AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
title
ACCEPTANCE OF GREENLATINOS URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAM SUBAWARD GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE STREET TREE PLANTING - FEDERAL PROJECT
summary
Summary:
The City Council adopted the 2023 Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) with the goal of to restoring and expanding the City’s urban forest canopy. Following the City’s adoption of the STMP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service made competitive grants available to plant and maintain trees to enhance and expand the nation’s urban forestry. On September 14, 2023, the USDA approved the City as a sub awardee, granting $1,000,000 in funding for its Street Tree Planting - Federal Project (Project). GreenLatinos, a national pass-through partner for the USDA Forest Service, will collaborate with the City throughout the duration of the Project to ensure implementation of and compliance with the terms of the grant agreement. The City Council will consider acceptance of grant funds for the Project and authorize the City Manager and/or Public Works Director to execute the grant agreement and all necessary documents to receive and expend awarded grant funds.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1: Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience
Goal No. 4: Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
recommendation
Recommendations:
1. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS FROM GREENLATINOS FOR THE STREET TREE PLANTING - FEDERAL PROJECT
2. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 FOR STREET TREE PLANTING - FEDERAL PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000
3. Authorize the City Manager and/or Public Works Director to administer the grant agreement and all necessary documents to receive and expend awarded grant funds.
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Fiscal Impact:
The total estimated costs for the project management, tree purchase, installation, and maintenance of the Project is $1,000,000. The total maximum grant award is $1,000,000 and does not require applicants to provide matching funds. The Adopted FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has a City-Wide Street Tree Installation Project (No. 90.24010) with a total project budget of $200,000 allocated from CIP Reserves. The Project is funded by the USDA. Staff will add the Project as the Street Tree Planting - Federal Project (No. 90.25012) with a funding source of CIP Grants, and a total project budget of $1,000,000. The City would receive and record the funds in the Capital Grants fund 240.
Background:
On February 28, 2023, the City Council, adopted the 2023 Street Tree Master Plan (STMP). The purpose of the STMP is to restore and expand urban forest canopy in areas with low tree cover, while engaging residents in community forestry efforts. The goals of this effort are to increase resilience of heat, flood, and storm events; increase wellness and recreational opportunities; and reduce in greenhouse gas and air quality pollutants across disadvantaged communities within Signal Hill. Key components of the plan include:
• Updating the City’s inventory of existing vacant tree well sites.
• Community outreach at City events, and online surveys to engage residents and gather feedback on tree species preference.
• An updated street tree palette and comprehensive procedures for selecting tree types at each location.
• Guidelines for planting and water new trees.
• Updated planting and maintenance guidelines, including revised tree spacing requirements in relation to existing utilities within the City right-of-way.
The City Council approved an amendment to the Street Tree Planting Ordinance (Ordinance) (Section 12.05.040 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code) to incorporate the policy goals of the STMP. Additionally, the 2023 Street Tree Policy update (Section 4.6 of the STMP) sets the goal to achieve 100% street tree stocking within five years. To achieve the goal outlined in the Street Tree Policy, the City would need to plant approximately 200 trees per year. Since the adoption of the STMP, the City planted over 300 trees throughout the City using the CIP Street Tree Installation Project (Project No. 90.24010), tree donations from nurseries, and at the City Mayor’s Clean-Up Event.
Analysis:
Following the adoption of the STMP and Ordinance, staff sought additional funding sources. The USDA Forest Service made competitive grants available under the authority of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, to plant and maintain trees to enhance and expand the nation’s urban forestry. The goal of the USDA’s program is to improve forest conditions and public health in urban communities by growing and maintaining urban trees, forests, and green spaces. On June 3, 2023, the City applied for the Urban and Community Forestry Program USDA Forest Service under the Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Notice of Funding Opportunity to secure federal funding for the Street Tree Planting - Federal Project. On September 14, 2023, the USDA approved the City’s project, which incorporates a plan to plant 594 new trees.
Upon signing the agreement, staff would initiate the process of selecting a consultant and contractor for the project through the City’s formal bidding process. The scope of work for this Project includes the following:
• Planning and Implementation (Phase 1): The City will select a consultant to assess the 594 vacant planting sites and determine site suitability to plant trees per the STMP guidelines and obtain quotes from nurseries for trees to be purchased.
• Tree Planting (Phase 2): The City will select a contractor to plant the 594 trees within the first year per planting specifications determined by the City.
• Tree Establishment Maintenance (Phase 3): The City will select a contractor to provide the appropriate tree watering and maintenance for a period of 3 years and 3 months. Thereafter, the City will provide regular annual maintenance. Property owners and residents will be responsible for ensuring that street trees located adjacent to their property receive the proper amount of water to maintain tree health, in accordance with section 12.05.030 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code.
Throughout the Project, staff plans to engage the community via multiple media sources both in English and Spanish. Staff will implement the following communication approach:
• A dedicated page on the City’s website which will include maps, project schedule, City point of contact, and information on maintaining the trees.
• An installation letter mailed to residents that will include a QR code which will provide a link to mapping locations, and information about the tree being planted near their residence.
• Poster boards with information about the tree site locations, species and City’s project website for more details will be displayed at the City Public Library and Community Center.
As noted above, the City’s adopted FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has a City-Wide Street Tree Installation Project (No. 90.24010) with a total project budget of $200,000 allocated from CIP Reserves. The additional grant funding from the USDA will greatly accelerate the City’s ability to implement the STMP and enable the City to allocate CIP funding for other projects.
Upon the execution of this Agreement, staff would proceed with the procurement process of obtaining a consultant for the first phase of this Project. Staff expects to issue a Notice to Proceed for Phase 1 in the Fall of 2024; Phase 2 and Phase 3 are expected to begin Winter of 2025. In order to ensure the City receives the requested funding, the City must fully execute the agreement no later than August 30, 2024. Upon execution of the agreement, the City may begin to spend grant funds for this Project.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
Sharon del Rosario
Attachments:
A. Agreement
B. Resolution Accepting Grant Funds
C. Resolution to Amend the Adopted FY 2024-25 Budget