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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/1997, C-8 - APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION'S URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM council Lb j acEnaa Repoin C.g C I T Y OF SAN L U IS O B I S P O FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION'S URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a Resolution authorizing staff submittal of a grant application to the California Department of Forestry and Resource Conservation in amount of$16,500 for purchase of trees for use at the open space lands along Highway 101 at the Water Reclamation Facility and associated educational information. DISCUSSION The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has an annual grant program that assists local agencies in tree planting programs. The program covers the cost of the trees only, except for a small portion(not to exceed 101/6)that may be used for educational purposes. Because of increased citizen interest in San Luis Obispo Creek, especially in the area of the Water Reclamation Facility, and the availability of volunteer support for planting programs, staff felt that this year would be opportune for seeking fimding support for a comprehensive planting program at that site. At an average cost of$15 per tree(for five-gallon stock), staff is recommending authorization to purchase 1,000 trees for this area All would be California native species, including coast redwood,Douglas fir, coast live oak, valley oak, tanbark oak, bigleaf maple, box elder, Fremont and black cottonwood, islay, blue elderberry, buckeye, bay, and possibly Torrey pine and Santa Lucia fir. Plantings would be located in the northerly portion of the WRF fields (to avoid conflict with anticipated enlargement of the WRF ponds) and along the banks of San Luis Obispo and Prefrmo Creeks. For the educational component of the project we will be proposing the development and use of a pamphlet describing the trees at the site and their value as residential plantings, at an estimated cost of$1,500. FISCAL IMPACT This grant, if successful, will have a modest, beneficial fiscal effect by providing outside funding support for the community goal of planting 2,000 trees by the year 2000. Planting would be by volunteers, watering would likely be done by a combination of volunteers and a temporary irrigation system (which cannot be charged to the grant). Some staking will be necessary; stakes also cannot be purchased with grant funds and we therefore anticipate allocation of approximately $1,500 from the Natural Resources Program or other outside contributions to fiord the stakes. Staff is working with the Land Conservancy to find methods of sharing materials as the Land Conservancy is also engaged in a major tree planting program along San Luis Obispo Creek south of the City. Council Agenda Report-Tide of Report Page 2 CONCURRENCES The City Arborist is supportive of the grant request, and is in fact central to it, as he must ensure that the nursery stock purchased for the project meets the standards set by the Department of Forestry, as well as provide certain other assurances. The Utilities Department, which is responsible for the City property which is the site of the project, is likewise supportive of the effort. Attachments Resolution Grant Program Summary �-2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION'S URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS THE SAN LUIS OBISPO NATIVE TREE PROJECT WHEREAS, the people of the State of California have enacted the California Wildlife, Coastal and Park Land Conservation Act of 1988, which provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for urban forestry programs; and WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing application by local agencies and non-profit organizations under the program; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection require the applicant to certify by resolution the approval of application before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, the applicant will enter into an agreement with the State of California to cant'out a tree planting project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby- 1. ereby1. Authorize the filing of an application for State grant assistance from the Urban Forestry Program under the California Wildlife, Coastal, and Park Land Conservation Bond Act of 1988 for the above project, and 2. Certifies that said applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and 3. Certfies that funds under the jurisdiction of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo are available to begin the project; and 4. Certifies that said applicant will expend grant funds prior to January 31, 1999; and 5. Appoints the City Administrative Officer or his designee as agent of the City to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. Approved and adopted this 20th day of May, 1997. On motion of . seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: �Xr The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of_ __ : 1997. Allen K Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Bonnie L Ga4 City Clark- APPROVED lerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: rd(gen en ity A mey { 9eey 1997 APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES FOR THE URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM under the California Wildlife, Coastal, and Park Land Conservation Bond Act of 1988 tel'. till ' ,rr . � � . • . • • I •� r . I�•y� *•� Yr I ' I i f.. •• ••1••111 ��� % ��*y J I �� �• Lam• ��\*��~ aSUN •••�//,,�� fill al • . A `. • 1.�j •.� v • .