HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-139APRIL 27, 2010
10 -139 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE TRANSFER OF $25,000.00 TO THE OSHKOSH
AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE "TAKING
ROOT" PROGRAM
INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the City and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation have
developed the "Taking Root" program, an initiative to improve public spaces beginning
in the spring of 2010 with the planting of approximately 1,000 trees along streets with
recently completed street improvements and in park areas with limited tree inventory;
and
WHEREAS, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Board has approved a
$150,000.00 grant from the John E. Kuenzl Foundation, Inc., towards the establishment
of the "Taking Root" program and is soliciting matching funds from donors, and
WHEREAS, the City has budgeted $25,000.00 in the 2010 Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) budget for the "Taking Root" program and anticipates budgeting
additional amounts in future CIP budgets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the appropriate city officials and staff are hereby authorized and directed
to work together with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and other partners in
the "Taking Root" program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper city officials are hereby authorized
and directed to transfer the sum of Twenty -five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) from
Account Number 323 - 0620 - 7216- 06019, the Property Improvements /City Tree Planting
Program, to the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for the purpose of supporting the
"Taking Root" program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper city officials are hereby authorized
and directed to transfer additional sums as may be included in future Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for the "Taking Root" program to the Oshkosh
Area Community Foundation.
City of Oshkosh
Parks Department
805 Witzel Ave., PO Box 1130 Ray Maurer
Oshkosh, WI 54903 -1130 Director
OlHKOIH (920) 236 -5080 (920) 232 -5316 FAX
ON 1HE WATER
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director
DATE: April 21, 2010
RE: Taking Root Tree Planting Funds
BACKGROUND
In 2009, a city -wide visioning survey reported overwhelming public support for community
beautification. Over 2,300 survey respondents indicated that they wanted to live in a community with
more trees and landscaping, both for aesthetic and environmental reasons. The Common Council
appropriated $25,000 in the 2010 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for a cooperative tree planting
effort with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and an additional $25,000 for the next five years
in the CIP if matching funds were secured.
Earlier this year, the City of Oshkosh Parks Department and Oshkosh Area Community Foundation
announced the Taking Root campaign, an urban forestry initiative that will plant 2,000 trees in Oshkosh
over the.next two years.
ANALYSIS
In listening to the community feedback, the City of Oshkosh Parks Department and Oshkosh Area
Community Foundation decided to take action. Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, with input from
Parks Department staff, contracted Ranger Services of Appleton to develop a community -wide tree
planting project. With Ranger Services' input, city staff and the Foundation determined $500,000 of
public and private funds were needed to make the project a reality. Over $340,000 has already been
raised for this effort.
The first phase of the project began in April as 1,000 trees were planted throughout the community.
Planting sites were selected by the City of Oshkosh Parks Department and Ranger Services based on
available tree inventory, and planned infrastructure and street improvements. Nurseries and landscapers
were contracted by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation following a competitive bidding process.
It is anticipated another 1,000 trees will be planted next year.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact in 2010 to the City is the $25,000 that was budgeted in the 2010 CIP. Funding for this
project would be charged to the Property Improvements /City Tree Planting Program account number
323- 0620 - 7216 - 06019.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Common Council authorize the transfer of $25,000 to the Oshkosh Area Community
Foundation for the Taking Root project.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
ay N7aurer
Parks Director City Manager