Res 2024-145 approving a Subaward Grant Agreement with Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., providing grant funding to the city in the amount of $299,722.00 for the city to conduct a tree inventory

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Docusign Envelope ID: 1009E573-1ACF-4913-8247-790D900060D6 ✓v✓�r-%n ♦r-wL_L_ FORESTRY INITIATIVE SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT mitigate this trend and assist in reaching target canopy levels in communities in need.(https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/utc/) Lack of Existing Urban Forest Strategic Plan The City has various type of plans that help guide its work: Transportation Greenways Master Plan,an Open Space Master Plan,a Sustainability Plan,a Sidewalk Master Plan and a Planning and Development Master Plan(that was recently updated). While these reference natural resources management,there is no guiding document that outlines specific strategies to protect and sustain our urban forest. In a rapidly growing region such as that of Hays County/San Marcos,it is imperative to protect the natural resources,such as our trees which are key in protecting the ephemeral creeks and rivers that feed into the region's largest water resources,the Edwards Aquifer. According to the State Forest Action Plan,Hays County which San Marcos is located within ranked high within the top 19%of 114 counties identified as Important Forest Resources Area.Overall statewide,five issues were identified,and San Marcos(Hays County)met four of the five issues needing addressed through the development of a forestry management plan(Water Resource Protection,Wildfire &public Safety,Urban Forest Sustainability,&Central Texas Woodlands Conservation.)Developing an Urban Forest Strategic Plan will promote the importance of trees and tree management overall and complement existing plans. Insufficient Staffing The City of San Marcos has one full-time Urban Forester(UF)dedicated to overseeing forest management,tree care and mitigation resulting from various issues,such as natural disasters or lack of coordinated work efforts among City departments. The OF also provides community education and community engagement activities,such as Tree Giveaway Days with other City-wide and neighborhood special events.The City's size and existing green infrastructure make it difficult for staff to keep up with the urban forestry demands. The Sustainable Urban Forest Guide recommends that cities evaluate their existing operations as part of the development of an urban forest management plan. Lack of Existing Public Tree Ordinance There currently is no public tree ordinance providing guidance to both City Staff and external parties on how to manage trees. The ordinance now in effect is in the development code and applies to trees on private property or future city properties. With a service area inclusive of such a large,forested area and potentially at-risk due to the reasons listed herein,it is imperative to have an ordinance to provide direction on the forest's sustainability. No formal collaboration/cohesion among environmentally focused community stakeholders/partners There are several non- governmental and other groups that advocate for or focus on the environment within the City/community of San Marcos. With the rapid pace of growth and development and increasing opportunities for funding supporting environmental causes,it would be advantageous to have a more permanent type of collaboration or group structure.This would allow for better collaboration, program planning and positioning to apply for funding opportunities. Alignment to National and State Guidance Documents The City of San Marcos'proposed Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan&Inventory incorporates and aligns with several of the goals and objectives from Texas'State Forest Action Plan and the 10 Year Forest Management Plan,as well as the Justice 40 Presidential Executive Order. COSM's proposed Forest Strategic plan,Tree Inventory and Canopy Study will encompass all types of planning efforts and thread into the City's Master Plan. The resulting Plan will serve as the"backbone"for its Urban Forestry activities. This aligns with the State Forest Action Plan's goal to"integrate urban and community forestry into all scales of planning."Development of the Plan will be used to educate both internal and external clients,thereby increasing public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship. These specific directives and activities will help in sustaining existing trees and planning for future growth supporting the public health benefits that urban forests provide. The development of and subsequent oversight of the City's Forest Strategic Plan will be provided by a Steering Committee and Workgroup that will be diverse ensuring equitable representation and participation by various populations ensuring that future generations benefit from the diverse viewpoints and knowledge. Community engagement and correlating conununio)education will occur within the Steering Committee,with targeted communities and the public,during the development of the Plan and 15