City Council Meeting Date: March 10, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Consider Resolution Approving Application for Environmental Assistance Grant.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached resolution for a grant application for the Environmental Assistance Grant Round: Climate Adaptation, State FY 2020.
Summary Report:
The following is a brief summary of the proposed project:
The City of Northfield is applying for funding with the goal to build our community’s resilience around climate change to address the issues of heat, cold, air quality and flooding. We propose to do this by enhancing our tree canopy.
Currently Northfield’s tree canopy program is reactive rather than proactive. We have not been able to maintain and replant trees to the level we would like. In November 2019, the City adopted a Climate Action Plan that includes strategies for both mitigation, adaptation and resiliency including trees. The City has hired a Program Coordinator to help with management of the Climate Action Plan. We are also looking at expanding our staff capacity with an Arborist/Horticulturalist in our Streets & Parks Department to have more time to spend on trees and vegetative management. Community interest has grown with regard to what the public can do as volunteers. We are actively pursuing creation of a “tree fund” to which residents and businesses could make donations with funds used to improve our tree canopy. Given this growing momentum and commitment to addressing climate mitigation and adaptation, the time is right for Northfield to take more proactive action around trees.
Tasks include:
1) Staff and community partners will develop tree planting and maintenance plan.
2) Begin to implement this plan by planting more trees and enhancing maintenance.
3) Provide public education on tree planting and maintenance.
4) Solicit contributions to tree fund to help fund support future tree planting.
Staff presented the concept for this project to the EQC at its February 19th meeting. The EQC passed a motion supporting the application.
Alternative Options:
The City Council does not adopt the resolution and the application is not submitted.
Financial Impacts:
The grant request will be for approximately $45,500 (final amount will be included in supplemental) to cover cost of stump removal to replace dead or diseased trees and for planting 70 new trees on public property. The City will be contributing in-kind support through staff costs. The $15,000 listed as cash match will be from the proposed tree fund. This match is not required for the grant as there is sufficient match from the in-kind contributions.
Tentative Timelines:
Application due March 11, 2020.
Funds awarded in July 2020.
Grant will be implemented through May 2023.