HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 155-08TO:
FROM:
DATE:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL I 2
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
MARCH 10, 2008 CMR: 155:08
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF TWO RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTING THE CITY’S
APPLICATION FOR FUNI)ING FROM THE URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM
ENTITLED "AN URBAN FOREST FOR EVERY CITY," AS PROVIDED THROUGH
PROPOSITIONS 40 A~ND 84, FOR (1) AN URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN
GRANT AND (2) AN URBAN FORESTRY INVENTORY G!L4~NT
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recolmllends that the City Council adopt the two attached resolutions (Attachments A and
B) in support of the City’s applications for the Ca! Fire Urban Forestry grant prowam.
BACKGROUND
On Apri! 17, 2006 (Earth Day), the City Council adopted recormrlendations from a Colleagues’
Memo related to several enviromnental initiatives. One of these initiatives was the update of
Palo Alto’s Street Tree Management Plan. The Council directed staff to work with CANOPY
mad other interested citizens and to remm to Council in Spring 2007 with a draft update to the
Street Tree Management Plan. In September 2006, a task force was formed to begin work on the
update to the Street Tree Management Plan. The task force includes staff from Public Works,
Admillistrative Services, Utilities, Parks, Open Space, Plamaing, the City Manager’s Office and
representatives from CANOPY. At the outset, the team identified the need to broaden the scope
of the Street Tree Management Plan to encompass all elements of the City’s urban forest.
Currently, the City has numerous documents that address different elements of the urban forest,
including the Comprehensive Plan and the Tree Tectmical Manual. However, there is no single
document that identifies the overall goals and management strategies for the urban forest. The
goal of the working Woup has thus become the creation of a comprehensive docunaent that
addresses the management, protection and enhancement of the City’s urban forest resources.
This document will identify the issues facing Palo Alto’s urban forest and will provide concrete
actions for addressing these issues.
DISCUSSION
In support of this work effort, staff applied for two State Wants from the California Department
of Forestry (Ca! Fire), totaling $180,000. The first want would fund the development of the
Urban Forest Master Plan and COlmllunity engagement process. The other Want would fund an
CMR:155:08 Page 1 of 2
update to the City’s public tree inventory along with el~hancements to the City’s GIS software to
enable effective integration of two systems. The City received notification in late January that
Cal Fire selected both N’ant applications for funding. As part of the ~’ant process, the City must
submit a resolution adopted by the Ci~7 Council supporting both applications in order to finalize
funding (Attactmaents A and B).
RESOURCE IMPACT
The receipt of these grant funds ($180,000) will supplement the existing staff mad General Fmad
resources dedicated to these efforts and will greatly enhance the project outcomes. Before the
initial submittal of the applications, staff from Administrative Services reviewed the ~ant
program requirements and the proposals to confirm the matching resources proposed.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This work effort is consistent with the City Council’s direction in the April 2006 Colleagues’
Memo and the City’s Sustainability Policy. Additionally, this work effort is consistent with the
Council’s Top 4 priorities of Enviro~zrnemal Protection and Economic Health.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
These grants do not meet the definition of projects requiring enviromaaental review under
California Environmental-Quality Act (CEQA), Section 21065.
Attactmaent A:
Attaclvnent B:
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto for Funding From the
Urban Forestry Grmat Prograna Entitled "An Urban Forest for Every City,"
as Provided Tl~ough Propositions 40 and 84, for an Urban Forestry
Management Plan Grant
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto for Funding From the
Urban Forestry Grant Pro~am Entitled ’:An Urban Forestfor Every City,"
as Provided Tka’ough Propositions 40 and 84, for an Urban Forestry
Inventory Grant
PREPARED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Kelly Morariu
Assistant to the City Manager
EMILY HARRISON
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
CMR:155:08 Page 2 of 2
NOT YET APPROVED A
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CtTY OF PALO ALTO
FOR FUNDING FROM THE URBAN FORESTRY GRANT
PROGRAM ENTITLED "AN URBAN FOREST FOR EVERY CITY,"
AS PROVIDED THROUGH PROPOSITIONS 40 AND 84, FOR AN
URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN GRANT
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the
California State Legislature has enacted Propositions 40 and 84, which provide funds to the State
of California and its political subdivisions for urban forestry programs; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been delegated
the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary
procedures governing application by local agencies and non-profit organization under the
program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto ("City" or ’~Applicant") has applied for an urban
forestry program grant to finalize development of an Urban Forest Master Plan and to develop a
community engagement pr0gram around that plan; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of application before
submission of said application to the State; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant will enter into an agreement with the State of California
to carry out urban forestry project;
follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as
SECTION 1. The Council approves the filing of an application for "Propositions
40 and 84" grant program funds.
SECTION 2. The Council certifies that the City has or will have sufficient funds
to operate and maintain the project.
SECTION 3. The Council certifies that funds under the Jurisdiction of the City
of Palo Alto are available to begin the project.
SECTION 4. The Council certifies that the City will expend grant funds for the
Project prior to March 1, 2010.
SECTION 5. The Council appoints the City Manager or designee as the agent of
the City of Palo Alto to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including,
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NOT YET APPROVED
but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which
may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.
SECTION 6. The Council finds that the ~ant application and tree management
is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental
impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
Director of Public Works
Director of Administrative
Services
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NOT YET APPROVED B
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
FOR FUNDING FROM THE URBAN FORESTRY GRANT
PROGRAM ENTITLED "AN URBAN FOREST FOR EVERY CITY,"
AS PROVIDED THROUGH PROPOSITIONS 40 AND 84, FOR AN
URBAN FORESTRY ~VENTORY GRANT
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the
California State Legislature has enacted Propositions 40 and 84, which provide funds to the State
of California and its political subdivisions for urban forestry programs; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been delegated
the responsibility for the administration of the progam within the State, setting up necessary
procedures governing application by local agencies and non-profit organization under the
program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto ("City" or "Applicant") has applied for an urban
forestry progam gant to.jc0mplete an inventory of trees on City parkland and to update the
City’s existing street tree inventory; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of application before
submission of said application to the State; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant will enter into an a~eement with the State of California
to carry out urban forestry project;
follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as
SECTION 1. The Council approves the filing of an application for "Propositions
40 and 84" gant progam funds.
SECTION 2. The Council certifies that the City" has or will have sufficient funds
to operate and maintain the project.
SECTION 3. The Council certifies that funds under the Jurisdiction of the City
of Palo Alto are available to begin the project.
SECTION 4. The Council certifies that the City will expend ~ant funds for the
Project prior to March 1, 2010.
SECTION 5. The Council appoints the City Manager or designee as the agent of
the City of Palo Alto to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including,
080304mb 8260686
NOT YET APPROVED
but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which
may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.
SECTION 6. The Council finds that the grant application and tree inventory is
not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental
impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
AB S TEN TION S:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
Director of Public Works
Director of Administrative Sew-ices
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