Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate a USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant ($50,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor has been notified by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area that the City has been awarded a $50,000.00 grant to implement a targeted tree maintenance program to improve water quality and improve/enhance the urban and community forest.
One of the most important benefits trees provide to urban environments is the positive contribution they make to improving water quality. Urban trees reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff through interception, infiltration, and evapotranspiration. The City of Ann Arbor manages an urban forest of over 40,000 street trees and 6600 park trees in mowed areas. These trees intercept over 65 million gallons of stormwater annually and remove pollutants, such as fertilizer, oils, and pesticides, before they can enter local water bodies (USDA Forest Service i-Tree Streets Analysis of Ann Arbor, 2009).
The goal of the program is to initiate a pruning program targeted at the City's largest street trees (>20" diameter at breast height) to improve their condition and maximize their water quality benefits. Street trees selected for pruning through this grant (a minimum of 100) provide the greatest water quality benefits, however they require immediate pruning to maintain these benefits; without attention, they are headed for premature decline and death. It is estimated that the trees targeted for pruning intercept over 2.4 million gallons of stormwater annually. Improving their condition and increasing their life expectancy will ensure that this large volume of stormwater and nonpoint source pollution will remain out of Great Lakes Watershed helping to improve regional water quality.
This grant will fund both in-house Forestry staff and contractors to undertake the tree pruning program.
Matching funds are not required for this grant, but were provided in the grant proposal and will be available in the form of in-kind Field Operations and Systems Planning staff time and equipment and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality State Revolving Fund loan provided to the City of Ann Arbor for tree planting.
The grant funds will be available for the life of the project regardless of fiscal year. A separate multi-year grant account will be established to ensure the effective administration of this grant. The Systems Planning Unit will provide grant management services.
Staff
Prepared By: Kerry Gray, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Planning Coordinator
Reviewed By: Craig Hupy, Public Services Administrator
Approved By: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor manages an urban and community forest that intercepts over 65 million gallons of stormwater annually, improving water quality by removing pollutants such as fertilizers, oils and pesticides before they can enter local water bodies;
Whereas, the USDA Forest Service has awarded the City of Ann Arbor a $50,000.00 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant to initiate a pruning program targeted at the City's largest street trees to improve their condition and maximize their water quality benefits;
Whereas, matching funds are not required for this grant but are being provided through in-kind equipment and staff time provided by the Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Planning Coordinator and the Field Operations Forestry staff, as well as a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality State Revolving Fund loan provided to the City of Ann Arbor for tree planting;
Whereas, the Systems Planning Unit will provide grant management services for this grant;
RESOLVED, That the City accept the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant of $50,000.00;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute any grant agreement or related documents required for acceptance of the grant and receipt of the funds subject to the approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That the grant funds be appropriated to the appropriate multi-year grant fund to receive, hold, disburse and account for funds awarded pursuant to this grant and as the Financial and Administrative Services Area Administrator may determine appropriate, regardless of fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, The City Administrator be authorized and directed to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.