Report Prepared by: Juan Olmos, PWM-Tax Services, Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) and West Coast Arborists, Inc., to Participate in the CIRCLE 4 Project to Plant 65 Trees in Merced as Part of CaUFC’s Grant with the California Department of Forestry (CalFIRE) to Plant 2,000 Trees on March 12, 2022
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the memorandum of understanding with CaUFC and West Coast Arborists, Inc., for CaUFC to provide 65 trees and coordinate volunteers for a planting event in Merced on March 12, 2022.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the memorandum of understanding with California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) and West Coast Arborists, Inc., to participate in the CIRCLE 4 Project on March 12, 2022; and authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200 - Powers.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Addresses Council’s priority for City beautification and trees.
DISCUSSION
The California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) is the recipient of grant funding from the California Department of Forestry (CalFIRE). CaUFC has contracted with West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA) for program management. Through the grant, and with the participation of over 30 agencies, approximately 2,000 trees will be planted on March 12, 2022 throughout the State as part of the CIRCLE 4 project and CaUFC’s “Invest from the Ground Up” campaign.
An educational workshop will also be held the day of the planting event. WCA staff will be responsible for programming the educational workshop, with the City providing a suitable location to host the workshop. City staff will also be responsible for providing suitable planting locations within a DAC (Disadvantaged Community) census tract, providing logistic support the day of the planting event, promoting the event via social media, watering the newly planted trees, and other related in-kind services. WCA will conduct a post-plant monitoring site visit and a structural tree prune one-year after the planting event. The City will be responsible for long-term care of the trees.
The City has previously partnered with CaUFC on the 2017 Tree Inventory and Management Plan CalFIRE grant. CaUFC designed the outreach materials for this grant, as well as acted as a resource in coordinating with other tree partners. West Coast Arborists was hired by the City in October 2020 for tree pruning and removal services. Through these partnerships, staff was contacted and provided information on the CIRCLE 4 project opportunity.
The City Attorney’s Office has approved as to form the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Staff recommends approval of the MOU in order for the City to receive 65 trees to be planted and for the Community to have the opportunity to participate in the educational event on March 12, 2022.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed. Trees and related planting supplies (stakes) will be provided to the City through the CalFIRE grant. City will provide minimal in-kind services, such as staff time in promoting and assisting in the planting event, as well as minimal funding to purchase and install a sign at the planting location.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum of Understanding