Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Department of Natural Resources for Urban Forestry Work in City Parks and Downtown
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee. However, the General Government Committee previously received an overview of this DNR work crew opportunity during a general Urban Forestry work program report on July 25, 2013.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with Department of Natural Resources for Urban Forestry Work.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter an Interlocal Agreement with Department of Natural Resources for Urban Forestry Work.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Bentley, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, Urban Forestry, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
None - consent item
Background and Analysis:
The City has once again been awarded funding from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program (DNR). The attached Interlocal Agreement provides the City with a Puget Sound Corps (PSC) crew to plant 40 to 50 street trees downtown, along main arterials and one neighborhood ROW location during the month of January 2015.
Under the Agreement, the PSC crew's work will begin the first week of January 2015, for three weeks, working four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday, each week. The value of crew work is approximately $5,000/week.
DNR will provide the following items to the City for urban forestry projects:
· News release template to assist in building public awareness and event marketing.
· Report that includes a description of the project and the work accomplished.
· Template for three-year management plan.
· Template for annual monitoring report.
The City's matching commitment for the DNR-sponsored crew includes:
· Post news releases in advance of the event.
· Acquire any permits necessary for project work.
· Dispose of removed plant material (tree roots etc.).
· Provide any and all plant materials required for project completion.
· Develop and implement a three-year maintenance plan, to include annual monitoring.
· Report monitoring results to the DNR annually for three years.
The projects are located on public property (and work performed by the crews may not replace workers already in place or contracted for).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Adjacent property owners, commercial businesses and neighborhoods have expressed a strong interest for these plantings and willingness to water the trees when possible.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with Department of Natural Resources for Urban Forestry Work.
2. Remove this item from the Consent Calendar and provide further direction to staff.
3. Do not approve the Interlocal Agreement.
Financial Impact:
There is no direct financial impact to the City. The value of the work is approximately $5,000 per week. Work will be performed in January 2015. The proposed CPD base budget includes staffing for 2015.