City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
2023 USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Grant Application File ID: 2023-00632
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to: 1) submit an application for the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant funding; 2) accept and execute the grant agreement and any related documents necessary to support the grant application and award; and 3) submit letters of support for other organizations submitting Urban Forestry grant applications that benefit the region.
Contact: Rachel Patten, Sustainability Analyst, (916) 808-5016, [email protected], Department of Public Works; Lucinda Willcox, Assistant Director, (916) 808-5052, [email protected], Department of Public Works Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has issued a notice of funding availability for $1 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. This grant is available for investments that increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated benefits in disadvantaged communities, broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning, and improve community and urban forest resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events.
Grant applications are due June 1, 2023. The minimum federal funding amount for projects is $100,000 and the maximum is $50 million, although the maximum is intended for larger statewide programs. The grant requires all federal funds to be matched at a minimum of 50% (dollar for dollar) with non-federal match; however, match waivers are available for proposals that deliver 100% of the
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
funding and program benefits to federally recognized disadvantaged communities.
Improving equity so that all communities in Sacramento are supported with tree canopy and realize those benefits are critical City policy objectives; therefore, staff recommends pursuing a grant application for projects that are located 100% within federally recognized disadvantaged communities to maximize the benefit of federal dollars and not constrain the grant request due to limited available local funds.
Based upon the stated goals and requirements of the grant program, policy objectives of the City and regional partners, and desired outcomes for community benefits, staff has scoped a project application with the following key components:
· Increase tree planting and tree resilience in City parks and other facilities, including the Sacramento Marina. This effort would include tree planting, irrigation system upgrades, and storm restoration in City parks and facilities located within federally recognized disadvantaged communities. Community engagement and education would be a key component of these efforts to increase community stewardship and involvement in tree efforts. · Parking lot greening. This effort would aim to increase shading in parking lots, a key contributor to urban heat islands. This effort would include development of a guide to parking lot development to meet 50% shade requirements, as well as development of a pilot community grant program to provide funding to retrofit existing privately-owned parking lots by adding trees, focusing on properties in federally disadvantaged communities. This effort would also include property and business owner engagement efforts and support of AB 617 air quality priority areas to help monitor how tree planting improvements address air quality in these areas.
· Development and expansion of workforce development programs for tree-related occupations (e.g., tree trimmers, irrigation specialists) to focus on high school and community college programs and the City’s landscape and learning participants. This effort includes a partnership with the Los Rio Community College District to expand a community college program that results in certified tree trimming occupations, with the intent to create pipelines from local high schools and conservation corps into these programs. This task also includes identification and promotion of internships and apprentice/trainee programs. · Partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation to support community education and tree planting events, including activities at least twice a year to support Arbor Day and 916 day.
Engagement efforts will focus on inclusion of local communities, including multi-lingual efforts to expand tree planting efforts and education about tree care and tree programs in under- canopied communities in federally recognized disadvantaged communities.
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
The project will focus on the neighborhoods and business districts in the federally recognized disadvantaged communities (see figure in “Background” section). The grant application will be highly collaborative with engagement across City departments and with other agencies, including the Sacramento Air Quality Management District and Sacramento Municipal Utilities District.
Policy Considerations: This project is consistent with a variety of City policies to support the sustainability and enhancement of the city’s urban forest, including the following general plan policies listed below.
LU 2.6.8 Heat Island Effect - The City shall reduce the “heat island effect” by promoting and requiring, where appropriate, such features as reflective roofing, green roofs, light-colored pavement, and urban shade trees and by reducing the unshaded extent of parking lots.
ER 3.1.2 Manage and Enhance the City’s Tree Canopy - The City shall continue to plant new trees, ensure new developments have sufficient right-of-way width for tree plantings, manage and care for all publicly owned trees, and work to retain healthy trees.
This effort is also intended to expand City policies to promote inclusive economic development and opportunities for youth.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, continuing administrative activities such as grant applications do not constitute a project and are therefore exempt from review. Any projects awarded grant funding will undergo necessary environmental review. With federal funding, programs will also need to be consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Sustainability: This grant is intended promote urban greening, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and increase resilience.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: The Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant program goals include providing equitable access to trees and green spaces and the benefits they provide and improving urban forest resilience to climate change through best management practices. The project elements identified in this report meet the objectives of the Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant program and address key City policy objectives. Securing this grant funding would support the cost-effective expansion of multiple responsibilities within the Department of Public Works, the Youth, Parks, and Community Enhancement Department, and the Office of Innovation
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
and Economic Development. Additionally, funding would accelerate implementation programs planned as part of the City’s efforts related to the Urban Forest Plan.
