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A resolution appropriating up to $2.5M annually through a grant contract by and between The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services, and the Cumberland River Compact to provide tree canopy restoration and maintenance.
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WHEREAS, the tree canopy in Metro Nashville has experienced significant declines due to development on private property; and,
WHEREAS, BL2021-972 allocated up to $2.5M per year to qualified private operational partners for restoring and maintaining Metro’s tree canopy; and,
WHEREAS, MWS solicited and reviewed competitive grant proposals from non-profits for canopy restoration and maintenance, and the Cumberland River Compact was evaluated highest among applicants; and,
WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services, and the Cumberland River Compact, wish to enter into a grant contract whereby the Cumberland River Compact would provide tree canopy restoration and maintenance; and,
WHEREAS, Section 7-3-314 if the Tennessee Code Annotated states that metropolitan forms of government may provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in accordance with the guidelines of the Metropolitan Government; and,
WHEREAS, Section 5.04.070 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws provides that the Metropolitan Council may by Resolution appropriate funds for the financial aid of nonprofit organizations; and,
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that this grant contract be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVISION COUNTY:
Section 1: That the grant contract by and between The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services, and the Cumberland River Compact, appropriating up to $2.5M annually to provide tree canopy restoration and maintenance, a copy of which if attached hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
Section 2: That this resolution shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution appropriates up to $2,500,000 annually through a contract between the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services (“MWS”) and the Cumberland River Compact (“CRC”) to provide tree canopy restoration and maintenance.
Section 7-3-314 if the Tennessee Code Annotated states that metropolitan forms of government may provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in accordance with the guidelines of the Metropolitan Government. Section 5.04.070 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws provides that the Metropolitan Council may by resolution appropriate funds for the financial aid of nonprofit organizations.
The Council passed Ordinance No. BL2021-972 on final reading on December 7, 2021. This ordinance created a mechanism for providing funds to restore and maintain the tree canopy in Nashville and Davidson County by allocating from the general fund equivalent to one percent of the annual revenues for building permits, the annual revenues for grading permits, and the five-year average of net proceeds of general obligation bonds issues to fund construction projects. The legislation provided for an annual funding cap of $2,500,000 per fiscal year. The program expires on June 30, 2023, unless extended by a resolution of the Metropolitan Council.
The resolution under consideration approves a grant contract between MWS and CRC for up to $2,500,000 annually. CRC would use these funds to plan and execute the planting/canopy restoration projects on private property and provide maintenance in accordance with MWS standards. CRC would also distribute 20% of these fuds to other nonprofit organizations for the planting of trees on private property. These other nonprofit organizations will provide reports to Metro regarding the use of funds and discuss and establish metrics with MWS. The term of this contract begins July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2025. The contract would terminate prior to June 30, 2025 if the Council does not extend the term of the program established by BL2021-972.
Fiscal Note: Metro will pay up to $2,500,000 annually to Cumberland River Compact to provide tree canopy restoration and maintenance from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 under this grant agreement.