• r J Jit• 1 in 1 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Iylll.y +�,il I•.Itl�� C Q � 1 4 I INTRODUCTION This guide has been developed to assist cities, counties, districts, and non-profit organizations apply for grants under the urban forestry portion of the California Wildlife, Coastal, and Park Land Conservation Bond Act of 1988 (Proposition 70) . The California Department of Forestry and Fire. Protection' s (CDF) 1997/98 allocation under Proposition 70 will be a minimum of $633, 000 . II PROGRAM GOALS A. Plant large crowning, environmentally tolerant and high quality trees in appropriate places to provide shade and other human benefits. B. Require a commitment to long-term tree maintenance to ensure health, long-term survival and safety. C. Promote proper tree planting techniques and improve tree maintenance practices. D. Incorporate community involvement/participation/education and stewardship into every project. E. Increase statewide public awareness of the benefits of urban forests and .long-term management through public outreach programs. F. Encourage projects that will inspire similar projects by leveraging community resources . III IMPORTANT POINTS A. The deadline for receipt of your proposal is 4:00 p.m. , Friday, May 23, 1997 . A postmark of May 23, 1997, will not be accepted. B. A minimum of $633, 000 is available for grants. C. Successful applicants will be notified in July. The anticipated start up date is October, 1997. Work cannot begin until contract is fully executed. D. Projects must be completed within 18 months of project award. Exceptions may be allowed if sufficient justification is provided and approved in writing. i i f f 1 L'-f-VI, E. Eligible costs are limited to the purchase of trees and purchase and/or production of educational material. See Section X for more detail. [ ] General Tree Planting Assistance: limited to the purchase of trees and purchase and/or production of educational material related to the planting project, not to exceed 104 of the requested grant. ( ] Local government/Power Utility Cooperative: (may only be used for Projects under owerlines) limited to the purchase of trees, stakes, ties, fertilizer, soil amendment, root barriers (when required by local ordinance) , and educational materials related to the planting project, not to exceed 104 of the requested grant. F. The nursery invoice (s) must accompany each of your invoices. See Section XXIII for more detail on submitting your invoices. G. A completion report must be submitted within 60 days of completion of the project. See Section XXIV on preparing your completion report. H. Grant recipients will need start-up and operating funds to cover expenses until invoices are reimbursed by the State. Advance payments will not be made by the State. It- normally takes 60 days to process the invoice and issue a check. 1 . In accordance with State contract requirements, an amount equal to lot of the invoice will be withheld from each payment. Final payment will include the 104 withholding. J. The maximum grant request is $30, 000 and the minimum request is $1, 000. The cost of individual trees must not exceed the average California wholesale rate for a high quality 15 gallon tree of the species to be planted. Maximum reimburse rate will not exceed $60. K. An amount equal to 104 of the total grant amount may be used for public awareness and education to encourage public participation, stewardship, and additional community tree planting. Specific plans must be submitted with your application if you are planning to do this. L. Projects will be evaluated and rated solely on the information contained in the grant application and proposal. Make sure they are complete and accurate. M. Grants under this program will be limited to one per applicant per year and a total of four grants over the life of this program. Applicants that have already received four Proposition 70 Urban Forestry Grants will not be eligible for another grant under this 1996 Request for Proposals. V. The purchased trees must meet the standards specified for acceptance of nursery trees. See Appendix I. 2 �-� e 9 IV ADMINISTRATION To receive a grant, successful applicants must enter into an agreement with the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection. Grant recipients must agree to complete their project and allow for periodic inspection. In return, the Director agrees to share the cost of the project. You will also be required to obtain a resolution from your Board of Directors, City Council, or. Board of Supervisors that authorizes your project and allows the person responsible for the project to sign legal documents. The Program Administrator is: Eric A. Oldar California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Telephone: (909) 782-4140 Extension: 6125 V ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Eligible applicants are cities, counties, districts, and non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations must have 501C status and provide proof of tax exemption. VI GRANT AMOUNT The maximum amount that an applicant may request is $30, 000 for any project. Only one type of tree planting project may be undertaken by the applicant. Slight reduction in maximum amounts awarded may be necessary after the review process. An amount equal to 10% of the total grant may be used for public awareness and education that will encourage public participation, stewardship, and additional community tree planting. Be very specific in your budget detail how this money will be spent. VII ELIGIBLE PROJECTS [ ] GENERAL TREE PLANTING ASSISTANCE A. Planting trees to shade concrete or asphalt, including but. not limited to streets, and walkways. B. Planting trees in public parking lots and school yards. C. Planting trees to shade buildings. D. Planting trees in dedicated open space including but not limited to excess parcels resulting from the construction of streets, airports, or waste reclamation facilities. 3