2024/09/11 Council Agenda Packet

City Council Agenda Item Cover Sheet Project title: Snohomish Conservation District Federal Cost-Reimbursable Subaward Agreement for Growing Urban Forests in Everett Council Bill # interoffice use Project: Growing Urban Forests in Everett Partner/Supplier: Snohomish Conservation District (SCD) Location: 6 Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Census Blocks (CEJST) Preceding action: None Fund: Fund 101 Agenda dates requested: Briefing Proposed action Consent 09/11/24 Action Ordinance Public hearing Yes X No Budget amendment: Yes X No PowerPoint presentation: Yes X No Attachments: Subaward Agreement Department(s) involved: Parks & Facilities Administration Legal Contact person: Bob Leonard Phone number: 425-257-8335 Email: bleonard@everettwa.gov Initialed by: RML Department head Administration Council President Fiscal summary statement: This subaward grant is for $967,493. It is a reimbursable grant to fund the hiring of a new Community Engagement Coordinator who will support the work outlined within the grant, as well as reimburse the city for half of the salary and benefits of the existing Urban Forester in the Parks Department. Funds will flow through Parks Fund 101 and then be reimbursed quarterly by Snohomish Conservation District. Project summary statement: In partnership with the City of Everett, Tulalip Tribes, and the City of Marysville, Snohomish Conservation District successfully applied for a grant worth $2.4 million through the Inflation Reduction Act for growing urban forests in qualified CEJST census blocks. Everett has 6 qualifying census blocks, 2 in north Everett and 4 in south Everett and will receive $967,493 to reimburse staff costs for the project (details above). Snohomish Conservation District will work with City of Everett staff and neighborhoods to determine appropriate planting areas on both public and private property, appropriate trees for the available space, and then plant and maintain the trees over the next 4.5 years. Urban forest canopy provides ecosystem services ranging from stormwater management and pollutant mitigation to improve human health and climate resiliency. Often, the urban forest canopy is distributed inequitably between underserved areas and more affluent areas. The Snohomish Conservation District (SCD) proposes to collaborate with the Cities of Everett and Marysville and the Tulalip Tribes to substantially improve tree equity. SCD will work with partners and communities to develop urban forest management, monitoring, and maintenance plans. Plan implementation will add 7,000 trees and provide for long-term maintenance of urban tree canopies in disadvantaged communities within each partner’s jurisdiction. Recommendation (exact action requested of Council): Authorize the Mayor to sign the Snohomish Conservation District federal cost-reimbursable subaward Agreement for growing urban forests in Everett.