HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-12 PACKET 08.A.City of
Cotta Grove
Minnesota
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director
CC: Steve Bowe, City Forester
Date: February 16, 2012
Subject: MN DNR Community Forestry Grant Application
Introduction
The Parks and Recreation Department has been aggressively managing the ash tree population of
Cottage Grove ahead of what is considered a likely infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. The MN DNR
offers a grant program entitled the 'Community Forestry Bonding Grants' to communities who seek to
diversify the tree species within its public spaces.
Background
Park District III of Cottage Grove is the area located north of 80 Street, south of 70 Street and
between Hinton and Jamaica Avenues to the east and west. The primary parks in this area are Nina's,
North Ideal and Pine Tree Valley Park. The majority of housing development in this area took place
when ash trees were considered the best boulevard tree replacement option to the American Elm. As
such, this particular district has an unhealthy balance of ash trees in the area. The city has been
aggressively managing the ash tree concerns along the boulevards. However, the park and public
spaces still are in need of management. This grant would allow the Parks and Recreation Department,
with the City Forester as project manager, to remove as many as 25 ash trees (12 -20" girth) from the
three public park spaces in the fall of 2012. The second phase of the project would consist of
diversifying the tree stock by replanting 50 or more trees of at least 7 varied native species throughout
these spaces. This ultimately will improve the sustainability of the urban forest in these areas thus
minimizing the damaging effects of any pests or diseases in the future. The replanting effort would
likely take place in the spring of 2013 in coordination with Arbor Day to receive the assistance of
community volunteers. This will further promote the city's efforts to manage and preserve the city's
natural resources while engaging with the citizens in a manner that creates pride and understanding of
the city's objectives related to tree care.
The applied grant amount will be for $25,000 which is to cover the costs of tree removal, stump grinding
and the purchase of the new trees. There is no match portion to the grant.
Recommendation
Consider authorizing staff to apply for the MN DNR Community Forestry Bonding Grant in the amount
of $25,000.
uO LIMinnesota
IT
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES
2010 to 2014 Community Forest Bonding Grant Application
Coversheet
Please refer to the Guidelines when completing the application. This form is also available on the DNR
website: http: / /www.dnr.state.mn.us/ grants /forestmgmt/commforestbond grant/index.html
Applicant Information
Application Date: 2/16/12
Organization: City of Cottage Grove
Project coordinator: Steve Bowe
Address: 8635 W Pt Douglas Rd
Phone: office 651 - 458 -2849 cell
Fax: 651 - 458 -6080
Email: sbowe @cottage - grove.org
Additional Project Coordinators /Technical Advisors: (List names, organization /agency and phone)
Eligibility (check one): ❑✓ City [ []County ❑Park & Recreation Board in city of First Class
Has your organization received a DNR Community Forest Bonding grant? ❑✓ No ❑Yes, when?
For cities or townships only. Is your community a Tree City USA? ❑No ❑✓ Yes
Project Title: Urban Forest Diversification of Cottage Grove Public Park District III
Summary Statement — Please give a 2 -3 sentence summary of your overall project.
District III of the Cottage Grove Public Park system is a central area in the community developed in the
1970- 1980's meaning the tree stock maintains an unhealthy balance of ash trees. The city has been
aggressively managing the ash tree population along boulevards but has had limited resources to address the
public park spaces and are seeking this grant to aid in diversification of those areas. These neighborhoods and
park district are in a highly utilized and visible portion of the community thus maximizing the benefits of
diversification and minimizing the potentially damaging effects of EAB (Cottage Grove is within 15 miles of the
"Known EAB Infested Area Man ".
Project location (county, city, site): Washington Cty, Cottage Grove, Nina's /N Ideal /Pine Tree Valley Parks
Start date: 8/1/12
RudnPt Summnry
Expected completion date: 8/1/13
of Fund
$ Amount
- Type
Non -state cash contributions not req uired )
0.00
Non -state in -kind contributions not required)
1,200.00
Ash Tree Removal grant requested
10,000.00
Tree Planting grant requested
15,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS:
26,200.00
Authorization
I certify this information is valid and factual as described in this application and that all costs are eligible under the DNR Community
Forest Bonding Grant Guidelines.
Name: Steve Bowe Title: City Forester
Signature: Steve Bowe
Title City Forester
City, State, Zip Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Date signed: 2/16/12
- 1 -
Project Questions
Please answer the following questions on separate pages. Limit to 2 pages. You may reproduce these
questions on your computer. Refer to the Guidelines to better understand how projects will be evaluated.
1. Organization applying (e.g. City of Cottage Grove ) and Project Title.
2. Project Purpose —In what ways will your project meet the needs of the community forest resources? Explain
how the project will benefit and enhance the community and why you feel your project should receive funding.
