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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Abby Schuler, Downtown Services Manager
DATE: 5/26/23
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,658 from the Morton Arboretum for the 2023 Chicago Region Earmark Urban and Community Forestry Support in the Chicago Region Grant Program with the City to contribute matching funds of $8,261 to improve the forest health of the downtown.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval of a grant to be used to improve the tree canopy and forest landscape and health of the downtown.
BACKGROUND:
The City continually strives to expand and improve the tree canopy downtown. The landscape of this area presents several challenges including limited open space, steep riverbanks, invasive tree species and mature trees in need of particular care.
DISCUSSION:
The grant will provide $24,658 (75%) of funding and the City will fund $8,261(25%) for a total improvement of $32,919 to the forest health of downtown. The funds will be used for the following: planting and care of 34 new trees, pruning 10 existing trees, removal of invasive species between the bike path and the river, and professional development training for all Downtown Services staff, including IAA Advanced Tree Site and Selection Certifications for the two Horticulturists. The labor costs for staff to attend training will cover and complete the required matching funds from the City.
Grant work is expected to start in July 2023 and be completed in fall 2024. The grant period runs through August 2025.
Funding for the grant will require a budget amendment of $24,658 for expenses from accounts:
101-4030-418-38-05 Contracted Services $14,369
101-4030-418-42-01 Education Training $1,500
101-4030-418-65-40 Trees $7,829
101-4030-418-61-22 Landscaping Supplies $750
101-4030-418-65-21 Mulch $210
No additional funds are needed for City matching funds. The staff will attend training during regular work hours.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution must be approved and signed to properly execute the agreement and to begin implementing the project.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request is for the approval of the Morton Arboretum grant agreement to accept the award to improve the forestry health and conditions of the downtown.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,658 from the Morton Arboretum for the 2023 Chicago Region Earmark Urban and Community Forestry Support in the Chicago Region Grant Program with the City to contribute matching funds of $8,261 to improve the forest health of the downtown.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City strives to expand and improve the tree canopy in downtown; and
WHEREAS, the City was awarded a grant that will provide $24,658 (75%) of funding and the City will fund $8,261(25%) for a total improvement of $32,919 to the forest health of downtown; and
WHEREAS, the grant will be used to plant and care for 34 new trees, prune 10 existing trees, remove invasive species between the bike path and the river and cover professional development training for all Downtown Services staff, including IAA Advanced Tree Site and Selection Certifications for two Horticulturists; and
WHEREAS, the grant will require a budget amendment of $24,658 for expenses from accounts:
101-4030-418-38-05 Contracted Services $14,369
101-4030-418-42-01 Education Training $1,500
101-4030-418-65-40 Trees $7,829
101-4030-418-61-22 Landscaping Supplies $750
101-4030-418-65-21 Mulch $210; and
WHEREAS, the labor costs for staff to attend training will cover and complete the required matching funds from the City; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City is authorized to accept a $24,658 grant from the Morton Arboretum for the 2023 Chicago Region Earmark Urban and Community Forestry Support in the Chicago Region Grant Program and contribute matching funds of $8,261 to improve the forest health of the downtown, and the Mayor and Chief Financial Officer, or their respective designees, are hereby authorized to execute the grant agreement and other relevant documents with the Morton Arboretum.