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Trees Forever Grant Application_Street Tree EnhancementMasterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque bfrIll All- Amedcacity 2007 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Trees Forever Grant Application for Street Tree Enhancement Project DATE: October 10, 2011 Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends City Council approval of the submission of a $7,000 Trees Forever grant application and the City's letter of support for the Street Tree Enhancement Project. The $7,000 local match would come from funds already budgeted in the $15,000 annual Street Tree Program. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Micfael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque AA- America City IIIIIf 2007 TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager SUBJECT: Trees Forever Grant Application for Street Tree Enhancement Project DATE: October 6, 2011 Introduction This memorandum transmits a $7,000 Trees Forever grant application for enhancing the City's annual $15,000 Street Tree Program (CIP #350 -1458 in the Leisure Services Department). The application, a resolution, and a City letter of support are enclosed. Background The Power of TreesTM Program is a partnership between Black Hills Energy, Trees Forever, and communities that empowers volunteers to complete and maintain locally - led tree planting projects. The purpose of the program is to provide funding and technical assistance for projects such as: parks, schools, residential areas, gateways, and trails. The goals of Power of Trees include: developing educated, empowered community volunteers; and the completion and maintenance of tree planting projects. The Power of Trees program provides annual matching grants for the purchase of trees, ranging from $500 to $7,000. Grants require a 1:1 match. Discussion The 2011 Urban Forest Evaluation for Dubuque assessed existing conditions of street trees and trees within park areas, looked at current forestry programming, and provided recommendations. While a majority of trees in the urban forest are in fair or better condition, there are several issues that will lead to a decline if not addressed. To address two of these issues, a lack of species diversity and a street tree population decline, the project woul implement a 110% replacement planting program for diverse species of street and park trees to begin improving our urban forest. The project will focus on replacing street trees that have been removed or are in decline in older neighborhoods as well as planting street trees in new subdivisions where none exist. The project steering committee would include: representatives from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission, and Sierra Club, as well as Leisure Services Department staff. 1 Trees Forever Grant Application for Street Tree Enhancement Project As part of the project, Trees Forever field coordinators would provide technical and planning assistance on the planting and care of trees, planting for energy efficiency, volunteer coordination, working with the media, and fundraising. The intent is to recruit volunteers from the surrounding neighborhoods, local environmental groups and area schools to plant the trees under the direction of the Trees Forever coordinators and the project steering committee. The Forestry Division will use the project to educate the general public as well as the volunteers about watering street trees planted in front of their properties as well as educate them about proper care and planting of private trees on their properties. Budget Impact The Trees Forever grant application is for a $7,000 cost -share for the Street Tree Enhancement Project. The $7,000 local match would come from funds already budgeted in the $15,000 annual Street Tree Program. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware estimates that trees cost $500 each. This amount includes both the price of the tree and the two -year replacement expense if needed. In conjunction with this project, the City will work to revive the once - active Trees Forever group in Dubuque to serve as a non - profit partner for fundraising additional monies to plant more trees. The City, through its steering committee members, also will seek support from service clubs and environmental groups in the community. Requested Action The requested action is for the City Council to approve the resolution for submission of the Trees Forever grant application and the City's letter of support for the Street Tree Enhancement Project in the amount of $7,000. Enclosures cc: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager Jenny Larson, Budget Director Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist F: \USERS \LCARSTEN \WP \GRANTS \Trees Forever \Trees Forever Grants Memo to MVM 2011.doc Application Form- Power of Trees Date: October 6, 2011 1. Matching grants will range from $500 to $7,000. Amount your committee is requesting: $ 7,000 Anticipated tree - planting event date: Spring 2012 If awarded, the check should be made out to: City of Dubuque Lei sure Services Department Your electric provider: Al l i