The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-05-15 Study Session� vqalyliliit��:, ��u n c�m NSt�d��S e s s0��da STIDT SESSION AGENDA Monday, May 15, 2023 View on Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live stream via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime. HELD HYBRID (In -Person or Zoom Meeting Access) Public testimony will be accepted for both general public forum items and agenda items. Please complete the online Public Testimony Form, for WRITTEN and ELECTRONIC testimony only. Indicate on the Public Testimony Form if you wish to provide WRITTEN testimony, or if you wish to speak ELECTRONICALLY during the meeting. the day of the meeting. 5:00 p.m. City Council Social 1. New Senior Staff Introductionz 5:30 p.m. City Council Study Session 2. Public Input (up to 15 minutes) 4. Oregon Urban Rural Community Forestry Project Presentation In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Manager's office ot54l.488.6O02(TTYphone number l.80O7352SO0). Notification 72hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting Page lofl BACKGROUND AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry (OURCF) project is a non-profit organization seeking Federal Grant funding through the Inflation Recovery Act. OURCF aims to advance knowledge and support for urban, rural, and community forestry in Oregon by advocating for education, data collection and dissemination, tree planting, tree inventories, urban wood utilization, and the preservation and protection of existing healthy trees. The project focuses on empowering disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented neighborhoods and communities in Southern Oregon, where the effects of.climate change, drought, and wildfires have led to declining tree health and limited access to high -quality, locally acclimated nursery stock. To address this issue, OURCF has partnered with Plant Oregon Nursery to expand nursery production of 2,500 climate- resilient trees annually, with a focus on planting regionally native trees found in warmer, dryer o|irnotms to the south in Northern California. The project aims to p|antl,8OO of these trees per year in Southern Oregon and onadditional l,5O0trees dedicated toequitable tree planting projects throughout the State ofOregon, working with the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Programs. |fawarded federal funding the OURCFproject vvou|dbmrop|icoNe,pvovidingonequitab|mond inclusive urban forestry model that is implementable by other NGOs and agencies throughout the US. All materials and ideas produced under this grant project vviUbeopenaoVrceondovoi|ob|eotn000nLto everyone. Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry (]URCr)ksseeking oletter of support from the City of Ashland for their project to include in their application for federal funding. The City of Ashland Climate Energy Action Plan Committee, and the Tree Committee have each heard a presentation from Mike Oxencline, founder of OURCF, and have recommended Council provide such a letter of support for the project and grant application. included inthe materials provided bvOURCFioo similar support letter from the Oregon Department of Education, and the draft grant application which further describes the proposal. FISCAL IMPACTS Page /of2 While OURCF may seek a more formal partnership with the City of Ashland in the future and potentially seek City funding support for their project, the request before the council this evening is simply for oletter of support for their grant request for inflation Recovery Act funds. Any future partnership agreement or dedication offunding would require oseparate City review and approval, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Does the Council have any questions regarding Oregon Urban Rural Community Forestry and the proposed request to seek federal funding in support of their forest management project? SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS Upon Council direction a letter of support would be drafted for signature by the Mayor on behalf of the City. REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS ° OURCF Draft Inflation Recovery Act Grant Application ° Oregon Department ofEducation Support Letter ° Tree Committee support request toCity Manager ° CEP4Csupport request toCity Council Page 2of2 Oregon Urban Rural Community Forestry Request to Ashland City Council to support a grant request by OUR Community Forestry, Draft Inflation Reduction Act Grant to be submitted by OUR Community Forestry. ijxy+ � jt.t1 ... ,_5_' #_a. = l_fi. ..s..}. c r'ar !& 0'88 74 Describe the issues this project is seeking to address and how the project will contribute to the goals in this funding opportunity, including congressional, Justice40, State Forest Action Plans, and Ten -Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026) priorities. 1. Project Scope Alignment: Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry's heart is on equitably advancing knowledge, support, and the ecological benefits of urban, rural, and community forestry in Oregon. We will accomplish this through education, advocacy, data collection and dissemination, nursery production, tree planting, tree inventories, urban wood utilization, and the preservation and protection of existing healthy trees. Our work is targeted to empower ourselves and our partners in disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented neighborhoods and communities. OURCF and our multi -jurisdictional partners are mission driven and aligned in the goals to improve climate resilience, decrease invasive species impacts, decrease urban heat islands, celebrate diversity, increase green infrastructure, foster conservation through preservation of natural resources, and restore and recover ecological services to our urban areas. This OUR Community Forestry Project is an innovative and replicable mission driven equitable and inclusive urban forestry model that is implementable by other NGOs and agencies throughout the US. All materials and ideas produced under this grant project will be open source and available at no cost to everyone. The pilot site for this work is specifically focused on three rural counties in Southern Oregon. 47% of the total population (382,244) of Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties are considered disadvantaged by the Justice40 initiative. According to the EPA Environmental Justice and Screening Mapping Tool, none of the municipalities in these Counties have achieved tree equity. OUR Community Forestry has identified 150 potential project partners which include 20 municipalities, 123 K-12 schools, 4 higher education institutions, 2 federally recognised tribes (10 local non -federally recognised tribes) within the 3 identified counties. With this IRA grant funding opportunity OUR Community Forestry's work with disadvantaged communities in desperate need of urban forestry advancement will be federally subsidized and be provided at little to no cost to our partners. The Southern Oregon area is experiencing acute effects of climate change and over the past 23 years, 11 years have been declared extreme drought and this past year 2022 was rated as exceptional drought. These repetitive droughts are causing declining water availability from all sources. Southern Oregon is experiencing record heat in the summer, record droughts, and more numerous and intense wildfires that are causing continual late summer air quality issues due to wildfire smoke. This rapidly changing climate was fully realized on September 7th and 8th of 2020 when four wildfires (Two Four Two, Slater, Almeda, and South Obenchain) ripped through the communities of Southern Oregon killing 5 people, destroying 3,377 structures and leaving an estimated 8,500 people homeless. 2020 was the most destructive wildfire season on record in the state of Oregon. There are millions of trees within the Southern Oregon watersheds that are in decline or standing dead due to drought stress and associated insect predation. The urban forests are also seeing the effects of drought stress and are at higher risk for associated invasion of pests such as emerald ash borer, dutch elm disease, thousand cankers disease, and mediterranean oak borer. These invasive species combined with a rapidly changing climate highlight the need to diversify these forests. Unfortunately there is a lack of availability of high quality locally 8CCiDl8ted diverse and C|iDl@te resilient nursery stock. OUR Con1nnunhv Forestry is in partnership with Plant Oregon Nursery and vvmhave a.collaborative plan L0utilize IRA grant funds to expand nursery production of 2,500 trees annually. All 50 + species will be climate resilient and bVgrown with the highest nursery standards tobe exceptional quality. Adaptive methods include growing trees in inground grow bags, utilizing drip irrigation, utilizing native S0i\G amended with high quality COmpOSt' organic fertilizers, and free from chemically synthetic herbicides. We will be focusing on planting regionally native trees found in warmer, dryer climates tOthe south in Northern California, such as valley oak /{}UeFCUS |ob8t8\, blue oak /{}. dou8|aSii\.and interior live oak /C).vViS|izeni\.The program intends tOplant 1^OOOofthese trees per year in Southern Oregon, with an additional 1,500 trees dedicated to equitable tree planting projects throughout the State of Oregon, we will work with the O[}F UCF p[Og[8Dl to diSL[ibUL8 these trees tothe communities most iDneed. The goals and objectives listed below were all developed tOaddress the gOa|S. strategies, and 8CtiODS listed in the National Ten -Year Urban Forestry Action Plan with 8 specific intent 1Ofocus OD climate justice and equity in U[b8D forestry that align with the Q0@|S in this IRA funding opportunity. Every aspect of this plan has been reviewed by and is in alignment with the O[eOOO Department OfForestry's Urban and CO00Unih/ Forestry P[og[80S statewide objectives (see included letter 0fsupport from OOF-UCF). Goal #1:Broaden community