M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: March 16, 2016
Re: 2016 State of Florida Department of Agriculture - Grant Application
REQUESTT
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Body
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town of Cutler Bay has been awarded a total of $27,500 over the past three (3) fiscal years from the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. These grants have been used successfully to conduct corrective pruning of Town trees, located along right-of-ways.
The Town's 2016-17 Grant Application will introduce the Florida Friendly Landscape Project. The Town will apply for up to $20,000. The purpose of the Florida Friendly Landscape Project is to upgrade the landscaping at the Town Center Building to qualify for certification from the University of Florida IFAS Extension as a Florida Friendly Yard. The long-term goal of this project is to raise awareness about Florida Friendly best practices throughout the community and inspire residents to seek out Florida Friendly certification for their homes (See Attachment "A" - Grant Overview).
The purpose of the 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. There are three (3) categories of funding for local governments; Tree Program Development/Improvement, Site Specific Projects, and Information/Education.
The Town is required to provide a fifty percent (50%) match of the total Project costs. The required match can be in the form of in-kind costs (Town staff salaries) and cash match.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council approve the attached...
Click here for full text