ant Energy Community Name: City of Dubuque Population: 57,222 Organization /Committee Name (if applicable): Leisure Services Department Primary Contact Person: Marie Ware Address: ❑home» business Leisure Services Department, 2200 Bunker Hill Rd., Dubuque. City /State /Zip: Dubuque County: Dubuque Occupation: Leisure Services Manager Phone: Home: Work: 563- 589 -4264 Mobile: Fax: 563 - 589 -4391 E -mail: mware @cityofdubuque.orq List four additional individuals (from the various community sectors) who have agreed to serve on the initial steering committee should your town be chosen as a Trees Forever community (please refer to the steering committee criteria on the Questions & Answers Sheet included with this application.) Names and address must be complete. Name: Dr. Paul Hoffman, Chair, Park & Recreation Commission Address: Dhome IR business 988 W. 3rd St., Suite 203 City /State /Zip: Dubuque IA 52001 County: Dubuque Occupation: Dent i s t Phone: Home: Work: 563 -582 -7319 Mobile: E -mail: Name: Wayne Klosterman, Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission Address: ❑home IZI business River Val ley Nursery & Landscaping, 2811 Jackson St. City/State /Zip: Dubuque, IA 52001 County: Dubuque Occupation: Landscaper Phone: Home: Work: 563-582-1296Mobile: E -mail: Name: Steve Pregler, City Forester, Park Division Address: ❑homeEt business Leisure Services Department, 2200 Bunker Hill Rd. City/State /Zip: Dubuque, IA 52001 County: Dubuque Occupation: City Forester /Tree Crew Foreman Phone: Home: Work: 563- 589 -4298 Mobile: E -mail: spreg1er @cityofdubuque.org Name: Charles Winterwood, Sierra Club Address: home ❑ business 1555 Montrose Terrace City /State /Zip: Dubuque I A 52001 County: Dubuque Occupation: Ret i red physician Phone: Home: 563 - 588- 2783Work: Mobile: E -mail: cwinterwood@yahoo,com Our current city mayor is: Roy D. Buol Address: City Hall , 50 W. 13th St. City /State /Zip: Dubuque IA 52001 Phone: 563- 564 -5455 E -mail: rdbuol @cityofdubuque.org Have you received a written commitment from the mayor in support of this program? ISIYes ❑ No Please attach the mayor's letter of support if available. Local Media contact See enclosed media list E -mail: See I i st • If submitting photos, please sign here granting Trees Forever permission to use the photos in Trees Forever publications or promotional tools. -over- (Application Form - continued) 2.Please describe your planting project(s) and include a site plan and narrative description summarizing your project(s). The site plan may be a simple hand drawing and should include major roads, spacing and species to be planted along with a north directional arrow. The narrative description should address the following program goals: • Energy efficiency • Community involvement and awareness • Reforestation following storm damage (if applicable) See attached description. 3.List on a separate sheet potential fund - raising sources in your community for acquiring matching funds for this project. These may include local or regional foundations, service clubs, organizations, businesses which support community efforts, individuals and others. Does your local government have a line item in the annual budget for trees and /or tree care? ®Yes ❑No If yes, what amount? $316,8914 4.Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy both encourage volunteer involvement and public education in conjunction with your tree - planting project(s). Your Trees Forever field coordinator is a resource to help with these things. By involving volunteers your project will have a greater impact, be more successful and you will have more help with planting and care. Please describe how volunteers will be involved and the approximate number of volunteers that will be involved. Please share your ideas of how your committee will help educate the public; some possible examples include: • Demonstration on planting and mulching of trees at planting event • Workshop on establishment and long -term care of trees • Newspaper article on your community's newly revised tree ordinance • Newspaper article on species selection — emphasizing diversity • Newspaper article on tree benefits See attached description. 5.Proper planting and care of trees in the first few years is critical to the success of your tree - planting efforts for the long -term. Please describe your plan for maintenance of the trees planted and who is responsible for maintenance. See attached description. If your project is selected for funding, a Trees Forever representative will be in contact with you throughout the year. Please track and report volunteers involved and their hours throughout the year. You will be required to file an Annual Report Form. Failure to file the form will result in disqualification for the next funding period. Application Narrative — Power of Trees: City of Dubuque Street Tree Enhancement 2. The 2011 Urban Forest Evaluation for Dubuque assessed existing conditions of street trees and trees within park areas, looked at current forestry programming, and provided recommendations. While a majority of trees in the urban forest are in fair or better condition, there are several issues that will lead to