TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: John Ristow
SUBJECT: Agreement with San Jose
Conservation Corps for
Urban Forestry Services
DATE: July 20, 2026
Approved
Date:
7/29/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute an agreement with San Jose Conservation Corps for urban forestry services for a term ending on December 31, 2028, with a total combined not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
Approval will allow the City of San José to negotiate and execute an agreement through which the City can partner with San Jose Conservation Corps (SJCC) for urban forestry services.
BACKGROUND
In September 2023, the Department of Transportation was awarded $5.6 million in grant funding from the United States Forest Service for the San José Community Forest Investment Project (Project). The grant allocates funding to work with SJCC to plant and establish approximately 2,800 trees in low canopy coverage areas through December 31, 2028. SJCC was selected for the Project because of its non-profit job training model of service, which provides professional development opportunities for youth with no prior workforce experience, aligning with the Project goal of benefiting disadvantaged communities.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 8/11/26
FILE: 26-830
ITEM: 2.22
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: Agreement with San Jose Conservation Corps for Urban Forestry Services
ANALYSIS
In 2024, the City adopted Resolution No. RES2024-101 authorizing the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute a grant agreement with the United States Forest Service for the Project. The grant application and subsequent grant award stipulate that the City is to partner with SJCC for the Project.
The Project is expected to result in a significant positive environmental justice and health equity impact with communities that are documented to have the lowest tree canopy cover and health equity metrics, as the Project funding is specifically allocated for use in these areas. SJCC will provide valuable urban forestry training to its members regarding tree planting, mulching, staking, watering, and young tree structural pruning, which they can apply to future job opportunities.
Climate Smart San José Analysis
The recommendation in this memorandum aligns with multiple goals in the Climate Smart San José and Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan by facilitating the reduction of energy use consumption, sequestering carbon, reducing urban heat, and facilitating job creation within city limits.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
The Department of Transportation will provide ongoing evaluation of the partnership and agreement with SJCC and provide periodic reports regarding urban forestry topics to the Transportation and Environment Committee.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The total recommended amount of $1,500,000 is composed of the allotted amount over the course of the Project period to spend with SJCC ($1,392,000) and an 8% contingency ($108,000) in the case that the funding allotment is extended. It is estimated that $464,000 will be spent with SJCC for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: Agreement with San Jose Conservation Corps for Urban Forestry Services
BUDGET REFERENCE
The table below identifies the fund and appropriations to fund the contract recommended as part of this memorandum.
Fund
#
Appn.
# Appropriation Name Total Appropriation
Amount
for
Contract
2026-2027
Proposed
Operating
Budget
Page*
Last Budget
Action (Date,
Ord. No.)
001 229Q Inflation Reduction
Act – Urban
Forestry Grant
(Transportation)
$1,762,686 $464,000 811 6/16/2026
31336
*The 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget was released on May 2, 2026, reviewed by the City Council on June 9, 2026, and adopted on June 16, 2026.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department, and the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the August 11, 2026 City Council meeting.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Categorically Exempt, File No. ER24-086, CEQA Guideline Section 15301(h) Existing Facilities.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 20, 2026
Subject: Agreement with San Jose Conservation Corps for Urban Forestry Services
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
John Ristow
Director, Transportation
For questions, please contact Jennifer Seguin, Deputy Director of Transportation, at [email protected] or (408) 794-6453.