedule to ensure that the site is adequately serviced and that specific needs are met. No additional charges shall apply for special requested landscaping. Examples of special requests would include but are not limited to special events held at a site and storm preparedness.

Contractor shall be responsible for the replacement of turf, including all labor and material costs, damaged as a result of the following, but not limited to inadequate irrigation, fertilization, pest control, weeding, and/or disease control.

LAWNCARE REQUIRMENTS

Initial Repair of Facilities

Contractor shall tour sites with County Project Manager and correct documented improvements within forty-five business days of site tour.

Contractor shall mow and edge; make all necessary repairs to irrigation systems; remove all old materials from plant beds and install new mulch to a 2" depth; remove all dead trees and plant materials; trim foliage (trees, hedges, and shrubs); fertilize and treat for pests; and weed and rake. All items shall be done as specified or implied below under the applicable sections in a workman like manner.

Contractor shall take photos of all site areas completed and email them to the County Project Manager in pdf form after each site service. County Project Manager determines the acceptability of the work performed by Contractor at each site. The Project Manager will communicate any deficiencies through email to the Contractor. Contractor shall remedy deficiencies within five (5) business days and call for reinspection. If repairs are not adequately and timely made and reinspection is required, the Contractor will be subject to a $80.00 per site reinspection charge, which will be deducted from the Contractor's monthly invoice. This charge shall apply for the first reinspection and all subsequent re-inspections.

Contractor shall provide site specific quotes and recommendations to County for the installation of plants, trees, and shrubs to improve the site aesthetics after the initial site improvement work has been completed and accepted by the County Project Manager . Quotes shall be broken down according to time and material rates provided in the Contractor's Pricing Sheet. The material should be drought-tolerant, have low watering needs, be easy to maintain, and incorporate xeriscaping principals. The county may choose to accept all or some of the Contractor's recommendations at that time or may choose to reject or have work done as funding becomes available.

Contractor shall assume the responsibility and cost required to keep the facilities in the same condition for the duration of the contract after the initial site improvement work has been completed and accepted by the County Project Manager. Contractor shall assume the responsibility and cost required to keep the facilities in the same condition for the duration of the contract. If Contractor fails to maintain any site in a clean, neat, safe, and professionally maintained appearance, consistent with the scope of work, and the County's expectations as determined by the County Project Manager, the County reserves the right to hire an independent contractor to restore the site. The restoration costs shall be deducted from the Contractor's regular monthly payment(s). The County reserves the right to find the Contractor in default and terminate the contract.

County Inspections and Work Orders

The County may issue departmental service requests (Work Orders) and conduct random inspections of the sites throughout the contract term. The Contractor shall be notified of all Work Orders and any identified deficiencies by email. All Work Orders and deficiencies shall be addressed within five (5) business days from the initial date of notification. Upon completion of the required work, Contractor shall email the Project Manager that the work has been completed in accordance with County standards. Failure to notify the Project Manager by the sixth (6th) business day, or a determination by the County upon reinspection that the work remains unsatisfactory, shall result in a $80.00 site reinspection per site. This fee shall be deducted from the Contractor's monthly invoice and shall apply to the initial inspection and all subsequent re-inspections.

Mowing Requirements

The cut height of the Bahia and St. Augustine turf shall be maintained at three inches (3") with a maximum height of four and one-half inches (4.5"). No more than one-third (1/3) of the leaf blade height shall be removed in any single mowing. Mowing shall produce a clean, sharp cut with no streaking, scalping, bruising, or rough cutting, and with uniform distribution of clippings. Accumulation or piling of grass clippings is not acceptable. All mowing equipment blades shall be kept sharp at all times. Turf areas shall be well-manicured at all times. The Contractor shall be fully responsible for the replacement of any turf as a result of improper maintenance practices, including but not limited to inadequate irrigation, fertilization, pest control, weed control, or disease management. All replacement costs, including labor and materials, shall be borne by the Contractor.

Contractor shall determine the work schedule based on need, weather conditions, or other factors affecting the growth. Contractor shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Lake County Code and Land Development Code. The Contractor's ultimate responsibility is to maintain lawns that are consistently attractive, well-manicured, and reflect positively on both the County and the Contractor. The Contractor shall submit a monthly service schedule to the Project Manager for review and coordination and resubmit the schedule whenever revisions are made.

Edging Requirements

Contractor shall edge all plant beds, sidewalks, driveways, and curbs during each cutting visit. All clippings shall be picked up and properly disposed of by the Contractor, and all loss materials shall be blown from paved, concrete, or wood surfaces into the vegetative areas only. Edging with herbicides shall not be allowed.

Weeding Requirements

Contractor shall manually remove all weeds and extraneous vegetation from all beds and planted areas as needed to maintain a neat and attractive landscape. All debris generated from weeding and edging shall be collected and properly disposed of.

