AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES FOR THE 2025 URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY CAPACITY GRANT FOR THE OAK TRAILS PARK TREE PLANTING EXPANSION PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE FUNDING.
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BACKGROUND:
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) provides matching grant funding through the Urban and Community Forestry Capacity Grant for tree planting, tree inventory, canopy assessments, and forest management projects. The program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funds for public tree canopy (tree planting) projects. The Oak Trails Park tree planting expansion project is a component of the Oak Trails Park Expansion Capital Improvement Project (CIP).
DISCUSSION:
The City is committed to smart growth, consistently supporting fiscally-responsible projects that preserve character-defining features that make Coconut Creek unique. On March 10, 2022, the City Commission approved Resolution No. 2022-048, which authorized the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Florida Communities Trust for the Forever Florida Grant Program, which awarded the City a $1,135,649.10 reimbursement grant for the acquisition of the properties adjacent to Oak Trails Park. As part of that agreement, the City committed to developing Oak Trails Park with certain amenities. Tree planting was included in the amenities portion of the agreement. On January 23, 2025, the City Commission approved Resolution No. 2025-007, which approved the Site Plan for the renovation and expansion of Oak Trails Park. The tree planting expansion project is a component of the approved Site Plan. The project includes the installation of approximately 802 native trees. The total cost of the trees is $175,140. In addition to this grant application, the City has applied for $350,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreational Trails Grant Program for the trail expansion component of the Oak Trails Park Expansion CIP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
REVENUES: $ 50,000
EXPENDITURES: $ 0
BUDGETED? Yes
NOTES: Account 65-V33486, FDEP Grant. If awarded, grant proceeds will be used to offset the cost of trees for the tree canopy enhancement requirements of the Oak Trails Park Site Plan, budgeted in Account 3971572-6898, Oak Trails Park Expansion CIP.