Fiscal Note
If approved, the Urban Forestry Grant of $25,000 would require a 50% match. The 2009 Executive Capital Budget provides $160,000 for tree inventory work (see 2009 Parks Capital Budget, Project #16, page 98), which would more than meet the matching requirement.
GN01-54950-613100 Consulting Services
Title
To authorize the Forestry Section of the Parks Division of the City of Madison to apply for and accept a 50% matching fund grant of $25,000 under the Urban Forestry Grant Program to complete the tree inventory for the City of Madison in 2009. (Various ADs)
Body
PREAMBLE
The City of Madison Forestry Section of the Parks Division manages an extensive urban forest on Madison’s streets and parks. In 2007, the city began a project to inventory trees within the public right of ways. This tree inventory system tracks species, size and health of the trees under its jurisdiction to properly manage this important city asset. The sum of $160,000 has been requested in the 2009 Capitol Budget to complete the street tree inventory work along city streets in 2009 and will be used to offset the 50% matching fund required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the Urban Forestry Grant.
Currently, important decisions about Madison’s urban forest are based upon estimates and speculation. Capturing actual street tree data would allow us to make decisions that are more informed. Tree asset management is a comprehensive and structured approach to the long-term management of the city’s street trees as tools for the efficient and effective delivery of community benefits. The completion of the street tree inventory will provide not only citizens of Madison with information about the trees adjacent to their property but also provide information to elected officials for budgeting and planning purposes.
In addition, disease and/or insects can threaten the City’s urban forest and an accurate tree inventory provides essential information in the event of a...
Click here for full text