a decline if not addressed. To address two of these issues, a lack of species diversity and a street tree population decline, the City seeks to implement a 110% replacement planting program for diverse species of street and park trees to begin improving our urban forest. The project will focus on replacing street trees that have been removed or are in decline in older neighborhoods as well as planting street trees in new subdivisions where none exist. This diagram shows a sample street tree planting layout for an 8 -foot planting lawn; actual field conditions will vary. 57-Kg T Proper management and placement of trees in the urban forest will provide significant economic, environmental, and social benefits. These include: energy conservation, improved air and water quality, reduced erosion and storm water runoff, enhanced neighborhood appearance, increased property values, reduced heat island effect, and reduced street maintenance costs. 3. In conjunction with this project, the City will work to revive the once - active Trees Forever group in Dubuque to serve as a non - profit partner for fundraising. The City, through its steering committee members, also will seek support from service clubs and environmental groups in the community. The City of Dubuque has a $15,000 annual budget for a street tree program as well as a $316,894 operating budget for the Forestry Division. 4. As part of the project, the project steering committee would collaborate with Trees Forever field coordinators to provide technical and planning assistance with the planting and care of trees, planting for energy efficiency, volunteer coordination, working with the media, and fundraising. The intent is to recruit 50 volunteers from the surrounding neighborhoods, local environmental groups and area schools to plant the trees under the direction of the Trees Forever coordinators and the project steering committee. Efforts will be featured on the City's website and CityChannel 8 on cable TV. 5. The City of Dubuque has a Forestry Division, which is responsible for the maintenance of street trees located on the public right -of -way, between street and sidewalk, in public parks, and on other City property. The Forestry Division will use the project to educate the general public as well as the volunteers about watering street trees planted in front of their properties as well as educate them about proper care and planting of private trees on their properties. Prepared by: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589 -4210 Return to: Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589 -4210 RESOLUTION NO. 349 -11 SUPPORT OF TREES FOREVER APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FOR THE STREET TREE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Whereas, Trees Forever provides funding and technical assistance for tree planting projects in parks, schools, residential areas, gateways, and street parkways; and Whereas, the City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year 2012 -2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, which includes the City's local match from the annual Street Tree Program. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. The Mayor is authorized to sign the letter of support and submit this grant application to Trees Forever for the Street Tree Enhancement Project. Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of October , 2011. Attest: Kevin rinstahl, City Clerk F: \USERS \LCARSTEN \WP \GRANTS \Trees Forever \Trees Forever Resolution Street Trees.doc Q Roy D. Buol, Mayor Office of the Mayor City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 -4864 (563) 589 -4120 office (563) 589-40890 fax rdbuol @cityofdubuque.org Deb Roman Trees Forever 770 7th Avenue Marion IA 52302 THE CITY OF Dui Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque AN-Amatca City 111 2007 October 18, 2011 SUBJECT: Trees Forever Grant Application for Street Tree Enhancement Project Dear Ms. Roman: On behalf of the City of Dubuque, I am pleased to provide this letter of support for the enclosed Trees Forever Grant Application for the Street Tree Enhancement Project. We welcome the chance to partner with Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy in Dubuque on this exciting project. The Street Tree Enhancement Project will focus on replacing street trees that have been removed or are in decline in older neighborhoods as well as planting street trees in new subdivisions where none exist. We intend to recruit volunteers from the surrounding neighborhoods, local environmental groups and area schools to plant the trees under the direction of the Trees Forever coordinators and the project steering committee. Efforts will be featured on the City's website and CityChannel 8 on cable TV. In conjunction with this project, the City will work to revive the once - active Trees Forever group in Dubuque to serve as a non - profit partner for fundraising additional monies to plant more trees. We hope Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy will support this grant application. Sincerely, Roy D. Buol, Mayor City of Dubuque Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork