SUBJECT: Staff Report
Title
Town of Erie Tree Planting Initiative Program Funding for 2017
Body
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
PRESENTER: Farrell Buller, Parks & Recreation Director
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: $ 85,000
Balance Available: $ 85,000
Budget Line Item Number: 330-50-110-531040 - $30,000
330-50-110-570200 - $55,000
330-50-110-570160 - $30,000
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends allocation of the Tree Impact Fund monies to continue the support of Town tree planting initiatives.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The Tree Planting Initiative Program was established in 2005, based on a recommendation presented by the Town Tree Board, and has resulted in planting more than 6,400 new trees in Erie. The tree initiative program consists of five components: Residential, Homeowners Association Cost Share Program, local schools and non-profit organizations, Town Tree Program and the New Home Certificate Program. In 2016 a total of $83,206.31 was spent supporting these programs and the statistics (shown below) indicate how popular this program continues to be with our residents:
Ø Residential Program - 57% redemption rate with 283 of 500 certificates redeemed ($28,289.64)
Ø HOA Cost Share Program - Seven HOA participated with a total of 44 trees planted ($10,472.50)
Ø School/Non-Profit Program - No participation
Ø Town Tree Program - 120 trees planted ($18,624.50)
Ø New Home Certificate Program - 197 certificates were issued with 127 redeemed ($25,819.67)
The approved 2017 Operating Budget includes funds for the program to continue in 2017 as outlined below.
2017 Residential Tree Incentive Program - for 2017 staff is recommending that 400 certificates be issued, with a maximum program cost for all certificates not to exceed $40,000. Each certificate is valued at up to $100 toward the cost of a tree and must be planted on private residential property. This year’s certificates will be issued using a lottery. Lottery registration will take place from February 12th - 28th. Program and registration information will be available on the Town website after January 25th at: <https://www.erieco.gov/185/Tree-Incentive-Programs> .
2017 Homeowners Association (HOA) Cost-Share Reimbursement Program - 50% Town, 50% HOA cost share with a maximum expenditure for all HOAs not to exceed $12,000. This program has contributed toward the planting of more than 1,089 trees in Erie since 2005.
2017 Schools/Non-Profit Cost Share Program - 50% Town, 50% School/Non-Profit cost share, with a maximum expenditure for all approved applications not to exceed $3,000.
2017 Town Tree Program - New and replacement trees for Town maintained parks, facilities and open space not to exceed $30,000. The 2017 budget authorizes $30,000 for new and/or replacement trees to be planted on Town-owned and maintained properties. The Town has planted 1,568 trees since 2005 through this annual allocation from the Tree Impact Fund.
2017 New Home Certificate Program - Each buyer of a new home in Erie receives a $200 Tree Certificate good towards the purchase of trees at participating nurseries.
In addition to the above tree planting initiatives the Tree Impact Fund helps support the annual Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration and tree planting event. The 2017 event will be held on April 29th at Erie Community Park.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2017 Tree incentive Program Informational Flyer