Title
Resolution for an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Application and Memorandum of Agreement - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for Improvements to the Tree Inventory Data Collection Process (B)
This item involves a request for adoption of a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Application and Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Gainesville, Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for Improvements to the Tree Inventory Data Collection Process.
Explanation
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services funds an Urban and Community Forest Grant Program. The purpose of the grant program is to provide financial assistance to initiate or enhance local urban and community forestry programs and improve the urban environment within the State of Florida.
The grant program requires a 50-50 match and provides up to $20,000 to local governments for a variety of urban forestry projects including tree inventories and the associated staff costs, hardware, software and equipment necessary to maintain the tree data and develop effective work management plans.
If awarded, the funding would be used to purchase mobile collection devices, tree assessment equipment, and hire a part-time intern. This will improve data collection efficiency in the field and help create better systems for scheduling right of way tree maintenance and annual tree assessments. The data collected is vital in determining pre-disaster mitigation activities.
Fiscal Note
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program requires a 50% match of the total project cost. The grant request is for $13,910. The match of $13,910 will be provided through a combination of in-kind personnel services and funding available in the Public Works FY2013 operating budget.
Recommendation
The City Commission adopt the Resolution.