engagement and guide each community imdeveloping en urban forestry master plan tailored totheir locality, with afouus on environmental justice, equity, and climate change resilience. This involves collaborating with partner organizations to lead workshops on program development, tracking, reporting, building capacity, buy -in, support, and, investment in their urban fonmoto' The ultimate 0oe| is to establish sustainable and long-lasting urban forestry programs within each partner organization. Objective #11: Secure partnerships and negotiate agreements with potentialp8rtDGr organizations for the OUR Community Forestry assistance program. Provide planning guidance and outreach topartner organizations tUengage their communities, including underrepresented groups, and assist in developing sustainable urban forestry programs. Objective #3: Establish a CODlp[8h8nSiw8 data collection and reporting system LVtrack progress and report program achievements and challenges to partner organizations and the OURCF Board OfDirectors OD8bi-8nnUG|basis. Goal #2:Increase the production ofhigh+qmaXit*'|�ua<l/��amted,diverse nursery trees . - that can withstand climate change and be used by local programs for planting. Objective #1:, Expand local nursery capacity for urban and community forestry through leasing land and collaborating with established nurseries. Establish 8statewide program for planting peace trees and "peace groves" hv reserving a portion of the nursery capacity for "Peace and Reconciliation" trees. Objective #3: Develop paid internship and training opportunities that target disadvantaged populations and groups underrepresented in the nursery industry, arboriculture, and forestry. .�j s ��s-�� 0��G raO t Ti 8, ��-81��7� The program will teach skills like horticulture, arboriculture, and nursery management, as well as provide work experience and leadership opportunities. Goal #8:Assist partner organizations 7nconducting a public tree inventory and utilize the data to support program objectives and garner support. Identify and serve disadvantaged and UDderServmdpopulations through socioeconomic, heat island mapping, census data, and other sources like health inequity maps, and prioritize these areas for restoration plantings. Objective 2: Collaborate with partner organizations to develop and implement a statewide tree inventory and management system, utilizing LiD/\H, G|G mapping, and existing inventory data. Objective 3: Train partner organization staff on proper inventory management and utilization of ecological data and reports to advocate for funding and prioritize climate resiliency in tree species selections, locations, and long-range recommendations. Additionally, offer paid internship opportunities to disadvantaged students to learn about tree inventory software, tree program management, QooapGbG|'and Li[}ARtechnology. Goal #4:Plant trees inpartner organizations' 'mrisdicUonawithin the Southern Oregon region imanequitable manner, with agoal mfplanting 1`0W0trees annually. Objective #1: Utilize tree inventory data, G|8 [n8ppiOQ data, aoCO8CODO[niC data, and other sources to create a map of priority planting locations that takes into account equity CODSid8[8tiODu. Objective #2: Establish a tree board or advisory panel for each partner organization, and guide them through a priority n@LiOg system that takes into account equity and SUSt8iOabi|itv considerations. This will help determine the p|8DUDg areas and numbers for each planting season. Objective #3: Contract with 8 |OC8| tF8n p|8DUDg O[g@DizGtiOD to assist with the iDSt8||8iiOD Of Goal #5: Hire local tree came companies and arborisks to maintain inventoried trees for partner organizations during the first 5 years after planting, using the inventory and equitable prioritization. This goal may be changed based oneach partner organizotion"s future capacity. Identify and assess local tree care companies and certified 8rboristsinthe region 0feach partner organization. Encourage the participation Ofwomen and minority -owned UnnS through nnOntOrShip.educational programs, and grant opportunities. Objective #2: Create and manage competitive bid contracts for tree work identified by partner organizations, emphasizing sustainable practices and adherence to industry standards and safety guidelines. Objective #3: Train contractors LUinventory and report ODthe status 0feach tree and location using inventory software. Supervise the work of contractors to ensure quality control and iD ^~ ��/y�o�' C0OOD|i3DC8 with contractual obligations, including CO||e(ti0D and responsible diSp0ae| of green waste and wood debris. Goal #6: Establish atraiming program for partner organizations' staff, which may include anapprenticeship mrcertification program for adomriste'The program will involve collaboration with various organizations, including the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture /PNW-USA\' OnmQom Community Trees (OCT), Oregon Department of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program (ODF UCF), and local community colleges. Objective 1: Partner organizations will identify their staffing needs and support the professional development Ofcurrent staff Orhire new qualified staff 0F0UtSOUrCe services hOOURCFOrother contractors tUachieve program success. Assess the educational needs Ofeach partner organization tOdetermine specific objectives required for program success. Objective 3: Provide comprehensive professional development training for partner organization Staff covering the basics of tree ideD1ifiC@ti0n, entry-level tree biO|0gy, ecology, inventory software fundamentals, and basic tree pruning, planting, and maintenance techniques, focusing OD disadvantaged p0pU|8tiODS. Intermediate level p[OfSSgionu| development training will also be provided to build OD these bGS\CS and prepare for certified 8rbOriStt[@ining programs. KSoa|#T: Ensure through collaboration with O0FUCF Prograrn'napoMUng assistance and urban and community forestry advancement Tree City USA, Tree Campus USA, Tree Campus K-12'and Growth Award status for all partner organizations. Objective #1: Support partner organizations in their development and administration of urban and community forestry programs through education, training, and policy review. This includes utilizing the tree board framework tVidentify education and administrative assistance needs, creating a training program to pass down knowledge, and reviewing tree ordinances and policies. Plan and coordinate annual arbor -month activities for each partner organization tOengage the community iD urban forestry initiatives. Assist partner organizations in achieving recognition for their urban forestry programs through consolidating program activities and applying for Tree City USA, Tree C@n0pVS USA, K-12Tree Campus USA, and Growth Awards. Goal #8: Establish a hub for urban wood utilization, comprising a showroom, program office, training center, and workshop. Objective #1: Construct versatile and sustainable structures using reclaimed urban and community wood. Utilize available program resources L0design @DdcDnstru{ttheG8bui|dingS. Build connections and partnerships with local woodworking associations, school woodshops, or individuals capable of transforming urban wood into value-added goods that promote the OURCF'Sobjectives. �,� Objective #3: Develop and implement an urban wood uU|izohOD program that provides education and training to the community on the value of urban wood and hOVV it Can be u*pU[pOS8dfor use infurniture, flooring, and other wood products. This program will also provide access to the hub's resources, such as the showroom and workshop, to allow community rDerDbg[S to utilize the Sp8CG and equipment to create their uvVO urban wood Goal #9:Establish mnarea for pmocgeo1mg and utilizing compost, mulch, green waste, and bio-char, and lease an Air -Curtain Bio-char kiln for energy production. Use local resources to set up@composting program. Initially contract out the establishment of the program, with the aim of transitioning to a permanent self-sustaining on - site COrQpOst pnOQ[aDl in the future. Objective #2: Lease an air -curtain burner system to produce bio-char and generate electricity. Objective #3: Provide 8 |OC8| facility where hOn0HOVVOe[o, forestry p[Ofeanion8|G. |@OdSC8pers' and arborists can dispose of wood waste. Goal #10: Provide educational and advocacy materials for free. Objective 1: Establish 8Din-house SigO8geproduction system hvinvesting iD8 ' sign -making CNC machine and supplies to produce cost-effective, high -quality signs. UBVe|Op and produce statewide tree preservation and protection signs for critical root zone or tree protection areas, using the newly established in-house signage production system. Objective 3: Create and produce statewide educational signage on topics such as habitat trees, ecological importance Oftrees, and historic Orspecial interest trees, arboretums, ortree walks, using the newly established in-house signage production system. The educational materials will be available in multiple languages, including Spanish, and will be designed to promote cultural wisdom and knowledge, particularly in underprivileged and underserved communities. Goal #11: Organize annual educational events such as meetings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, and training sessions toadvance urban forestry and arboriculture with afocus onundenaerved populations, including those imrural and socio economically depressed areas. Objective #11: Create 8permanent, accessible, and welcoming education space and provide opportunities for leadership development for both internal and external tree boards. Develop and execute high -quality educational programs, workshops, and classes for people at the |oCa|. r8giOD8|' and statewide |ev8|^ including p[OfeSSi0n@| development opportunities in 8rboriCU|tUn3, horticulture, and urban forestry in Spanish. Objective #3: Reach out tothe HiSp@DiC/L8UDo/LatinXcommunity and migrant worker community to.advocate for increased educational opportunities, and offer interpretive signage, educational Dl8ted8|a' and other UUtR}8ch efforts to promote awareness of tree -related iSSUeS and knowledge. GM8V'��N� ��Y�� Ot��-�� 2. Implementation Stethodolimellne: Provide a detailed explanation of the proposed approach, methodology, operations strategies, project schedule/timeline with goals/milestones, expected accomplishments or measurable outcomes, and project assess ment/evalu ati on methods. OUR Community Forestry iScurrently all volunteer. The Executive Director iSpresenting the proposed support program to City Councils, Boards, and Tribes weekly with the anticipation of having as many signed partnership agreements as pOgSib|8 in p|8C8 by June 1St. 2023. Dnma funding is established and partnership agreements are in place OUR Community Forestry will scale quickly by hiring paid staff - job descriptions, COrnp8naahOO. and recruitment are all in prOoeaa. Everyone currently Onthe OUR Community Forestry Team has vast and diverse experience working in urban forestry, the nursery industry, and arboriculture. We have several cODt[8(t partners already engaged and committed tOthe success [fthis project, SeeSeCtion below OOcapability and capacity. Through our existing network Ofurban forestry professionals VV8can scale quickly tOmeet the challenges outlined inthis plan. The anticipated timeline for thisproject is engagement with 75 of 150 identified partner organizations within the next five years, 8Dannual target of15-2Durban forestry planning projects. OUR Community Forestry is organized as a worker self -directed non-profit. We use a collaborative, asset -based approach to decision -making, which aims to empower all members of the organization to influence the realms and programs in which they work, the conditions of their workplace, their own career paths, and the direction Ofthe organization 8S8whole. Our sociocratic organizational structure of interconnectedness provides a method of governance that iSeffective, harmonious and collaborative. Each person 0Dthe team works OUmultiple projects in different phases of the plan. In this way we 08kO meaningful prOQ[8Ss with multiple large urban forestry plans concurrently with constant feedback and collaboration between partners and OUR CODlUlUOity Forestry. This soCiOC[8tiCSt[UCtUr8 also 8||ovvS us to be multifaceted and have many areas of expertise and various simultaneous deliverable products such as nursery pnOduCtiOD. compost & biO-Ch8r, tree inventory {kplanning, urban |uOObe[. education &tr@ining, and tree planting &maintenance. We will work with our partners to create legacy urban forestry master plans and support those plans through nursery production, compost & bio-char, tree inventory & planning, urban lumber, education & training, and tree planting & maintenance. We will measure our success by the standards of our collaborative partners at the Aborday Foundation through the Tree City USA, Tree Campus USA, and Tree Campus K-12USA programs. The ultimate goal ioLOhelp all of our partners become legacy urban forestry programs that report on their successes each year through the Arborday Foundations programs. OUR Community Forestry will be a success if half of all 150 potential identified partners in Southern Oregon engage and f0St8[ legacy urban forestry programs. Tree planting and maintenance will be tracked and reported on annually with the goal tOplant 1'0O01.5"-2"caliper trees and maintain 1O'OOOtrees annually. Nursery production will be tracked by the number of trees On]vvn from nursery field to final planting site. The urban wood utilization will be tracked by linear board feet of usable lumber produced 8DDU8||y. The composting and bi0-charOpe[8d0n will be tracked by cubic yards of compost created annually. All of the OUR Community Forestry pn}gn@rnn will track and report on the eCO|0giC8| benefits Of all trees under their purview for the life of the program - this Dle8OS that 7 ,etY� It k f f (1�.I f # ., 6 ."i.+. , t r a 1 .� r r .. t t f _,. , r� {. i s_ a..s � . ,.e...., r n 7 ...:,..i ..t every tree grown in the nursery, every tree planted, and every tree preserved will be tracked using tree plotter and i-tree software. This data will be collected and reported on annually to the USDA and ODF. 3. Capability and Capacity: Describe how each contributing organization is suited for (mission) and qualified to deliver the project. Provide the names, titles, and organization affiliation and specific roles of key personnel for the project. Include qualifications and experience of key personnel to implement, monitor, and assess/report project outcome, Plant Oregon - 50 years of experience in growing trees specializing in native, climate resilient, and drought tolerant species. Vast experience in restoration work, large scale urban tree planting projects of greater than 100 trees, urban lumber milling, compost creation, and large landscaping and irrigation projects. Plant Oregon will be responsible for leasing land and facilities to OUR Community Forestry and