DATE: JUNE 11, 2024
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, P.E, P.L.S, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BY: VICTOR SANCHEZ, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
TITLE: Sponsor agreement with the CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC) RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Sponsor Agreement between the City of Salinas and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program in the amount of $62,400 and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents pertaining to the Agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Through Resolution No. 22024, City Council approved $252,840 in State funds for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program for preparation of an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) and planting of 300 trees on City properties. Per the grant agreement, the City committed to utilize the California Conservation Corps (CCC), where possible, and if available. Staff is recommending the City of Salinas utilize the CCC to provide labor for planting of the trees committed in the grant.
BACKGROUND:
On December 8, 2020, City Council approved Resolution No. 22024 to receive $252,840 in State funds for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program for preparation of a UFMP and planting of 300 trees on City properties. The draft UFMP, which serves as a long-term road map for future planning, planting, maintenance, and tree equity of the City’s urban forest was released for a thirty-day (30) public review and comment period on October 20, 2023, and the resulting UFMP is pending CAL FIRE review.
Per the grant application, the City committed to coordinating, where possible, with the California Conservation Corps for planting of trees for completion of the grant agreement. As such, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), Monterey Bay Center, responded to the City’s request and have confirmed upon execution of an agreement. Prior to scheduling the CCC for work, a Sponsorship Agreement between CCC and the City of Salinas is required. CCC has estimated the labor for placement of approximately 300 trees to be $62,400. If the agreement is executed and the planting work is completed by the CCC, the City will have fulfilled its commitment to utilize the CCC, where possible, per the grant agreement.
Planting of the 300 trees is expected to commence upon adoption of the UFMP and completed before March 30, 2026, which is the end date of the grant performance period. 270 trees will be planted in City parks and 70 trees will be planted in residential areas. Species of trees will be selected in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the UFMP and the net greenhouse gas benefit requirements established in the grant agreement.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Statutory Exemptions. City of Salinas has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Section 15301(c) “Existing facilities”, Class1) because the project proposes to repair, maintain, and alter existing facilities. Class 1 categorically exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines states that the types of “existing facilities” include, but are not limited to, existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails and similar facilities.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the Council’s Strategic Goal of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability by providing a plan to improve the urban canopy and reduce greenhouse gases. It supports the Council’s Strategic Goal of Effective and Culturally Responsive Government by including several equity analyses that could support a citywide equity plan.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Public Works staff and Finance staff have collaborated on the funding of the Urban and Community Forest Grant Program. The Maintenance and Water, Waste, and Energy (WWE) divisions within Public Works will coordinate efforts to manage onsite tree planting activities.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funding for the Tree Planting Forest Management Plan is available and appropriated in 5800.50.9043. Additional funding was included in the FY 24-25 Proposed Budget for the purchase of trees and equipment necessary for planting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Sponsor Agreement between the City and California Conservation Corps (CCC) Page | 3
Page | 1
CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT