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Department Approval I#em Description REQUEST FOR COUNCILACTION Manager Reviewed �{.r��rf }�l . `�:� ��-� DATE: 11 /28/05 ITEM NO: 3.f Agenda Section: Acceptance of a Minnesota Re-Leaf Grant from the Department of Natural Resources BACKGROUND The Parks and Recreation Department has received a Grant for funding assistance from the 2005 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Re-Leaf Grant Program in the amount of $8, 500. The � r�� is to re-plant 35 street trees on boulevards that have lost trees in the last few years due to disease or storm damage as well as to complete an updated street tree assessment and management inventory for the entire City. The current street tree inventorywas completed in 1995 by a private consultant utilizing volunteers to collect data. The current data, while very complete and accurate at the time, has not been updated and is not available in any electronic media. The proposed new inventorywill take advantage of all current technology and will be available in an electronic format that will make it possible to maintain ongoing current records to aid the City in efforts to track and maintain Roseviile's valuable forest resource. To accomplish the inventory, a portion of the grant and the city cash match amount provides funds to purchase three tablet PC's and software to aid in the collection of field data and the inventory process. The PC's wil[ also be utilized in the future to update data in the forestry program, to create a park atlas and will also be utilized by Public Works for similar projects. Attached is copy of the acceptance letter and the grant application. POLICY OBJECTIVE This proposal is consistent with the City's Urban Forest Resource Management Goals. FINANCIAL IMPLICATION The total project amount is valued at $33,700 including the in-kind volunteer services, cash match and the grant award. The total city contribution is $25,200. Specifically the cash amount is $8500 in existing personnel expenses (for planning, coordinating, training, inspecting and data collection) and $11,700 in a new cash amount to purchase the necessary equipment and to contract for services to install the trees. In addition, resident volunteerswill provide up to $5,000 of in-kind services to assist in the collection of street tree data & wil! be coordinated by staff.