City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2023 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3 MILLION FOR FUNDING FROM THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022/23 URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION ISSUE:
Adoption of a Resolution authorizing an application for funding in an amount not to exceed $3 million from the FY 2022/23 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program offered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment – A) to approve a funding application for FY 2022/23 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program offered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
DISCUSSION:
On January 2023 the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) announced the availability of the 2022/23 Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant which includes several different grant types. The Public Works Department is specifically interested in the Urban Forest Management Activities Grant whose purpose is to fund the development and implementation of urban forest management activities carried out by a local government jurisdiction to optimize the multiple benefits of its urban forest. As part of the application process, an approved Resolution is required before the application will be accepted.
The maximum grant award is $3,000,000 with a requirement that the City provide a 25% match. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2022/23 tree trimming and maintenance budget (a combination of General Fund and Measure Z funding) to satisfy the 25% matching funds requirement. If successful, a grant award will allow staff to:
Create a fully comprehensive tree inventory;
Develop an in-house database/inventory management system; Develop a long-term urban forest management plan built around our existing urban forestry policy (including setting a tree canopy cover goal); Conduct tree planting (approximately 200 trees) and associated activities; and Conduct education and outreach activities.
Public Works staff are incorporating the needs of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Riverside Public Utilities Department and coordinating these efforts with other staff. Staff is working to finalize an agreement with a grant writer from the City’s approved panel to assist with the application process at a cost of approximately $16,000.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental Stewardship and Goal 4.5 - Maintain and conserve 30% of Riverside’s natural lands in green space including, but not limited to, agricultural lands and urban forests in order to protect and restore Riverside’s rich biodiversity and accelerate the natural removal of carbon, furthering our community’s climate resilience.
This item aligns with each of the Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Management of the city’s urban forest and landscapes benefit all city residents, businesses and visitors by helping to remove gaseous air pollutants and sequestering carbon.
Equity – Approval of this action (and subsequent grant award) will benefit all who live in or travel through the city.
Fiscal Responsibility – Maintaining city owned landscapes and their infrastructure supports Public Works’ efforts to minimize inefficiencies and maximize reliability.
Innovation – Public Works’ Urban Forestry division is focused on implementing the newest technologies that allow us to maximize our sustainability efforts which include tree planting, inventory management and canopy cover goals.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Public Works’ Urban Forestry division values the need of sustainability and resiliency with fulfilling the current operational needs by utilizing resources such as applying for available grants, that will provide the tools needed for long term planning and guidance to benefit future generations by having advanced technologies, policies and procedures in place to help in the advancement of the urban forest.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact is approximately $3 million, or the actual award amount. If successful, the Public Works Department will return to City Council to accept and appropriate the grant award, identify the funding match, and establish project accounts.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment A: Resolution
CalFire Grant Resolution ● Page 2