M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: September 27, 2017
Re: 2017 State of Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services -
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Application
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES 2017 URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
During the 2016-17 fiscal year, the Town of Cutler Bay was awarded a grant of $13,500 from the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program to implement a tree planting demonstration at the Town Center Building. The long-term goal of the Florida Friendly Landscaping and Tree Planting Project is to raise awareness about Florida Friendly best practices and native tree planting throughout the community, and inspire residents and business owners to seek out Florida Friendly certification for their properties. Planting of the new trees was completed on August 18, 2017.
The Town wishes to continue our efforts to increase the number of Florida native trees in public spaces throughout the Town by submitting an application for the FY2017 State of Florida Department of Agriculture Grant in the amount of $10,000 (“Grant”). This new Grant will complement the Canoe/Kayak Launch Project at the Lakes by the Bay Park. If the Town is awarded the Grant funds, the Town will be able to plant up to twenty-five (25) Florida Native canopy trees (the “Project”). As you are aware, the Town is in the process of conducting a series of public involvement meetings to help with the planning and design of the Canoe/Kayak Launch and environmental education project at Lakes by the Bay Park. The installation of canopy trees that will attract birds to the wetland is of great interest to the Town’s residents.
The purpose of the Forestry Grant Program is to cooperate with local governments in promoting the planting and protection of trees to improve the livability of urban environments within the State of Florida. 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 Resolution.