BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate the following 26 fall 2018 tree canopy improvement grant agreements, during the period of March 1, 2019 through March 1, 2020, with the grand total amount not to exceed $243,143: 

• Agreement PR00000817 with the City of Hopkins, in an amount not to exceed $5,000

• Agreement PR00000822 with the City of Orono, in an amount not to exceed $5,000

• Agreement PR00000818 with the City of Osseo, in an amount not to exceed $4,000

• Agreement PR00000816 with the City of St. Bonifacius, in an amount not to exceed $3,750

• Agreement PR00000821 with the City of Tonka Bay, in an amount not to exceed $2,000

• Agreement PR00000823 with the City of Brooklyn Park, in an amount not to exceed $33,462

• Agreement PR00000820 with the City of Champlin, in an amount not to exceed $9,996

• Agreement PR00000815 with the City of Eden Prairie, in an  amount not to exceed $30,517

• Agreement PR00000819 with the City of Robbinsdale, in an amount not to exceed $14,000

• Agreement PR00000812 with the City of Edina, in an amount not to exceed $12,400

• Agreement PR00000809 with City of Lakes Community Land Trust, in an amount not to exceed $19,200

• Agreement PR00000810 with the Newport Midwest, LLC or affiliated entity, in an amount not to exceed $20,000

• Agreement PR00000814 with RLBC Franklin Station, LLC on behalf of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians or affiliated entity, in an amount not to exceed $20,000

• Agreement PR00000811 with Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation or affiliated entity, in an amount not to exceed $20,000

• Agreement PR00000831 with Success Academy, in an amount not to exceed $4,952

• Agreement PR00000832 with Prairie Seeds Academy, In an amount not to exceed $2,105

• Agreement PR00000830 with Saint John the Baptist Catholic Montessori School or affiliated entity, in an amount not to exceed $1,880

• Agreement PR00000828 with Robbinsdale Independent School District 281 (School of Engineering and Arts), in an amount not to exceed $4,510

• Agreement PR00000829 with Osseo Independent School District 279 (Weaver Lake Elementary), in an amount not to exceed $2,599

• Agreement PR00000833 with Minneapolis Public Schools (Lucy Craft Laney School), in an amount not to exceed $4,994

• Agreement PR00000824 with Minneapolis Public Schools (Whittier International Elementary), in an amount not to exceed $3,900

• Agreement PR00000826 with Orono Public Schools (Orono High School), in an amount not to exceed $2,500

• Agreement PR00000825 with Tree Trust, in an amount not to exceed $5,000

• Agreement PR00000827 with Richfield Independent School District 280 (Richfield Public School District), in an amount not to exceed $4,766

• Agreement PR00000835 with SPARK-Y, in an amount not to exceed $1,612

• Agreement PR00000834 with YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, in an amount not to exceed $5,000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; that costs incurred by the grantees after the board approval date be eligible for reimbursement upon the execution of the agreements; that the County Administrator be authorized to approve one 12-month extension of the agreements; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.

History: The board authorized the Environment and Energy Department to offer grants to cities, affordable housing providers, schools and non-profits to enhance the county’s tree canopy, subject to final grant award approval by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, in a total not to exceed amount of $500,000 (Resolution 18-0383R1). The goals of the grants are to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and diseases; promote the development of a more diverse, resilient and equitable tree canopy; and support efforts to educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees.

Trees improve air quality by absorbing fine particulate matter and other pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff. Trees also provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, reduce stress, and increase property values.

The Emerald Ash Borer alone is expected to kill one million ash trees (approximately 15 percent of the county’s tree canopy) in the next 10 years. Based on experience from other states, the effects of Emerald Ash Borer will overwhelm local municipalities’ financial and staffing capabilities to respond to the tree loss. This will result in the removal of trees without replacement and a corresponding decline in the tree canopy and associated benefits.

In December 2017, county foresters and Geographic Information Systems staff completed a countywide data analysis that identified a correlation between tree canopy deficient areas and areas of disparities in air quality, health, income and housing. County residents in these areas are also the most vulnerable to serious health risks from extreme heat events. Staff used this analysis to create a tree planting prioritization map that factors in both environmental and demographic data to understand areas that have lower tree canopy and higher needs. Planting trees in high priority areas of the county will help make the tree canopy more equitable and help reduce environmental, health and economic disparities. Without proactive efforts to improve the tree canopy, the loss of trees from Emerald Ash borer will exacerbate these disparities and health risks. Individuals can access an interactive map or view a pdf of the map at www.hennepin.us/trees.

In October 2018, the county offered grants to assist cities with completing tree inventories followed by assistance for tree planting and other activities. Based on staff outreach efforts, only about one-third of Hennepin County municipalities have completed tree inventories, an integral part of a municipal forestry program. Grants of up to $5,000 were made available to municipalities to complete tree inventories, contingent upon a 25 percent match (Step 1 grants). Municipalities that have completed a tree inventory and have forestry staff were eligible for grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to develop tree management plans, plant and maintain trees, conduct outreach, develop gravel-bed nurseries and perform other efforts to improve the tree canopy (Step 2 grants). Municipalities were required to provide a one-to-one match for Step 2 grants to demonstrate their investment in the project and leverage additional funds.

The county also offered grants to affordable housing properties to preserve and replace existing trees or increase tree plantings beyond minimal municipal requirements. Many multifamily affordable housing properties are located within the tree planting priority areas. In an effort to address this issue, grants between $1,000 and $20,000 were made available to owners of existing affordable multifamily housing, developers of new affordable multifamily housing, and affordable housing land trusts to increase the tree canopy in these locations. A 25 percent match was required.

Grants were also made available to nonprofit organizations and schools for small scale planting projects, such as Arbor Day events.

Current Request: This request is for County Administrator authorization to negotiate 26 fall 2018 tree canopy improvement grant agreements, during the period of March 1, 2019 through March 1, 2020, with the grand total not to exceed $243,143.

Environment and Energy solicited proposals in October 2018 and conducted extensive outreach to potential grant applicants during the request for proposal process. Staff conducted two information sessions for potential applicants to provide information and answer any questions about the grants.

A committee of seven, comprised of both county and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff, reviewed 29 applications and made recommendations to fund 26 applications. Applications were evaluated on project need, capacity to expand future forestry operations, positive impacts to tree prioritization areas, and the potential for tree canopy enhancements and eligibility aligned with grant guidelines.

Funding for the grants comes from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. This request also seeks approval for grantees to incur costs after the board approval date, with reimbursements being paid upon execution of the grant agreements.

Impact/Outcomes: The tree canopy improvement grants will promote a more diverse, resilient and equitable tree canopy. The grants will:

• Fund the collection of data through tree inventories, which is critical to start responding to Emerald Ash Borer.

• Mitigate the effects of tree pests and pathogens by improving municipal forestry capacity.

• Facilitate tree canopy improvements at affordable housing developments and in other areas of need.

• Educate residents on the benefits of trees and engage them in tree planting efforts.

• Improve livability by planting trees in neighborhoods throughout the county experiencing disproportionate amounts of economic, environmental and health disparities.