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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT <br /> No. <br /> November 18th, 2024 <br /> TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Tim Gleason, City Manager <br /> Jon Kindseth, Deputy City Manager <br /> Lacie Elzy, Transportation Services Director <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Purchasing Order between the City of <br /> Decatur, Illinois and Paul Tree Farms LLC For Tree Installation Contract. <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: The City of Decatur was awarded a tree grant by <br /> the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the amount of $750,000. The <br /> City's monetary match was waived due to a federal waiver provided that the trees are <br /> planted in certain areas. This grant is to fund the planting, watering, and maintenance of <br /> 1200 trees to be planted in the City of Decatur over the next 5 years. <br /> The City partnered with the Park District to apply and carry out this grant. The goal is to <br /> restore our tree canopy and the parks where we have lost trees due to disease, storms, etc. <br /> The trees can be planted on public or private property in the urban core where the tree <br /> canopy is less than the peripheral of the City. The goal is to plant an average of 250 trees <br /> in their final planting destination within the urban core. Additionally,under this grant we <br /> hope to start our own nursery of small trees that can be raised to a 1" DBH or greater, <br /> which would be transplanted to final location after this grant is closed in 2029 and beyond. <br /> Paul Tree Farms, LLC has agreed to donate 150 large trees for this project and only charge <br /> the cost of transportation and installation. The value of the donated trees is a savings of <br /> $112,850. The total cost of installation to the grant funds will be $94,000. This first batch <br /> of trees will be primarily planted on City and Park District property, while we build out <br /> more public partnerships and a private property program for next year. This grant <br /> compliments or could replace the City funded tree replacement reimbursement program <br /> during the next 5 years. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: City staff, Park District, and University of Illinois <br /> Extension arborist. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: Staff is not aware of objections. <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Should the City Council have any questions; they may contact <br /> Lacie Elzy at 217-542-3559 or lelzy(&decaturil. og_v <br />