Item Description:
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Neg and execute six Healthy Tree Canopy grant agmts, 08/01/26-07/31/27, total NTE $138,025
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate the following six Healthy Tree Canopy grant agreements, during the period of August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, with the total amount not to exceed $138,025:
• Agreement PR00008470 with the City of Maple Grove, NTE $13,065
• Agreement PR00008467 with the City of Crystal, NTE $50,000
• Agreement PR00008464 with the City of Brooklyn Park, NTE $45,000
• Agreement PR00008476 with Special School District No. 1, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00008474 with Independent School District 281, NTE $10,000
• Agreement PR00008473 with Independent School District 271, NTE $9,960; and
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, 2026 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.
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Background:
In 2019, the 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 (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, the county has awarded 184 grants totaling $2.95 million to improve the tree canopy.
The tree canopy is an integral part of Hennepin County’s green infrastructure and is an important asset in our response to climate change. The tree canopy faces multiple threats, including development, insects and disease, climate extremes, and poor installation and maintenance. The Climate Action Plan includes a goal to plant one million trees by 2030 through partnerships.
To better understand disparities in the tree canopy, 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 to develop a Tree Planting Prioritization Map (see Attachment 1). Planting trees in high priority areas of the county makes the tree canopy more equitable and helps 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.
The county solicited proposals in January 2026 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 evaluated 18 applications. The committee recommends 13 projects, totaling $278,761 for funding.
Board approval for the following six agreements is required because the county has agreements with these organizations that exceed $100,000. The healthy tree canopy grants are summarized below.
Cities
• Maple Grove - $13,065 to plant 155 trees across different city-owned sites
• Crystal - $50,000 to plant 72 trees in two neighborhood focus areas and to expand a gravel-bed tree nursery
• Brooklyn Park - $45,000 to remove and replace 30 ash trees
Schools
• Special School District No. 1 (Minneapolis Public Schools)- $10,000 to plant 48 trees at various schools to replace previously removed ash trees
• Independent School District 281 (Plymouth) - $10,000 to plant 88 trees and conduct tree-related education at Zachary Lane Elementary School
• Independent School District 271 (Bloomington) - $9,960 to plant 40 trees and conduct tree-related education at Olson Elementary and Middle School
In addition to the agreements approved by the county board, the following seven grants will be approved through the administrative process:
Cities
• Medicine Lake - $18,093 to update public tree inventory, plant 12 trees, and conduct six ash trees treatments
• Loretto - $40,156 to remove 26 ash trees and plant 42 trees
• Excelsior - $30,200 to remove five ash trees and plant 30 trees
• Hopkins - $30,000 to plant 100 trees around multiple neighborhoods throughout the city
Non-profits/Schools
• The Bakken (Minneapolis) - $4,633 to plant 11 trees for replacement of previously removed ash at the Bakken Museum
• Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Hopkins) - $7,654 to plant 47 trees for replacement of previously removed ash at the Church
• Independent School District 278 (Orono) - $10,000 to plant 12 trees at Orono High School for replacement of previously removed ash
Current Request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate six Healthy Tree Canopy Grant agreements in 2026 during the period of August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, with a combined total not to exceed amount of $138,025.
This request seeks approval for grantees to incur costs after August 1, with reimbursements being paid upon execution of the grant agreements.
These grants are funded by energy sales revenues received in the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
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. These projects will remove 61 ash trees and plant approximately 687 trees, update a public tree inventory, expand a gravel-bed tree nursery, and fund tree-related education in schools.
These projects will improve livability and reduce disparities by planting trees in neighborhoods throughout the county experiencing disproportionate amounts of economic, environmental, and health inequities. Nine of the 13 recommended projects will fund canopy improvements in medium and high priority tree planting areas. The grants also build capacity within cities to advance community forestry and climate action goals.
This request funds services that are: core services
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval