DATE:
September 8, 2026
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Community Services Department
TITLE: Authorize Professional Services
Agreement for Community Engagement
and Tree Planting Services
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a professional services agreement with Canopy, a California nonprofit organization (Entity No. 2373157), for community engagement and tree planting services, in an amount not to exceed $508,700.
BACKGROUND
The City has contracted with Canopy, a nonprofit urban forestry organization, since Fiscal Year 2019-20 to provide community -based tree planting, education, volunteer engagement, staff training, and outreach that supports the preservation and enhancement of Mountain View’s urban forest.
On September 9, 2025 , the Council authorized the City Manager or designee to execute a tree mitigation agreement with Google LLC to support additional urban forestry efforts throughout the City. Funding received from Google was deposited into the Tree Mitigation Fund, which funds tree planting and canopy enhancement. On November 18, 2025, the additional funding from Google was appropriated in the Tree Mitigation Fund, and subsequently used to amend Canopy’s agreement to include additional community tree planting events in FY25 -26. Throughout FY25- 26, Canopy planted a total of 203 trees across 23 public parks and spaces.
On June 23, 2026, the Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 -27 City Budget, which included $125,000 from the General Operating Fund and $200,000 from the Tree Mitigation Fund to continue and expand Canopy’s tree planting services.
ANALYSIS
For Fiscal Year 2026-27, the City wishes to enter into a new annual agreement with Canopy. The proposed agreement expands upon Canopy’s ongoing community engagement, education, and tree planting services to increase tree planting and stewardship activities throughout the City.
The expanded scope will support the City’s goals for enhancing and diversifying the urban forest,
Authorize Professional Services Agreement for
Community Engagement and Tree Planting Services
September 8, 2026
increasing tree canopy, improving habitat and ecological benefits, and promoting climate - resilient landscapes. A summary of the scope of services is provided below, with a detailed description of the scope included in Attachment 1.
• Tree Planting Events. Canopy will assist the City in planning and planting of up to 300 trees at community tree planting events throughout the year . Canopy will be responsible for providing and coordinating all volunteers, planting tools, educational materials, and event promotion. The increased number of planting events will allow the City to expand tree planting opportunities in public spaces and advance the City’s tree canopy and biodiversity goals.
• Education. Canopy will provide educational programs to a variety of audiences with the goal of informing and inspiring community members to become stewards of the City’s urban forest. Educational activities will also help community members understand the relationship between trees, biodiversity, habitat, climate resilience, and the overall health of the urban ecosystem within Mountain View.
• Tree Care . Canopy will assist the City in its planning and performance of routine urban forestry care, including planning and conducting multiple Young Tree Care training courses for City Parks staff and Volunteer Tree Care Workdays directly following each training.
• Marketing and Outreach . Canopy will cultivate community support for and serve as a comprehensive information source about the City’s urban forest, through focused marketing efforts and specific outreach activities. Outreach will help increase awareness of the role that trees and other vegetation play in supporting biodiversity, providing habitat, improving environmental conditions, and creating a more resilient community.
• Irrigation and Mulching Services. Canopy will make minor irrigation adjustments and repairs and apply composted mulch in support of the City’s biodiversity efforts and turf conversions related to California State Senate Bill 1572, which requires the elimination of non-essential turf.
Authorize Professional Services Agreement for
Community Engagement and Tree Planting Services
September 8, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Canopy agreement for Fiscal Year 2026 -27 is for a total not-to-exceed amount of $508,700. Funding is available from the following sources:
Funding Source Amount
General Operating Fund $125,000
Tree Mitigation Fund $200,000
Forestry Maintenance Program and Street Tree Replanting, Project 26-18 $108,700 Biennial Median Renovations and Roadway Landscape Renovations, Project 24-20 $75,000 Total $508,700
The Fiscal Year 2026 -27 Adopted Budget includes the above General Operating Fund and Tree Mitigation Fund appropriations for Forestry outreach and education contract services. The remaining $183,700 in expanded services will be funded from Project 26-18, Forestry Maintenance Program and Street Tree Replanting and from Project 24 -20, Biennial Median Renovations and Roadway Landscape Renovations . Project 24- 20 was amended in Fiscal Year 2023-24 to add funds for biodiverse landscaping improvements. Use of these funds for Canopy’s expanded tree planting and community engagement services will support the City’s goals to increase tree canopy, enhance biodiversity, and improve the ecological value and resilience of landscaped areas throughout the City.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to- play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
☐ Land development entitlements
☐ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
☒ Contract or franchise agreement
☒ Material contract modification or amendment
Authorize Professional Services Agreement for
Community Engagement and Tree Planting Services
September 8, 2026
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the recommended professional services agreement amendment.
2. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING—Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
Brenda Sylvia
Assistant Community Services Director
Russell Hansen
Urban Forest Manager
Lindsay Wong
Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by:
John Marchant
Community Services Director
Approved by:
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
Attachment: 1. Scope of Work