3. Project Location Description— Describe the site location(s) of the project in detail along with special
characteristics such as soil composition.
4. Document Public Ownership -. Certification and /or Declaration of Bond - financed Property documents will
need to be included when the Grant Agreement is signed and returned to DNR, but are NOT required with the
project application. We do recommend including a map of the project area. See the Project Timeline section
of the Guidelines for details.
5. Project Goals —What are the project's goals and objectives for each grant category applying for? 1. Planting
for diversity, replacing trees lost to storm(s). 2. Removal and replacement of EAB- infested ash trees.
6. Methods —What will be developed, produced, performed and implemented —who will be responsible for these
activities and when will they occur? Include any educational outreach efforts, owork with volunteers, and
especially the technical plans and practices.
7. Personnel— Describe the names, titles, qualifications and project role for all staff and technical partners
involved. Describe the roles of volunteers involved and training to be provided.
8. Maintenance and Management Plan
A. Upon completion, what are your plans for long -term maintenance of trees planted, and monitoring and
management of insect and disease pests? Include how, when and by whom activities will be accomplished.
For any tree planting project, you must provide a summary of at least a 3 -year maintenance plan.*
B. What is the community doing to build capacity towards long -term management of this project or a
community forestry program independent of state funding? Describe any existing management plans.*
*Note: Please see Required Local Program Components in the Guidelines for documents that are due upon
completion of the grant project. Those documents should be included with the Final Report and Invoice form.
Tree Planting List
Only fill out this table if you are doing tree planting as part of your project. If you need additional space, an
additional sheet may be included (9 page limitj. Please refer to: Approved Native Planting Stock List
Tree Stock Source(s): Bailey Nursery, Heins Nursery, Buell's Landscaping and /or Hoffman McNamara
QTY
Species
Common & Scientific Name
Size & Type (B &B, bare
root or container -grown
5
Eastern White Pine (pinus strobus
6' B &B
5
Tamarack (larix laricina)
6' B &B
12
Swamp White Oak/White Oak (quercus bicolor /alba))
2" B &B
6
Bur Oak (quercus macrocarpa)
2" B &B
6
N Red Oak (quercus rubra)
2" B &B
8
Choke Cherry/Black Cherry (prunus virginiana /serotina)
1 1/2" Container
4
River Birch (betula nigra)
1 -2" Clump B &B
4
Ironwood (ostrya virginiana)
1 1/2" Container
50
<< Total number of trees (Use 1 additional sheet if needed)
-2-
Project Budget Breakdown
Please refer to the Guidelines for eligible and ineligible expenses. Highlighted areas are ineligible expenses.
Please attach a Budget Narrative with details of Contractual Services, Equipment and "Other" costs. (limit 1 page).
ITEM (specify type and source)
In -kind Match
Cash Match
Bonding Grant
Funds
Total
Public Ash Tree Removal Budget See "Know
EAB- Infested Areas Map" for eligible public lands.
Personnel:(No grant funds can be used for
0
Plant Stock (trees only):
grantee personnel)
0
Contractual Services: Briefly describe in
15000
15000
Grantee - owned, lease or rental equipment
Budget Narrative. (see Eligible Costs)
use. Match only. (no grant funds for
0
0
Grantee - owned, lease or rental equipment
Contractual Services: Briefly describe in
use. Match only. (no grant funds for
0
equipment use)
10000
10000
Education costs. Match only.
publications, etc)
0
Other. Briefly describe in Budget
Narrative.(see Eligible Costs in Guidelines):
0
Public Ash Tree Removal Sub Totals 10.00
10.00
0.00
0.00
Public Tree Planting Budget storms or infested
ash replace ent and planting for diversity
Personnel: :(No grant funds can be used for
grantee personnel)
0
Plant Stock (trees only):
15000
15000
Grantee - owned, lease or rental equipment
use. Match only. (no grant funds for
0
equipment use
Contractual Services: Briefly describe in
Budget Narrative. (see Eligible Costs)
10000
10000
Education costs. Match only. (workshops,
publications, etc)
0
Other. Briefly describe in Budget
Narrative.(see Eligible Costs in Guidelines):
0
Public Tree Planting Sub Totals
0.00
25,000.00 0.00
TOTALS for both project types
0.00
25,000.00 0.00
25,000.00
Must equal amounts in p.1 Budget Summary
Application Check -off:
Mail the original and 3 copies of the following:
• Completed and signed application form
• Attached pages: Answers to project questions (2 page limit), budget narrative (1 page limit), extra tree planting
list (1 page limit), and optional map (1 page limit)
Applications must be received by 4:30 pm, Friday, February 17, 2012.
Mail to:
2012 -14 Community Forest Bonding Grants
Minnesota DNR, Division of Forestry, Box 44
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155 -4044