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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34307RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34307 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, MERGING THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE COMMEMORATIVE TREE TRUST FUND, ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2016-29625, INTO THE TREE PRESERVATION TRUST FUND, AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CONSOLIDATE PROGRAM FUNCTIONS TO STREAMLINE TREE -RELATED FUNDING AND OPERATIONS WITHIN THE CITY'S EXISTING URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAMS MANAGED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS CONSOLIDATION AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS. WHEREAS, on November 9, 2016, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2016-29625, establishing the Commemorative Tree Program and creating the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund to allow residents and visitors to donate funds for the planting or maintenance of commemorative trees on City property; and WHEREAS, the intent of the Program was to provide a meaningful way to commemorate individuals or events while simultaneously enhancing the City's tree canopy through new plantings and supplemental maintenance; and WHEREAS, since its establishment, the Program has experienced limited public participation, with annual donation levels insufficient to sustain the administrative and operational costs associated with tree procurement, installation, long-term maintenance, and replacement; and WHEREAS, over time, the actual cost of purchasing, planting, and maintaining commemorative trees has significantly exceeded the original cost assumptions outlined in the 2016 Commission Memorandum, resulting in a recurring funding gap; and WHEREAS, consolidating the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund into the Tree Preservation Trust Fund will streamline financial management, reduce administrative overhead, and ensure that all tree -related expenditures are managed through a single, well -established funding mechanism; and WHEREAS, the City Administration recommends merging the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund with the Tree Preservation Trust Fund, transferring any remaining balance, and consolidating commemorative tree activities, if continued, under the broader umbrella of the City's urban forestry programs; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission find that such consolidation is in the best interest of the City, its residents, and its long-term urban forestry goals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund, established by Resolution No. 2016-29625, is hereby merged with the Tree Preservation Trust Fund. The City Administration is directed to transfer all remaining funds from the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund into the Tree Preservation Trust Fund. The City Administration shall consolidate all commemorative tree -related functions, if continued, within the City's existing urban forestry programs managed by the Environment and Sustainability Department. The City Manager is authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this consolidation and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. PASSED AND ADOPTED this A! day of 7TUk-e_ 2026. ATTEST: JUN 16 2026 Steven Meiner, Mayor Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE NCO Rj0KATE o; & FO UTION -rl�� COttorney ;w Date Resolutions - C7 G MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE June 24. 2026 TITLE. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, MERGING THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE COMMEMORATIVE TREE TRUST FUND. ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2016-29625, INTO THE TREE PRESERVATION TRUST FUND, AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CONSOLIDATE PROGRAM FUNCTIONS TO STREAMLINE TREE -RELATED FUNDING AND OPERATIONS WITHIN THE CITY'S EXISTING URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAMS MANAGED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS CONSOLIDATION AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE. AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS. RECOMMENDATION The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the accompanying Resolution to merge the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund into the Tree Preservation Trust Fund, consolidating all commemorative tree -related activities within the City's existing urban forestry programs. The Commemorative Tree Program will continue to be available to residents: however, the merger will streamline financial management and ensure that tree -related expenditures are administered through a single. efficient. and well -established trust fund BACKGROUND/HISTORY On November 9, 2016, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2016-29625, establishing the Commemorative Tree Program and creating the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund. The Program was designed to offer residents and visitors a meaningful opportunity to commemorate individuals, events. or milestones through the donation of funds for the planting or maintenance of trees on City property. The 2016 resolution envisioned a self-sustaining program in which donations would cover: • The purchase and installation of new commemorative trees • Maintenance of newly planted or selected existing trees • Replacement of trees, if necessary • Issuance of commemorative certificates • The Program was assigned to the Environment and Sustainability Department's Urban Forestry Division for administration. Despite promotional efforts, the program has not achieved the level of participation anticipated. Donation levels have remained low, and the number of commemorative tree requests has been minimal. As a result, the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund has not generated sufficient revenue to support the programs operational needs. 414 of 2591 ANALYSIS The Commemorative Tree Program will continue to be available to Miami Beach residents. The cost of purchasing, planting, and maintaining commemorative trees has increased substantially in comparison to the original assumptions outlined in the 2016 Commission Memorandum due to: • Higher nursery prices for quality canopy trees • Increased labor and equipment costs • Expanded maintenance requirements to ensure tree health and survival • Tree replacement costs should it be necessary Merging the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund into the Tree Preservation Trust Fund will maintain the Commemorative Tree Program while also providing benefits. It will streamline financial administration and reduce overhead associated with maintaining a separate fund. Additionally, it will ensure that all tree related expenditures are managed through a single, established funding mechanism. