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96-22151 RESO RESOLUTION NO. 96-22151 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION (AFTER THE FACT) OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH FOR ENHANCING THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINED COMPREHENSIVE TREE CARE PROGRAM, IMPROVING UPON, AND RECOGNIZING THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HAS AN ESTABLISHED TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, AND ENHANCING THE TECHNICAL SKILLS OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY I S REFORESTATION PROGRAM, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS, IF THE GRANT IS APPROVED. WHEREAS, the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has authorized local municipalities to provide cost-share funds to the State for the purpose of State reforestation efforts; and WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in this program; and WHEREAS, participation in this grant program would further beautify and thereby improve the quality of life in the community. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: 1. That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to make appropriate application to the State of Florida, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and execute a grant in the amount available to the City of Miami Beach, under Federal Register, the State of Florida Request for Proposal, Contractual Services Acknowledgement, which provides the criteria for such projects, for the State Fiscal Year 1996-97. 2. That all materials and funds necessary to meet the contract obligations of the City and its delegate agencies with the Department shall be appropriated, and said funds will be unexpended and unencumbered and will be available for payment as prescribed in the grant, if awarded. The City shall be responsible for such funds and materials for the local share. 3. That the Mayor and the City Clerk are further authorized and directed to execute and deliver, for and on behalf of the City of Miami Beach, any required Agreement with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, setting forth the City's commitment to meet and comply with all the terms of the provisions of such grant, when and if made available. PASSED AND ADOPTED this ATTEST: -RoG.t.t r f~ CITY CLERK B:\RES01996 I VI 11',U.c.U L[C.i~ By ~ . . ~ '" J2jVCJf_. CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139 COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. ~ TO: Mayor Seymour Gelber and Members of the City Commission DATE: FROM: Jose Garcia-Pedrosa City Manager October 9, 1996 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE SUBMISSION (AFTER THE FACT) OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH FOR ENHANCING THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINED COMPREHENSIVE TREE CARE PROGRAM, IMPROVING UPON AND RECOGNIZING THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HAS AN ESTABLISHED TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AND ENHANCING THE TECHNICAL SKILLS OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED '-IN THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY I S REFORESTATION PROGRAM. AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS, IF THE GRANT IS APPROVED. Administration Recommendation To approve the Resolution. Backqround Funds appropriated to Cities for reforestation efforts are provided through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Proposals and are administered through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in, Tallahassee. The National Association of State Foresters has worked closely with members of Congress, national conservation organizations and its federal partner, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, to provide for adequate urban and community forestry funding. The National AGENDA ITEM Q.. 1 A DATE lO-9Bl, Association of State Foresters has been responsible for a national Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) policy and progressive action to manage and replant our nation's community forests. This Urban and Comttuni ty Forestry Grant Proposal could provide Miami Beach grant funds up to a $20,000 grant which must be matched equally with in-kind services by the recipient, for a total project budget of $40,000. Analysis Within this decade the City of Miami Beach has planted over 10,000 trees. The City has also begun a Master Tree Plan as a guide, which proposes the planting of trees on streets throughout the City. Through various means, both public and private, the forestation efforts are expanding exponentially. Accordingly, as the 'City's tree inventory grows, it is critical to have a competent work force to care for and maintain the inventory. The extended inventory is becoming horticulturally diverse and more complex in its makeup. Soils, pests, utilities, City infrastructure, nutrient deficiencies and storm damage are but a few of the items that challenge the efforts to maintain a municipal tree inventory. The City has identified the need to more extensively train its personnel in all aspects of arborist practices. Because of budgetary considerations, the City lacks the resources necessary to develop and implement such a program. The City is respectfully requesting a grant in the amount of $20,000 via the Florida Urban Forestry Program, to hire a consultant who is a registered professional in the field and who will establish a training program which will encompass all aspects of arborist practices. The in-kind matching funds and cash amounts have been pre determined to be available through the budget of Parks, Culture and Recreation. The budget sheet from the submitted grant is attached for review. Conclusion The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the attached Resolution giving after the fact approval to the City administration for submission of this grant application. Furthermore I if the grant is approved by the state, that a City match of in kind services from Parks, Culture and Recreation, will be appropriated. This action will help establish the fact that there is a department in Miami Beach officially charged with the responsibility of care and maintenance of the City tree inventory. This will strengthen the City's case when documentation is presented for review to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for consideration to be indoctrinated as a Tree City USA, prior to the deadline of December 31, 1996. Due to Commission recess research not thoroughly Administration requests approval for this item. at the time of application, as well as completed prior to said recess, the the Commission grant after-the-fact ~P/DJG/~/KS/CB