LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Jared Moore
SUBJECT:
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EAST PENSACOLA HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION GRANT REQUEST IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY CODE SECTION 12-6-10(C)(2).
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RECOMMENDATION:
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That City Council approve the recommendation of the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) to approve a grant request in accordance with City Code Sec. 12-6-10(c)(2) for the East Pensacola Heights Neighborhood Association. The amount recommended by the EAB is $4,268.50.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
City Code Section 12-6-10(c)(2) - Tree and Landscape Regulations; Enforcement ; Grant Program states:
(2) A grant program is hereby established for community organizations such as neighborhood associations, civic organizations, and garden clubs, according to the following criteria:
a. Each grant is limited to 50 percent of the cost of the proposed project up to $5,500.00;
b. The tree planting trust fund must have sufficient funds for the project requested;
c. Grant requests must be submitted to the environmental advisory board for review prior to consideration by the city's designated arborist and city council;
d. The city council must approve each grant request; and
e. The funds must be utilized for providing trees or other appropriate vegetation along with associated irrigation that will help restore the tree canopy as deemed appropriate by proper planting location requirements and may enhance the natural beauty of the community, serve to deter graffiti or the defacement of public or private property, and may create sound buffers where desirable.
In accordance with this section, the East Pensacola Heights Neighborhood Association (EPHNA) has submitted a grant request for the purpose of enhancing canopy restoration within the neighborhood. The total project cost submitted by the EPHNA was $ 8,537. This section limits each grant to 50% of the cost of the proposed project up to $ 5,500.00. Fifty percent of this project would be $4,268.50, which is the amount recommended by the EAB.
The properly made motion and second from the EAB reads as follows:
That the EAB make a recommendation to City Council that they consider the request made by the EPHNA with the understanding that the right tree, right place concept will be conducted in direct coordination and approved by qualified City personnel, arborist or otherwise. The EAB understands the total project cost to be $8,537. The ordinance allows for approval up to 50% of the total project cost, that equals $4,268.50.
During the discussion, the issue of planting locations was briefly addressed, Right of Way and on public property. At the end of the day, the Board felt that the resolution of these issues would fall upon the City Council, possibly after consultation with the City Attorney’s office as to the appropriateness of planting on private property that has been approved by city staff, arborist or designee.
PRIOR ACTION:
November 4, 2021 - Environmental Advisory Board heard from the East Pensacola Heights Neighborhood Association and made a recommendation to City Council.
FUNDING:
Budget: $ 4,268.50
Actual: $ 4,268.50 (Taken from the Tree Trust Fund)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Reduction in the Tree Trust Fund in the amount of $4,268.50.
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) EAB Minutes 11.4.2021
2) East Pensacola Heights Canopy Restoration and Community Building Project
3) East Pensacola Heights Tree Canopy Restoration Project
4) EPHNA EAB Presentation
PRESENTATION: No