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT N/A Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY) If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfi.gov/city-hall/city-clerkimeetina-notices/ Does this Aaenda Item support the Strateaic Plan?: Yes If so, specify what Objective(s): Protect and enhance our natural and built environments through leading -edge resilience infrastructure initiatives and investments in support of the longevity and sustainability of our community. FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Commemorative Tree Trust Fund (128) will be merged into the Tree Preservation Trust Fund (127). CONCLUSION The Administration has reviewed the opportunity to merge the Commemorative Tree Fund with the Tree Preservation fund while keeping the Commemorative Tree Program available to residents as a meaningful opportunity to plant a tree in a City of Miami Beach park or green space area in recognition of a special individual, event, or milestone. Consolidating the funds will simplify administration and better support the program over time, merging the fund will simplify and better support the Commemorative Tree Program over time. Applicable Area 415 of 2591 Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? No Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project? No Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Environment and Sustainability Sponsors) Co-sponsor(s) Condensed Title Merge Commemorative Tree Trust Fund into Tree Preservation Trust Fund. EN Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 416 of 2591 RESOLUTION 2016-29625 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMMEMORATIVE TREE PROGRAM ("PROGRAM") AND TO CREATE A COMMEMORATIVE TREE TRUST FUND ("TRUST FUND") IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND SUBJECT TO, THE GENERAL PARAMETERS AND GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN THE COMMISSION MEMORANDUM ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION, AND SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS; AND, FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, FUNDS FROM INDIVIDUALS MAKING DONATIONS TO THE PROGRAM'S TRUST FUND FOR COMMEMORATIVE TREES ON CITY PROPERTY. WHEREAS, a Commemorative Tree Program would provide a unique way for both City of Miami Beach ('City") residents and visitors to commemorate a special event, memory, or loved one by the donation of funds which would pay for the planting and maintenance of a new tree or the maintenance of a selected existing tree on City property, and WHEREAS, the Commemorative Tree Program would serve to enhance and maintain the City's tree canopy by providing additional reforestation trees and supplemental mature tree maintenance: and WHEREAS, funds generated by the Commemorative Tree Program will be used for the planting of commemorative trees, the cost of the Commemorative Certificate, the maintenance of the newly planted or exiting selected trees, and the replacement, if needed, of the new or existing selected trees, and WHEREAS, Program participants may request a specific City site, park, or neighborhood location designated by the City for the installation a new tree or may select an existing City tree subject to space availability and Citywide urban forestry needs; and WHERAS, a commemorative certificate will be issued to each donor indicating the new tree(s) planted or the selected existing tree(s), the donation amount, and the location of the newly installed or existing selected tree, and WHEREAS, a Commemorative Tree Fund shall also be created to receive monies generated by the Commemorative Tree Program, and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach declare that it is in the interest of the citizens of Miami Beach to create a Commemorative Tree Program, which will provide funding for the planting and maintenance of new trees and the maintenance of existing selected trees on City property, and further declare that the Program will serve the public purpose of enhancing and maintaining the City's tree canopy, and WHEREAS, the Commemorative Tree Program will be managed by the City's Environment and Sustainability Department, Urban Forestry Division. 417 of 2591 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that, the Mayor and City Commission hereby authorize the City Administration to develop and implement a Commemorative Tree Program and to create a Commemorative Tree Trust Fund in accordance with, and subject to, the general parameters and guidelines set forth in the Commission Memorandum accompanying this Resolution, subject to all applicable federal, state, and local government requirements; and, further, authorize the City Manager to accept, on behalf of the City, funds from individuals making donations to the Program's Trust Fund for commemorative trees on City property. PASSED AND ADOPTED this ' day of p IV , 2016. ATTEST: yor 0( APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE &ZECITION g�cl City Attorney .Dfl, Date 418 of 2591 MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager DATE-. November 9, 2016 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMMEMORATIVE TREE PROGRAM ("PROGRAM") AND TO CREATE A COMMEMORATIVE TREE TRUST FUND ("TRUST FUND") IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND SUBJECT TO, THE GENERAL PARAMETERS AND GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN THE COMMISSION MEMORANDUM ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION, AND SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS; AND, FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, FUNDS FROM INDIVIDUALS MAKING DONATIONS TO THE PROGRAMS TRUST FUND FOR COMMEMORATIVE TREES ON CITY PROPERTY. IZLzK912TdL.� On January 30, 2015 the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee recommended the implementation of a memorial tree program. Communities across the United States have developed similar commemorative tree and adopt -a -tree programs in order for the community to participate directly in the protection and preservation the urban forest. At the direction of the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee, the City has mrrored our program on the City of Chicago's Green Deed Tree Dedication Program. ANALYSIS The Environment and Sustainability Department, Urban Forestry Division will manage the Commemorative Tree Program. The Commemorative Tree Program will allow participants to select a new tree to be added to the urban forest. The Urban Forestry Division will work with applicants to select species and locations that meet the urban forest's needs and fulfill an applicant's donation requests. The Urban Forestry Division will coordinate the Program with the City's Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, GIS Division and Greenspace Management Division to select proper site locations and species for new tree donations or existing tree selections. The cost per tree will range from $500 to $3000 for new trees and will be determined based on the species, overall height, and trunk size. These costs are based on current market rates for new tree installations which include purchase and delivery of the tree, labor for installation and bracing, establishment watering, a one-year replacement warranty and sufficient funding for a Page 147 of 906 419 of 2591 future one time tree replacement should this tree go into decline, die or be effectively destroyed. All donations made will be deposited into the Commemorative Tree Fund and will be used for administering the Program and include purchasing, installation, watering, a n d g o maimtenayce. All donations will be tax-deductible. Participants in the Commemorative Tree Program will receive an individualized certificate to include but not solely be limited to recognition of a birthday, achievement, anniversary, special occasion, memory, loved one or holiday. In addition, participants will also receive recognition on a tree commemorative plaque at City Hall in the future and recognition in the City's tree GIS database. The Commemorative Tree Program will be launched December 1, 2016, upon approval by the City Commission. As part of the Program's launch, the City will hold a tree give -a -way event in January of 2017. CONCLUSION The Administration recommends adopting the Resolution. KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED Enhance Beauty And Vibrancy Of Urban And Residential Neighborhoods; Focusing On Cleanliness, Historic Assets, In Select Neighborhoods And Redevelopment Areas Legislative Tracking Environment and Sustainability Sponsor Commissioner Joy Malakoff ATTACHMENMF)i Description o Resolution Page 148 of 906 420 of 2591