AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A NEW TREE CANOPY REPLACEMENT GRANT PROGRAM AND ADOPTING THE TREE CANOPY REPLACEMENT GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES, ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF AS EXHIBIT "A;" AND AUTHORIZING FUNDING FROM THE TREE PRESERVATION TRUST FUND FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION. (TABLED FROM 3/14/24 COMMISSION MEETING)
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BACKGROUND:
In the Fall of 2023 and since the beginning of 2024, residents and Commissioners have voiced concerns over costs associated with tree canopy replacement in light of increased homeownership costs in South Florida. At the request of the City Commission, staff prepared language for a Tree Canopy Replacement Grant to cover a portion of the costs associated with canopy replacement due to a variety of circumstances, which was presented for the Commission's consideration at the March 14, 2024, City Commission Meeting. The City Commission tabled the item to allow time for an in-depth discussion, which took place at the May 1, 2024, Commission workshop. Staff has since incorporated the Commission's direction on the parameters of the grant into the updated Tree Canopy Replacement Grant Program Guidelines.
DISCUSSION:
Tree canopy replacement is vital for our community as we combat greenhouse gasses (GHG) and ever-increasing temperatures. The new grant provides four (4) categories to cover tree canopy and palm replacement. The first three (3) categories are meant for no more than two (2) trees, which make up ninety percent (90%) of the Tree Removal Permits (TRP) received. The fourth category applies to mass loss of tree canopy due to a natural disaster or mass loss (over two trees/palms) from categories one (1) through three (3). Limits to the grant include a dollar amount as prescribed in the attached program guidelines.
The grant is limited to funding at the will of the Commission and will be evaluated each year in the regular budget process. The City Manager may alter the criteria and funding in times o...
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