Mulching Requirements

Contractor shall provide and spread clean, treated cedar mulch, or match the existing type as approved by the Project Manager, at a minimum of twice per year in January and June. Mulch shall be applied to maintain a minimum depth of two (2) inches (2") in all plant beds at all sites; and additional mulch shall be applied on an as needed basis.

Raking Requirements

Contractor shall be responsible for raking and properly disposing of leaves from trees, bushes, shrubbery, etc. Plant beds shall not be used to dispose of fallen leaves.

Shrub Trimming Requirements

Contractor shall perform casual trimming of all shrubs at least once every three (3) months to maintain their natural shape and remove dead or dying branches. All new shoots two inches (2") or longer shall be trimmed. Shrubs shall not be trimmed to bare limbs. The Contractor shall trim any limbs that come into contact with buildings to maintain a minimum clearance of one foot (1') at all times.

Tree Overhang Trimming Requirements

Contractor shall trim all tree branches that hang over or intrude into walkways or parking areas at least once a year in December, and as needed to ensure no vegetation is lower than ten feet (10') above any ground, walking, or parking surface. Trimming shall also maintain, where possible, a minimum clearance of seven feet (7') from flagpoles, signage, lighting, fencing, and other structures. The Contractor shall remove dead palm fronds and trim any branches in contact with buildings, maintaining, where possible, a minimum of seven-foot (7') clearance in all directions.

Contractor shall remove Spanish moss from trees as needed when heavy infestation is present or when moss accumulation detracts from health, safety, or appearance of the tree. Removal of Spanish moss shall be included as part of all tree trimming activities. All removed Spanish moss shall be collected and properly disposed of in a legal and appropriate matter. Removal shall be performed in a manner that does not damage the tree.

Plant Material Damage, Removal, and Replacement Requirements

Dead plant material shall be promptly removed by the Contractor. Removal shall be documented with photographs and submitted electronically to the County Project Manager within 24 hours. Trees and shrubs may require replacement due to vandalism, freezing conditions, disease, or malformation. The County may request a written quotation from the Contractor for labor and material costs for removal and replacement; however, the County reserves the right to perform the work with its own staff or use another contractor.

Litter, Debris, and Branch Removal

Contractor shall be responsible for the pick-up, removal, and proper disposal of all litter, debris, plant cuttings, branches, and similar items from County property at each site visit. Items such as bottles, cans, wood, tires, concrete, cigarettes, and paper, which could be torn, scattered, or broken by mowing, shall be included. Equipment used to transport litter shall be designed to prevent loss or distribution of debris. All litter shall be disposed of in a legal and appropriate manner.

IRRIGATION REQUIRMENTS

Contractor shall assume all responsibility for inspection, maintenance, repair, alteration, and all costs required to ensure that the irrigation systems operate as designed, providing adequate coverage, application rates, and frequencies for all County facilities. The Contractor shall promote efficient water use and protect water resources. All irrigation components necessary for system operation shall be maintained by the Contractor, including but not limited to controllers/timers, fittings, risers, sensors, sprinkler heads, rotors, backflow preventers, piping, misters, valve boxes, bubblers, manifolds, wiring, and rain sensors. The Contractor shall not be responsible for the electrical circuit from the controller/timer connection to the electrical panel.

CHEMICAL LAWN REQUIREMENTS

Fertilization and Pest Control Program for Turf and Shrubs Requirement

Contractor shall hold the appropriate licensing from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for the commercial application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

The Contractor shall be fully responsible for all chemical lawn treatments, including all associated costs, necessary to maintain healthy turf. Services shall include the application of fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The Contractor shall perform all treatments required to maintain a green, healthy landscape free of disease, pests, and weeds, while ensuring public safety at all times. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable State, local, and federal regulations, including those of the State of the Board of Health, and shall be liable for any damages resulting from chemical application. Year-round treatment shall be provided for chinch bugs, ants (including fire ants), web worms, mole crickets, and other pests at all facilities, as well as herbicide applications as needed. This scope applies to St. Augustine and Bahia grass. Contractor shall comply with the UF-IFAS Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries ("GI-BMP Manual").

Shrubs, Palms, and Ornamentals Requirements

All shrubs, palms, and ornamentals shall be fertilized with a complete fertilizer. Insect control shall be performed as needed throughout the year. Disease control and prevention treatments shall be applied to new growth only. The Contractor shall document and identify the plant treated, pest targeted, and the type of pesticide used for all applications. Sago palms shall be treated for Asian Cycad Scale as needed. Lichens, Spanish moss, and ball moss shall be treated on an as-needed basis. Any plants or vegetation damaged as a result of improper herbicide or pesticide application shall be replaced by the Contractor at no cost to the County.

Weeding Requirements

The Contractor shall keep all concrete, paver, and asphalt walkways and driveways free of vegetation at all times. When herbicides are used on hardscape areas, a non-staining temporary tracer dye shall be applied. Weeds shall be manually removed and properly disposed of once dead. All debris generated from weeding shall be collected and disposed of at no additional cost to the County.

[End of Exhibit A.]