City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: DECEMBER 19, 2023 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - FOREST SERVICE URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY INFLATION REDUCTION ACT GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 AND IN-KIND MATCH OF CITY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Accept a grant award from United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service in the amount of $1,000,000 to create a comprehensive tree inventory and develop an in-house database/inventory management system, with an in-kind match of City funds in the amount of $1,000,000.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve acceptance of the 2023 United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant award in the amount of $1,000,000 to create a comprehensive tree inventory and develop an in-house database/inventory management system, with an in-kind match of City funds in the amount of $1,000,000; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenues in the amount of $1,000,000 to the USDA – FS Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and appropriate expenditures in the same amount to the USDA – FS Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents for the grant funding, including but not limited to payment requests, agreements, and amendments, and making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
Through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service (USDA-FS) is making historic investments in boosting the nation’s tree cover in urban, suburban and rural communities nationwide. The Forest Service received 842 applications seeking over $6 billion and selected 385 grant proposals for award of $1.13 billion to entities working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces, and the many benefits they provide. All of the funding will flow to disadvantaged communities and funded proposals are located in all 50 states.
On June 1, 2023, the City of Riverside Public Works Department submitted a grant proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service requesting $8,314,439.55, including dollar for dollar in-kind matching, to create a city-wide tree inventory and canopy assessment, development of a tree management database, completion of an urban forest management plan, planting 1,500 trees and a suite of outreach and educational activities to support these efforts. TreePeople, a Southern California nonprofit, was designated as a key partner, along with numerous local organizations. The project prioritized the city’s disadvantaged neighborhoods to enhance their access to the urban forest and provide environmental justice.
On September 14, 2023, the Public Works Department received notification from the USDA-FS that we were awarded $1,000,000. This was a highly competitive grant process and Public Works received one of 43 awards made to entities in California. All federal grant funds are to be matched at least equally dollar for dollar with non-federal match which may include allowable and allocable in-kind contributions (i.e. personnel salary, fringe, and indirect costs; services, materials, supplies, equipment donations; and volunteer assistance), and private and public (non-federal) monetary contributions.
The City’s grant application was made successful by the enormous support of the City Council and many City departments including the City Manager’s Office, Riverside Public Utilities, Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Innovation & Technology (IT), and General Services. In addition, letters of support were submitted with the grant application from the Inland Empire Community Foundation, the Riverwalk Community, Victoria Avenue Forever, and the Rivers and Lands Conservancy.
DISCUSSION:
Following notification of the award, staff met with USDA-FS grant administrators to discuss a revised project narrative and budget based on the awarded amount. The narrative was modified to include creating a comprehensive tree inventory and developing an in-house database/inventory management system during the grant’s five-year performance period with a budget of $1,000,000 from the USDA-FS grant and in-kind match of City funds in the amount of $1,000,000. The original grant application included completion of an urban forest management plan and the planting of 1,500 trees that were omitted from the revised narrative in order to stay within the awarded amount. These efforts will be included in applications for future grant opportunities.
Over the next five-year grant performance period, the Public Works Department will work closely with other City departments such as IT, Parks, Recreation, & Community Services, Riverside Public Utilities, and General Services to develop the look and functionality of the database and determine what data to gather in order to reach the overarching objecting of better management of all trees throughout the city’s urban forest. In addition, there will be community engagement with civic organizations, non-profits, and neighborhood groups in disadvantaged areas to ensure they have a voice and to help the community better understand and interact with our urban forest. This in turn will help to increase public education about the enormous benefits of our urban forest and the need to grow and maintain it for future generations. Additionally, Public Works will leverage its existing tree planting budget to add new trees in disadvantaged communities across the city and help build the urban forest.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to 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 five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Obtaining a grant to provide better tools to manage our urban forest benefits all city residents, businesses, and visitors by helping to provide resources to manage and remove gaseous air pollutants, sequestering carbon, and providing shade that will help to cool our city during hot summer days and ensures our community has a healthier environment to enjoy.
Equity – Receiving this grant will provide an in-house database and inventory system that will benefit all residents throughout the City by providing a tool to access and view the care of the urban forest.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Public Works Department is committed to researching and applying for grants that will better enhance the activities of the Urban Forestry and Landscape Division by infusing the Division with additional capital helping to reduce the burden on the general fund.
Innovation – With securing a grant to improve technology that manages the urban forest, the Public Works Department is committed to using the best possible resources available in today’s ever-changing markets to introduce new techniques by establishing successful ideas to create new value for the City.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Trees have been noted as being the “lungs of the earth.” With creating a fully comprehensive tree inventory and developing an in-house database/inventory management system through researching and implementing current improved methods in the industry that will better enhance the long-term care of our urban forest, provides proof that the City of Riverside and the Public Works Department, are committed to sustainability and resiliency by maintaining and supporting our valuable urban forest on a continuous basis, helping to improve the environment and the quality of life for our community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is $2,000,000, which includes $1,000,000 of the grant award and $1,000,000 of City match, which is an in-kind contribution to the project. Attachment 3 lists the in-kind contributions that will comprise the City match. Upon Council approval, an increase of $1,000,000 in revenue will be recorded and an equal amount appropriated in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, USDA – FS Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, revenue account 9280400-331300 and expenditure account 9280400-421001.
Prepared by: Robert Filiar, Urban Forestry Manager
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Award Email Notification
Presentation
Source of Matching Funds
United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Grant ● Page 2