Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Application to Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program to Conduct a Tree Canopy Assessment
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Washington Department of Natural Resources - Urban and Community Forestry Program to conduct a City of Olympia tree canopy assessment.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Washington Department of Natural Resources - Urban and Community Forestry Program to conduct a City of Olympia tree canopy assessment.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Environmental Habitat Planner, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.522.3143
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Section PL7.4 of the Comprehensive Plan describes a goal to “Increase the area of urban green space and tree canopy within each neighborhood proportionate to increased population in that neighborhood.” Furthermore, Community Values and Vision for the Natural Environment include “a dense tree canopy that will beautify our downtown and neighborhoods, and improve the health, environmental quality, and economy of our city.”
A comprehensive assessment will provide baseline tree canopy conditions to help us understand the current distribution of trees across the city. This geospatial data will be analyzed relative to other important public health, economic and environmental considerations, and may be utilized across City departments. A tree canopy assessment will enable City staff to set and monitor specific targets to make sure both the benefits and challenges of urban trees are distributed equitably across neighborhoods and communities.
The City will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and utilize the grant funding to enter into a professional services agreement with the selected consultant for the data acquisition and analysis needed to complete the Tree Canopy Assessment. The Thurston County Planning Department will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Olympia documenting the County’s commitment to providing geospatial raw data (2021 Lidar imagery) and up to $15,000 of grant-required match funds, in the form of staff hours, volunteer hours, or cash; in exchange for access to data generated by the county-wide land cover analysis.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community has expressed interest in strengthening tree protection regulations. There is also interest in the role of urban trees for climate adaptation and mitigation, and a related desire for the City to set specific goals for protecting and increasing the tree canopy.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application with the Washington Department of Natural Resources - Urban and Community Forestry Program to conduct a City of Olympia Tree Canopy Assessment.
2. Modify the Resolution and grant application by decreasing the amount of grant funds sought, which will reduce the scope of the project limiting future analysis and action plans.
3. Don’t approve the Resolution, making the tree canopy assessment unfeasible at this time.
Financial Impact:
A $40,000 grant from the Washington DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program would be the primary funding source
Staff from Community Planning and Development - Urban Forestry and Public Works - Environmental Services will provide project development and deliverables.
Attachments:
Resolution
Grant Guidelines