M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: November 18, 2015
Re: Resolution to Accept FY2015 Urban and Community Forestry Grant
via Memorandum of Agreement with Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
REQUEST
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING Urban and Community Forestry Grant AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500; AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Funding Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Grant Title: 2015 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program (RFP/FFS-15/16-50)
Amount Awarded: $7,500 Required Match: $7,500 (cash/ in-kind)
On April 29, 2015, the Town of Cutler Bay submitted a grant proposal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requesting $10,000 to assist with the maintenance of trees throughout the community. This proposal was submitted with the approval of the Mayor and Town Council pursuant to Resolution15-28. On July 14, 2015, the Town received notification that the grant was approved in the amount of $7,500. The Town is required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to receive the funding (Attachment “A”). Municipalities are eligible to apply for this grant for up to three (3) consecutive years. This is the third (3) consecutive year that the Town has received this award for an aggregate amount of $27,500 since fiscal year 2013.
The purpose of the U&CF Grant Program is to cooperate with local governments to promote the planting and protection of trees to improve the livability of urban environments within the State of Florida. The Town has worked diligently to follow the goals and objectives of its adopted Master Tree Plan and has succeeded in being designated a “Tree City” each year since 2009 (extra points will be awarded in the grant for this). This has been accomplished by aggressively securing and planting trees throughout the Town owned swales and right-of-way. The Town will benefit from grant opportunities that will fund the maintenance of these planted trees. As the Tree Master Plan stated “The protection and proper maintenance of these trees is paramount to the success of this project.”
The Town is asked to match $1:$1 (minimum $7,500). This can be cash or in-kind (supplies, salaries, etc.).
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Mayor and Town Council grants the Town Manager permission to enter into this Memorandum of Agreement with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the purpose of drawing down $7,500 in grant funding to enhance services provided by the Public Works Department.