| | | | | | | |  | Resolutions - C7 B
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Alina T. Hudak, City Manager | | | DATE: | February 22, 2023 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF FUNDS FROM THE MIAMI BEACH TREE PRESERVATION TRUST FUND TO PURCHASE 100 TREES FOR THE APRIL 1ST EARTH MONTH EVENT. |
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
| | The Administration recommends the adoption of the Resolution. |
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| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND/HISTORY
| In celebration of Earth Month, the Environment and Sustainability Department will be hosting an event at Altos Del Mar Park on April 1, 2023, which will include a tree giveaway. We will use this opportunity to educate residents on the benefits of trees and encourage canopy growth. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The Urban Forestry Master Plan is structured around the goal to increase the City’s urban canopy from 17% to 22% coverage by the year 2040. The clearest path to reach this goal is by utilizing a multi-pronged approach that includes public and private property, given that 74% of property is privately owned and 79% of the tree canopy is on private property. The main strategies to protect and grow the canopy include GO Bond reforestation, the Tree Preservation Program (Chapter 46), Land Development Regulations (Chapter 126) and the Urban Forestry Master Plan that is a guidance document to establish best management practices for developing and maintaining a healthy and sustainable urban tree canopy. Community outreach is another important strategy that encourages tree plantings in private properties. Utilizing the Tree Trust Fund for tree giveaways helps to increase community outreach and education and provide trees to residents.
The Miami Beach Tree Preservation Trust Fund was created for the purpose of accepting and disbursing the replacement fees paid to the City of Miami Beach as part of tree work permits and any other monies deposited with the Environment and Sustainability Department for tree preservation purposes. Per Sec. 46-65. (4) (d) The trust funds must be used to obtain trees, landscaping, irrigation systems, and any other items or materials necessary and proper for the preservation, maintenance, relocation or restoration of trees and the urban forest on any publicly owned land or publicly accessible parcels in Miami Beach. Further, the trust funds may also be expended for similar programs approved by the City Commission. While the tree giveaway is for residential property, it is a similar program to meet tree canopy goals and City Commission approval is required. |
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| | | | | | | | SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
| | The 2022 Community Survey results indicate that 71% of residents would like to see more trees in their neighborhood. |
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| | | | | | | | FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| | N/A |
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| | | | | | | | | Amount(s)/Account(s): | Miami Beach Tree Preservation Trust Fund: 127-6505-000312-00-406-555-00-00-00 |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| | The tree giveaway is an additional tool to increase the urban canopy of the City of Miami Beach, to help reach our City’s goal of 22% urban tree canopy by 2040. |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | Yes | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Environment & Infrastructure - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking
Environment and Sustainability |
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