Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Davey Resource Group for the Street Trees - CDBG Site Assessment and Inventory 2020 Project. The contract amount is $217,500.00, with a contingency of $21,750.00, for a total of $239,250.00 authorized by this ordinance. The funding for this contract is being provided by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in accordance with the 2020 Annual Action Plan as approved by Council.
The Recreation and Parks Department is currently developing the City’s first Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP). The current public tree inventory was last completed in 1996 and current data and inventories are critical to the strategic management of City trees. The inventory will collect information on specific trees’ location, species, size, and condition while identifying viable planting locations for additional street trees. With accurate information on the public tree population and viable tree planting sites in neighborhoods, City Forestry will be able to improve tree care and plant additional street trees. The project is set to commence in October 2020 and be completed in March 2021.
Trees provide tangible benefits to Columbus residents. Tree-lined streets beautify Columbus while increasing community interaction with and access to nature. They clean our air, reduce heat, and absorb stormwater. Columbus has the 8th most intense urban heat island effect of major US cities, impacting health, energy use, and water quality. The recently published Columbus Climate Action Plan recommends planting trees as a solution. On March 4, 2020, over 135 residents attended the “Let’s Talk Trees” public open house to provide input on the Urban Forestry Master Plan. One of the ways they could provide feedback was placing dots on a map where they wanted to see trees planted. Additionally, over 300 residents responded to an online comment form, open from February 1, 202...
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