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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-050-1645 - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Grant 1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: March 14, 2012 Item Type: (Enter X in box) Resolution Ordinance Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance Reading: (Enter X in box) 1st Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: (Enter X in box) Yes No Yes No X X Funding Source: Urban Forestry Grant 50% Transportation 25% Stormwater 25% Advertising Requirement: (Enter X in box) Yes No X Contract/P.O. Required: (Enter X in box) Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: X N/A Strategic Plan Related (Enter X in box) Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Area: Enhance Organizational Bus. & Economic Dev Public Safety Quality of Education Qual. of Life & City Image X Communication Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy: (list the specific objective/strategy this item will address) 2. Improve City infrastructure 2.5 Increase Citywide tree Canopy (planting trees) X Sponsor Name Danny O. Crew, City Manager Department: Public Works Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES AND TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000.00); AUTHORIZING A MATCH OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THIS PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary: Background The loss of tree canopy from past storms has created a negative ecological and aesthetic impact in the City of Miami Gardens. To address this situation, the City has been promoting tree planting, resulting in ITEM K-9) CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services Grant 1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 over 8,300 trees planted throughout the community. The City has planted trees in the right‐of‐way, has given‐away fruit trees to residents, and the County has also planted trees throughout the City. Current Situation To strengthen our efforts, staff proposes to apply for the 2012 Urban and Community Forestry Grant to fund a study that will accurately measure our current tree canopy. This study will further our efforts in urban forest management and allow us to better understand the needs of each area of the City so that we can prioritize, schedule, and budget effectively. The Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program addresses the stewardship needs of natural resources where 80 percent of the nation's population lives, works, and plays. In the City of Miami Gardens, the quality of life is closely connected with land conversion associated with development, hence there is a strong economic case for conserving and restoring tree cover and green open space to help guide growth and improve the livability of community neighborhoods. In order to be awarded funds, U&CF grant requires City Council to support a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for the grant and to enter into a Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Staff will apply for $20,000 in grant funds. The grant requires a 50:50 match from the City in the event the grant is awarded. Proposed Action: That City Council approve this resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for 2012 Urban and Community Forestry Grant; authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services upon receiving the grant award; and appropriate the required matching funds. Attachment: None.