M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: October 15, 2014
Re: Resolution to Accept an Urban and Community Forestry Grant
via Memorandum of Agreement with Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
REQUESTTitle
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 $10,000; 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.
Body
Funding Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Grant Title: 2014 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
(RFP/FFS-13/14-23)
Request Amount: $10,000 Match: $10,000 (cash/ in-kind)
On March 20, 2014, 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 Resolution # 14-15. On July 17, 2014, the Town received notification that the grant was "approved" and that 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").
The purpose of the National Urban and Community Forestry 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 the 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 plating trees throughout the Town. The Town will benefit from grant opportunities that will fund the maintenance of these trees. As the Tree Plan stated "The protection and proper maintenance of these trees is paramount to the success of this project."
The Town is asked to match 50% of the total cost of this project. This can be cash or in-kind (supplies, salaries, etc.).
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Mayor and Town Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into this Memorandum of Agreement with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the purpose of drawing down $10,000 in grant funding to enhance services provided by the Public Works Department.