Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Urban Canopy Works for professional services associated with the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $45,000.00.
On April 14, 2021, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission voted in support of the Urban Forestry Master Plan and its immediate implementation. On April 26, 2021, Columbus City Council passed a resolution to support the Urban Forestry Master Plan and its immediate implementation. By modifying this contract with Urban Canopy Works, one of the consultants leading the project, the City will have access to the technical expertise needed in the first 12 months of implementation. The fee was developed by determining the level of effort and using already established contracted hourly rates.
The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan is the first citywide strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Over the next decades, the UFMP will guide the entire Columbus community to prioritize, preserve, and grow our tree canopy. Tree canopy refers to the part of a city that is shaded by trees. Canopy cover is the percentage of the city that is covered by trees when viewed from above, as opposed to other land cover like water, open green space, hard surfaces, and bare soil. In Columbus, 22% of the city is currently covered by trees.
Trees are part of the solution to many challenges that the City of Columbus faces today and in the future. Trees help reduce urban stressors, cleaning our air, providing shade, intercepting stormwater, and more. The benefits urban trees provide is valued up to five times what it costs to maintain them. In Columbus, our trees provide an estimated 38 million dollars in benefits each year. However, our tree canopy is vulnerable to threats from disease, pests, the changing climate, and increased development. The city is expec...
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