Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 08/21/2023

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Board Member Heffner asked the average grant award amount. Senior Planner Anderson replied that the maximum grant award is $500,000. He commented that there is not a grant minimum. Board Member Vikander asked if a plan would be written as to how the funds would be spent if this is approved by the Board and the City Council. Senior Planner Anderson confirmed that would be part of the grant application. Board Member Vikander asked if that plan would be brought back for review. Senior Planner Anderson replied that the grant deadline occurs prior to the next Board meeting. He stated that he could send out a copy of the plan once completed if the Board is interested in reviewing the document. Councilmember Woestehoff noted the mention of right-of-way and asked if the intention would be to handle trees that are within the right-of-way as that would also assist property owners. Senior Planner Anderson confirmed that trees within the right-of-way are the responsibility of the City and therefore these funds could be used to manage the trees within those corridors. Councilmember Woestehoff referenced the 20/10/5 formula mentioned in one of the applications and asked how the City compares to that currently. Senior Planner Anderson replied that is not specific to City land and applies to the overall makeup of the city. He noted that three species that would not be eligible for purchase with grant funds. He commented that the state is encouraging some species for a trial because of the warmer climate that has been experienced. He noted that if those trees do well, the City could incorporate those into the preferred tree list. Board Member Vikander asked if the City would be requesting the maximum grant amount or whether that amount is yet to be determined. Senior Planner Anderson replied that he would not want to request more than could be accomplished. He noted that once the plan is developed, he would have the target amount but did not believe it would be close to $500,000. Motion by Board Member Bernard and seconded by Board Member Vikander to recommend that City Council support staff preparing and submitting applications for both grant programs. Further discussion: Board Member Salami stated that he would like to see the City experience the benefit of the grant funds and is interested to see the plan in more detail. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Moore, Board Member Bernard, Vikander, Hagerty, Heffner, and Salami. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Fetterley. Environmental Policy Board / August 21, 2023 Page 4 of 5