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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Julie Frankino, Grant Writer
DATE: May 30, 2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant award of $1,000,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry Grant to improve the city's urban forest in USDA-approved disadvantaged areas
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval of a grant to improve the city's urban forest.
BACKGROUND:
The USDA Forest Service offered a competitive funding opportunity to provide multiyear, programmatic grants for tree planting and related activities, including tree inventories, with a priority for projects working to support disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice concerns to advance the mission of the federal Justice40 initiative.
DISCUSSION:
This grant will provide $1,000,000 in federal funding over five years, provided on a reimbursement basis, to conduct a variety of activities designed to improve the city's urban forest including, but not limited to: conducting a tree inventory, developing an urban forest management plan, planting new trees, educating residents and youth about trees, and garnering input from affected neighborhoods. As a result of this project, the city is expected to benefit from this project by achieving an increased tree canopy, improved tree health, and enhanced tree stewardship practices to safeguard the long-term health of Aurora's urban forest. The city is not required to provide any matching funds for this project.
The revenue accounts for this project will be 101-4060-331-10-89 (Streets), 101-1402-331-10-89 (Community Affairs), and 101-1370-331-10-89 (Youth) and the expense accounts will be 101-4060-431-53-41 (Streets - Grant Forestry), 101-1402-419-53-41 (Community Affairs - Grant Forestry), and 101-1370-440-53-41 (Youth - Grants Forestry).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution must be approved and signed to beg...
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