TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Urban and Community Forestry California Climate Investments Grant Program, for urban and community forestry programs in the City; accept said grant, if awarded, in an amount up to $1,260,633 funded by the California Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund; and, execute all documents necessary to accept the funds and implement the programs. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The State of California has enacted the California Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which provides funds for urban and community forestry programs that reduce greenhouse gasses.
The State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the programs, including the establishment of program parameters and application procedures. CAL FIRE has established the Fire Protection Urban and Community Forestry California Climate Investments Grant Program (CCI), which works to optimize the benefits of trees and related vegetation through multiple-objective proposals that result in a net greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit. Co-benefits of projects include increased water supply, clean air and water, reduced energy use, flood and storm water management, recreation, urban revitalization, and improved public health. Projects may provide a combination of these and other co-benefits. Urban and Community Forestry efforts play a significant role in meeting the State’s GHG emission reduction targets. CAL FIRE encourages resident participation in the development and implementation of each project.
The initial phase of the application process requires agencies to submit a Concept Proposal. If the Concept Proposal is accepted, CAL FIRE will invite applicants to submit a Project Application. A Concept Proposal Application for CCI grant funds was submitted to CAL FIRE on February 26, 2018. The City has been selected as a finalist, and has been invited to submit a Project Application.
The City’s proposed project includes the planting of 3,600 street trees, 400 fruit trees, the installation of 435 sidewalk cuts, 60 bioswales, and a bioswale median demonstration project; 50 fruit trees will be planted in an orchard in Willow Springs Park and the remaining 350 fruit trees will be planted in Long Beach residents’ front yards. Irrigation will be installed for the orchard, and trees will be planted with the help of volunteers. The bioswales and sidewalk cuts will be constructed by a contractor selected by the Department of Public Works.
A minimum of 75 percent of the appropriation for this grant must be expended on projects within the Cap and Trade Investment Areas, as shown in four categories on the attached map (Attachment A). Expenditures in these areas will be further targeted within designated Place Based Neighborhood Improvement Strategy Areas and Racially/Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (R/ECAP) (Attachment B). The remaining 25 percent may be spent citywide.
The proposed grant will be overseen by the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau. The Office of Sustainability and Department of Public Works will have limited roles in implementing portions of the proposed project.
This mater was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on April 18, 2018 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on April 25, 2018.
SUSTAINABILITY
CAL FIRE requires that funded projects demonstrate that they will achieve and maintain a net reduction in GHG emissions, and projects must contain a tree planting element. Projects must be sustained at least until a net GHG benefit is realized and maintained for ten years. The City’s proposed project will result in a net GHG benefit of 6,499 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 15, 2018, to meet the grant application deadline of May 30, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the Urban and Community Forestry California Climate Investments Grant Program. If awarded, the grant will offset costs of tree plantings, bioswales and sidewalks cuts intended to reduce greenhouse gases. The grant requires a 25 percent cost-share (match), which may be met with in-kind activities. This match requirement will be met using volunteer hours and staff time, materials and supplies from similar, existing programs in the Office of Sustainability and the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau.
The Development Services Department has identified more than $1.6 million of in-kind activities and projects that meet and exceed the cost-share requirement. Included in the cost-share are the 600 street trees that will be planted and the 11,989 tons of mulch from the waste stream that the Office of Sustainability will be contributing through existing programs. Additionally, the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau will plant 2,500 trees as a match for this grant utilizing the Port of Long Beach-funded “I Dig Long Beach - 6,000 Trees by 2020” Grant. The Community Development Block Grant Urban Forestry funds will also contribute to the cost-share by helping to plant, maintain, care for, and replace trees planted in eligible areas.
Volunteer hours will contribute to the City’s cost-share through approximately 50 monthly neighborhood tree planting and tree care events. Volunteers will include members of neighborhood associations, community groups, schools, churches, and other residents.
Should the grant proposal be selected for funding, the Development Service Department would return to the City Council for an appropriation increase at a future date. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
LINDA F. TATUM, FAICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER