Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of the Business Administrator
Action: (X) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Application and Agreements for NJ Forest Service Funds
Purpose: Application/Acceptance with NJ Forest Service Leafing Out Grant (Program Year 2024-2028)
Entity Name: The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/NJ Forest Service
Entity Address: 501 East State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420
Total Grant Amount: $862,500.00
Funding Source: The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/NJ Forest Service
Grant Period: May 1, 2024 through April 26, 2028
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale (X) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
Additional Information:
Detailed allocation:
Leafing Out Management Grant ($850,000.00)
Leafing Out Education Grant ($12,500.00)
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WHEREAS, the New Jersey Forest Service promotes the resilience of New Jersey’s forests and their interdependent natural systems in the face of societal needs and a climate crisis that demands urgent and decisive action; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Newark and the Municipal Council are dedicated to promoting a healthy tree canopy in Newark; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program (NJUCF) Leafing Out Management and Education Grants seeks to encourage, promote, and support the stewardship and effective management of trees and forest ecosystems in fifty-five (55) preselected New Jersey communities through both technical and financial assistance to help establish, grow, and maintain a healthy urban and community forest. These four (4) year grants give communities the tools to start, plan, and advance a strong, self-sustainable forestry program that will enhance the quality of life for your citizens and all New Jerseyans; and
WHEREAS, the Leafing Out Grants will help the City of Newark (the “City”) plant and maintain trees in addition to complete a tree inventory that will enable the City to create a Community Forest Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Community Forest Management Plan is a requirement for accreditation with the NJ Forest Service and creates the foundation for shade tree policy formation in the City; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Department of Administration, Office of Sustainability coordinated the preparation of the grant application for the Leafing Out Grants-Management and Education; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator caused to be submitted the applications for the Leafing Out Management and Education Grants; and
WHEREAS, as a result of submitting the 2024 grant application for the Leafing Out grants, the City was awarded Eight Hundred Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($850,000.00) for the management grant and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($12,500.00) for the education grant; both grants total Eight Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($862,500.00), for the education grant; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator wish to accept the grant award and did execute and submit a grant agreement governing said award; and
WHEREAS, no matching Municipal funds are required for acceptance of the grant award; and
WHEREAS, no commitment of City resources or staff is required for acceptance of the grant award; and
WHEREAS, the grant funds will only be used to maintain already existing services, and will not be used to create a new service or to expand an existing service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, are hereby authorized to submit the 2024 grant application for the Leafing Out Grants was awarded Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($850,000.00) for the management grant and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($12,500.00) for the education grant; both grants total Eight Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($862,500.00).
2. The Municipal Council hereby ratifies its authorization of the submission of the 2024 Leafing Out Management and Education Grants from the date of its submission to the date of adoption of this authorizing Resolution.
3. The above-described grant award in the total amount of Eight Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($862,500.00), from the NJ Forest Service, is hereby accepted (copies of the Leafing Out Management and Education Grants proposals and award letters are attached hereto and made a part hereof).
4. The Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, are hereby authorized to enter into and execute such grant documents and agreements with NJ Forest Service as may be necessary to receive the above-described grant funds.
5. The Municipal Council hereby ratifies its authorization of the execution of the grant documents and agreements from the date of their execution to the date of adoption of this authorizing Resolution.
6. No Municipal funds are required for the receipt or acceptance of the grant funds.
7. No commitment of City of Newark resources or staff is required for the receipt or acceptance of the grant funds.
8. The grant funds shall only be used to maintain already existing services, and shall not be used to create any new service or to expand an existing service.
9. The Business Administrator shall file fully-executed copies of the NJ Forest Service Leafing Out Grant (Program Year 2024-2028), and any associated grant documents or agreements in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution ratifies and authorizes the actions taken by the Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, to submit the 2024 Leafing Out Management and Education Grants (May 1, 2024 through April 26, 2028) with the NJ Forest Service, and further ratifies and authorizes the execution of the grant agreements necessary to receive the grant funds in the amount of $862,500.00 and further authorizes the acceptance of the grant funds.