Financial Considerations: The grant request is estimated to be in the $3 to $5 million range. Since the project is located 100% within federally recognized disadvantaged communities, the intent is that no match funding will be required. Some construction-related activities are not eligible under this grant. The intent is to use funding contained in the Climate Action Initiatives Multi-Year Operating Project (I02002300, General Fund, Fund 1001) which includes $293,000 to support urban forestry efforts, to support this grant as necessary. In addition, some indirect costs will not be reimbursable and will need to be supported with departmental operating budgets.
If grant funding is awarded, staff will return to the City Council to accept the funding and establish the project and budget.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act funding is available to implement a wide range of eligible activities, including the following:
· Protecting, enhancing, and expanding equitable urban tree canopy cover, particularly in disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy cover and extreme heat. · Improving and increasing access to parks and nature.
· Proactive and systemic maintenance and monitoring of urban trees and formulating adaptive management strategies to improve forest resilience.
· Advancing the use of tree and forest inventories, monitoring, and assessment tools in priority areas, including monitoring and measuring extreme heat. · Improving preparation for severe storms and the recovery of damaged or deteriorated landscapes to more healthy and resilient conditions.
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
Developing paid on-the-job training opportunities, including apprenticeships to expand workforce developing pathways for green careers in urban and community forestry.
Grant match requirements can be waived if the project is 100% within federally recognized disadvantaged communities, as shown in the shaded area of the map.
Staff reviewed the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Notice of Funding Opportunity and analyzed projects against the grant requirements and the following evaluation criteria:
§ Alignment with priorities with Justice40, Congressional, State Forest Action Plan, and Ten-Year National Urban and Community Forestry Plan
o Increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental and economic (workforce) benefits in disadvantaged communities. o Broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning. o Improve resilience to climate change, pests, storm/extreme heat events through best management and maintenance practices.
§ Technical Merit
o Strategy and methodology are logical and appropriate to attain stated results. o Methodology demonstrates a high likelihood of success and long-term outcomes. o If applicable, methodology for identifying disadvantaged communities is appropriate to meet priorities.
§ Capability and Capacity
o Organization(s) (including partners) have the ability to carry out the proposed work within the grant period and meet federal grant requirements. o Key personnel (including partners/contractors) have the training opportunities, skills, expertise, and relationships required to complete the work and achieve stated results;
File ID: 2023-00632 5/30/2023 Consent Item 15.
hired personnel include union labor, living wage paying jobs. § Measurable Results and Outcomes
o Conditions are significantly improved for communities (people or places) as prioritized in Justice40, Congressional, State Forest Action Plan and Ten-Year National Urban and Community Forestry Plan.
o Increased equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental and economic (workforce) benefits in disadvantaged communities. o Broadened community engagement in local urban forest planning. Improved resilience to climate change, pests, storm/extreme heat events through best management and maintenance practices.
o Recipients will be expected to implement and demonstrate measurable progress within 12 months of the award.
§ Budget and Cost-effectiveness
o Budget and budget narrative adequately describes proposed costs. o Administrative costs are reasonable compared to other expenditures. o Costs are in proportion to project input needs and results/outcomes.
Full detail on the program is available on the website at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
2023 USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Grant Application
BACKGROUND
A. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has issued a notice of funding availability for $1 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Applications are due June 1, 2023.
B. The USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forest grant is available for investments that increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated benefits in disadvantaged communities, broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning, and improve community and urban forest resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events.
C. City staff has reviewed the guidelines, criteria, and requirements for the grant, consulted with various partners, and prepared a grant application to support the following efforts in disadvantaged communities:
• Increase tree planting and resilience in City parks and facilities • Support parking lot greening
• Develop and implement workforce development programs
• Support community engagement in tree planting and preservation efforts
D. Other organizations in the region also support urban forestry preservation and expansion efforts and intend to submit grant applications for this program. Multiple efforts by many groups and organizations are critical to advancing the region’s urban forestry goals.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit an application for the 2023 USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forest program.
Section 2. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit any and all related documents necessary to support grant applications.
Section 3. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to execute grant agreements and any related grant documents upon award by the USDA Forest Service.
Section 4. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit letters of support for urban forestry grant applications by other agencies.