Agenda - Council - 09/12/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEPARTMENT OF 2023 NATURAL RESOURCES ReLeaf Community Forestry Grants Successful applicants will describe how the proposed project activities benefit these communities, how these communities will be engaged and part of the decision -making process, and will demonstrate actionable items for these communities. • Projects that maintain or increase tree canopy cover. Funding The DNR has $6,883,200 available in general fund dollars to fund projects managing forest pest and disease (with priority given to EAB) through community forestry activities on public lands and residential land for low-income residents. There is no minimum to the dollar amount applicants can request. The maximum amount that will be funded is $500,000. Funding will be allocated through a competitive grant process with review by a committee representing content and community specialists with regional knowledge. DNR expects to contact selected grantees by October 16, 2023. If selected, grantees may only incur eligible expenditures after the grant contract is fully executed and the grant has reached its effective date. Match Requirements and Explanation No matching funds are required and submitting match as part of your application is not recommended. If match is provided, it cannot come from other grants or monies from the State of Minnesota. There are two kinds of match funding, cash match and in -kind match. A cash match is a direct project expense provided by a grantee as a contribution to the project; i.e., cash expenditures for costs related to the specific project. This can include project -related staff salaries if they are dedicated to the project, consultant's fees or contractor expenses, equipment rentals and travel costs. In -kind match funds are materials and services, salaries and wages (including fringe benefits) being used that are not project- dedicated, space or utilities, equipment and/or technical assistance provided by the grantee or donated by a third party specifically for the project. All contributions, whether cash or in -kind, will be accepted as the grantee's matching funds when those contributions meet the following criteria: 1. Are verifiable from the grantee's records; 2. Are not included as matching contributions for any other project, contract or program; 3. Are necessary and reasonable for accomplishing grant objectives; and 4. Are incurred and contributed within the grant period (not before the contract is fully executed,or after the grant timeline ends). Minimum Requirements Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be considered for this grant opportunity. Minimum requirements are: • Local units of government must adopt an urban and community forest management plan through this grant process if the community does not yet have one in place. • Showing the ability to implement the project, meet all grant objectives, and submit a final report by June 30, 2027. • Replanting a minimum of one tree for each tree removed through grant or match funds. • Providing photo documentation of the project's progress at appropriate phases, and illustrations, diagrams, charts, graphs, and maps to show results. All trees removed and planted must be mapped and submitted. • Publicly posting and promoting grant project information and purpose. Page 3 of 9 July 2023