Item Description:
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Neg and execute 17 Healthy Tree Canopy Grant agmts, periods 08/01/24-07/31/25, grand total NTE $433,923; and execute Healthy Tree Canopy Grant Agmt PR00006416 with Tree Trust, period 01/01/24-12/31/24, NTE $10,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate the following 17 Healthy Tree Canopy Grant agreements, during the period of August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025, with the grand total amount not to exceed (NTE) $433,923:
• Agreement PR00006376 with the City of Bloomington, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00006377 with the City of Brooklyn Park, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00006378 with the City of Eden Prairie, NTE $44,370
• Agreement PR00006379 with the City of Excelsior, NTE $32,540
• Agreement PR00006380 with the City of Minneapolis, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00006381 with the City of Minnetonka, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00006382 with the City of New Hope, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00006383 with the City of St. Anthony, NTE $19,858
• Agreement PR00006375 with the Boisclair Corporation, NTE $15,830
• Agreement PR00006385 with the Chelsea Mews Association, NTE $6,711
• Agreement PR00006386 with the Lake Harriet Environmental Council, NTE $4,764
• Agreement PR00006387 with St. Andrew Lutheran Church, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00006388 with The Preserve Association, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00006389 with Tree Trust, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00006390 with the Groves Learning Organization, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00006391 with Independent School District 271, NTE $9,850
• Agreement PR00006392 with the Special School District 1, NTE $10,000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the County; that costs incurred by the grantees after August 1, 2024 will be eligible for reimbursement upon the execution of the agreements; that the County Administrator be authorized to approve one 12-month extension for each agreement; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to execute a separate Healthy Tree Canopy Grant Agreement PR00006416 with Tree Trust on behalf of the County, NTE $10,000, for tree planting and education work accomplished between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
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Background:
In 2019, the county board established the Healthy Tree Canopy Grants program to provide funding to cities, affordable housing providers, schools, and non-profits to enhance the county’s tree canopy in a total not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 per calendar year (Resolution 19-0185). The goals of the grants are to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and diseases; promote the development of a more diverse, resilient, and equitable tree canopy; and support efforts to educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees. To date, 141 grants have been awarded to 27 affordable housing projects, 60 city projects, 24 school projects, and 30 non-profit projects to improve the overall tree canopy.
Emerald Ash Borer alone is expected to kill one million ash trees (approximately 15% of the county’s tree canopy) in Hennepin County. Based on experience from other states, the effects of Emerald Ash Borer are becoming overwhelming to local municipalities’ financial and staffing capabilities. This will result in the removal of trees without replacement and a corresponding decline in the tree canopy and associated benefits.
Staff completed a countywide data analysis that identified a correlation between tree canopy deficient areas and areas of disparities in air quality, health, income, and housing and developed a Tree Planting Prioritization Map (see Attachment 1). Planting trees in high priority areas of the county will help make the tree canopy more equitable and help reduce environmental, health, and economic disparities. Without proactive efforts to improve the tree canopy, the loss of trees from Emerald Ash borer will exacerbate these disparities and health risks. Ten of the projects will fund canopy improvements in medium and high priority areas. The county solicited proposals in February 2024 and conducted outreach to potential grant applicants during the request for proposal process. Staff led direct outreach efforts to affordable housing providers, schools, non-profits, and cities.
A committee of representatives from Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reviewed applications. Applications were evaluated on eligibility with grant guidelines. All applications received were able to be funded.
Funding for the grants comes from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. This request seeks approval for grantees to incur costs after the county board approval date, with reimbursements being paid upon execution of the grant agreements.
The healthy tree canopy grants are summarized below.
Cities
• Bloomington - $50,000 to create a forestry plan
• Brooklyn Park - $50,000 to update the city’s tree inventory, plant 100 trees, and conduct outreach and education
• Eden Prairie - $44,370 to treat 431 ash trees
• Excelsior - $32,540 to preserve trees, update the city’s tree inventory, remove hazardous trees, and plant 22 trees
• Minneapolis - $50,000 to develop a tree preservation ordinance
• Minnetonka - $50,000 for a tree inventory
• New Hope - $50,000 to plant 79 trees
• St. Anthony - $19,858 to remove 15 ash trees and plant 15 replacement trees
Affordable Housing
• Boisclair Corporation - $15,830 to plant 26 trees at affordable housing complexes in New Hope and Robbinsdale
Non-profits/Schools
• Groves Learning Organization - $10,000 to prepare site, plant 10 trees on school property, and conduct tree-related education in St. Louis Park
• ISD 271 - $9,850 to plant 50 trees at Poplar Bridge Elementary School in Bloomington
• Special School District 1 - $10,000 to plant 50 trees across 10 different school properties in Minneapolis
• Chelsea Mews Association - $6,711 to remove 10 ash trees and plant 10 replacement trees in Plymouth
• Lake Harriet Environment Council - $4,764 to replace invasive species by planting and maintaining 55 trees around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis
• The Preserve Association - $10,000 to remove 25 ash trees and plant 45-50 replacement trees in Eden Prairie
• St. Andrew Lutheran Church - $10,000 to plant 23 replacement trees in Eden Prairie
• Tree Trust
o $10,000 to hold educational lessons and plant 30 trees at Rush Creek Elementary School in Maple Grove
o $10,000 for work accomplished between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 to host a series of educational tree events across Hennepin County
Current Request:
This request seeks authorization to negotiate 17 Healthy Tree Canopy Grant agreements in 2024 during the period of August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025, with the combined total not to exceed amount of $433,923.
Additionally, this request seeks authorization to execute Agreement PR00006416 with the Tree Trust for work done between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 related to its 2022 Healthy Tree Canopy grant proposal and award, but which occurred after that grant period ended on December 1, 2023.
Impact/Outcomes:
The healthy tree canopy grants will promote a more diverse, resilient, and equitable tree canopy and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. They will also improve livability and reduce disparities by planting trees in neighborhoods throughout the county experiencing disproportionate amounts of economic, environmental, and health inequities.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval