Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Environmental Permitting Division
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE agreement between Broward County and the City of Wilton Manors disbursing up to $22,501 from the Tree Preservation Trust Fund and authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute same. (Commission Districts 4 and 8)
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Why Action is Necessary
An agreement is necessary to provide for the expenditure of funds from the Tree Preservation Trust Fund.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the recommendation of the Tree Preservation Trust Fund Committee to allocate up to $22,501 to the City of Wilton Manors.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
On November 10, 2020 (Agenda Item No. 39), the Board approved an agreement between Broward County and the City of Wilton Manors disbursing up to $23,163 from the Tree Preservation Trust Fund.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This action supports the goal of “ensuring accessible, seamlessly integrated investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection.” Funding tree planting and community tree giveaway projects achieves the goal of sustainable practices by increasing the County’s tree canopy.
The City of Wilton Manors (City) submitted requests in mid-2019 and early 2020 for funding from the Tree Preservation Trust Fund (TPTF) for the purchase and installation of trees along Wilton Drive, and a tree giveaway for the calendar year 2021, respectively. An agreement for funding up to $23,163 for these two projects was approved by the Board on November 10, 2020 (Agenda Item No. 39). However, this Agreement expired on May 10, 2022, and the City had not completed the Wilton Drive project. While the tree giveaway did take place in 2021, the 2020 agreement only allowed the City to request a one-time payment once both projects were completed. The Wilton Drive project was later completed in December 2022.
In June 2023, the City requested funding from the TPTF for the completed Wilton Drive project, as well as tree giveaways completed in calendar years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on the as-built plans for the Wilton Drive projects and the documentation for the completed tree giveaways, a determination was made that $22,501 of the expenses were eligible for funding from the TPTF.
If approved, the Agreement (Exhibit 1) will provide up to $22,501 in reimbursement for the 22 trees already purchased and installed by the City along Wilton Drive and for tree giveaways completed in calendar years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The City will provide for the future maintenance of trees installed along Wilton Drive. The Wilton Manors portion of the TPTF contains approximately $77,062 in unencumbered and pre-encumbered funds (Exhibit 2). The funds were collected from contributions in lieu of tree replacement for Tree Removal Licenses issued within the City.
The Tree Preservation Trust Fund Committee has reviewed and recommended approval of this funding request. Funds will be paid to the City on a reimbursement basis pursuant to the attached agreement (Exhibit 1). The agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
David Vanlandingham, Director, Environmental Permitting Division, (954) 519-1478.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
This action will result in the expenditure of $22,501 from the Tree Preservation Trust Fund.