Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the application for a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant with no cost-share requirement. If funding is awarded, the City of Madison Streets and Urban Forestry Division is authorized to accept the grant and amend the 2024 Capital Budget to show an increase in state sources funding by $500,000 for the creation of at least two, but no more than three, apprentice positions over a period of three years. At the end of the three-year grant period, Streets anticipates funding the continuation of the program through the Urban Forestry Special Charge (non-General Fund).
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Authorizing the City of Madison’s Streets and Urban Forestry Division to apply for and accept a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for $500,000 and, if awarded, amending the Streets 2024 Capital Budget and authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign the resulting grant agreement.
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WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are being experienced more frequently across the United States; and
WHEREAS, a diverse and thriving urban forest is well-recognized as one of the tools for cities to combat the effects of climate change; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison and the Streets and Urban Forestry Division manages approximately 100,000 trees along City streets; and
WHEREAS, urban trees need regular maintenance from trained arborists to reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, a gap exists between the employer or client demand for professional arborists and individuals pursuing career pathways into arboriculture; and
WHEREAS, there is also a noticeable lack of gender and ethnic diversity within the arboriculture field; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is dedicated to developing an inclusive and diverse workforce; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change in our city through infrastructure improvements, including street trees; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison’s Streets and Urban Forestry Division is interested in obtaining an Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of developing an Arborist Apprenticeship Program; and
WHEREAS, the grant will provide funding for the creation of at least two, but not more than three apprentice positions over a period of three years; and
WHEREAS, the grant funding is in the amount of $500,000 with a no Cost-Share requirement; and
WHEREAS, the grant application form includes legal terms, obligations, and/or commitments from the City, and/or requires a signature from a person who is authorized to bind the City to such things; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison’s Urban Forestry staff can attest to the validity and veracity of the statements and representations contained in the grant application; and
WHEREAS, if awarded, the granting agency may require the City to sign a contract, grant agreement, and/or other documents binding the City to certain obligations,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Forester, after consultation with the City Attorney, is authorized, on behalf of the City, to apply for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources IRA grant and sign all application materials.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if awarded the grant, the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in a format approved by the City Attorney, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if awarded the grant, the Streets Division Adopted Capital Budget will be amended to appropriate the grant revenue and expenditures in the amount of the grant funds awarded ($500,000); and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Forester is authorized to sign related paperwork or forms associated with the administration of the grant, after consultation with the City Attorney where appropriate.