AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A NEW CITY GRANT TITLED, "TREE CANOPY REPLACEMENT GRANT;" ADOPTING 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 8/8/24 COMMISSION MEETING)
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BACKGROUND:
Beginning in the fall of 2023, residents and Commissioners 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. At the May 1, 2024, City Commission workshop, the Commission gave staff specific direction on the parameters of the grant. At the August 8, 2024, Commission meeting, the item was tabled citing further need for discussion, and staff was directed to review the differences between the City and Broward County Tree Preservation code language.
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 and palm replacement. The first three (3) categories apply to the replacement of one (1) to two (2) trees, which make up ninety percent (90%) of the Tree Removal Permits (TRP) received by the City. The fourth category applies to multiple tree loss (over two trees/palms) of trees listed in categories one (1) through three (3), or loss of tree canopy due to a natural disaster. Limits to the grant include a dollar amount as prescribed in the Exhibit "A," Program Guidelines.
The grant is limited to funding that is available in the Tree Trust Fund The City Commission may evaluate this annually during the budget process. The City Manager may alter the criteria and funding in times of a declared emergency.
As directed by the ...
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