contract growing up to 2,500 trees annually.They will also be responsible for milling urban lumber, large scale tree planting projects, and compost/biochar operation. OUR Community Forestry - The team at OUR Community Forestry has over 100 years of combined experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, nursery, and organizational development. Mike Oxendine is the founder and Executive Director and will lead the organization. He is also the current President of Oregon Community Trees. Mike has 20 years of experience in urban forestry and ecology with a passion for equity and environmental justice. His advisory team includes Dr. Geoffrey Donovan a leading urban forestry researcher and published author with the USES, Chris John Board Certified Master Arborist and owner of Canopy LLC, Rachel White Science Delivery Specialist with the USFS, Scott Altenhoff Oregon Department of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager, and Paul Ries Roque Reconnaissance - Eli and his team use cutting edge drones equipped with different data collection cameras including LiDAR to create data specific to urban forestry tree inventories that allows us to collect tree measurements with incredible accuracy and efficiency. Green Top Planning Development - Nikki Hart -Brinkley is a GIS guru and has helped us generate a portfolio of reproducible data sets for each partner community. Data sets include heat island mapping, socio-economic data, lost canopy post disaster, community infrastructure, housing density, impervious/pervious surfaces, wildlife corridors, parks and open spaces, and many other important data layers. Oregon Department of Forestry Urban and CommunitV ForestrV Program - ODF UCF program will assist by advising and reviewing program objectives and deliverables. They will also be the clearing house for data that will be used for Statewide reporting and provide software and education in collaboration with OUR Community Forestry. Oregon Community Trees - State wide urban forestry advisory board that consists of up to 23 members from all around Oregon. They will serve in an advisory capacity and assist in dissemination of data and education. 4. Communications Plan: Share your plans for communication on the project, including plans for 1) signage acknowledging the source of funding at project locations 2) inclusion of funding information in press and promotional materials. f g a lt. {t ar , {tl _,rll ..`t rr z.� 7: l Cvr •r i l u l ' =. t.i LiA1:'Y Vrc 4" OUR Community Forestry is invested in storytelling and transparent sharing of our projects through social media, press releases, articles, presentations, signage, and advertising. We are prepared to create and provide all materials in house including signage and digital media. Signs will be installed at large project locations and partner agency headquarters following all local codes and appropriate channels. 5. Evidence of Disadvantaged Community Status for projects requesting Match Waiver (if applicable): Clearly describe the scope of work to be performed in disadvantaged communities, and identify online vulnerability and environmental justice equity data and/or tools referenced to support a disadvantaged community designation, (e.g., White House Council on Environmental Quality Screening Mapping Tool (EJScreen), EPA EnviroAtlas ;Interactive Map, Opportunity Zones, or other vulnerability data/tools applicable to the scope of work). Multiple tools may be used. All work must be tracked at the level that designates disadvantaged communities. All aspects of OUR Community Forestry work will be available to all of our project partners. All of our proposed project partners are in disadvantaged or underserved communities. Equity and inclusion will be the cornerstone of all Urban Forestry Master Plans and the data collected Will identify the priority equity areas in each partner's jurisdiction. Tree planting and preservation efforts will be focused on the most disadvantaged areas identified through an equity scoring system. As stated above 47% of the total population in the three Counties covered under this project are identified by the CEJST as disadvantaged in at least one category. The entire Southern Oregon region is considered rural, a large percentage of the population are migrant and undocumented hispanic and latinx families. According to the EJScreen tool almost all of the identified potential project areas are considered low socioeconomic status from low income, unemployment, and age diversity. All of the areas are at a high risk for drought, wildfire, and have the associated health disparities from high levels of pm 2.5 air pollution from wildfire smoke. We will report on environmental justice data and measure our success based on improved environmental justice scores in the following categories. Canopy coverage %, temperature at specific project sites, community survey data. Fina Kotek, Governor May 5,2O23 To Whom It May Concern: 04��y��KT ��l��/�� EPR��E��OF fin| �� | EDUCATION Oregon oCh/eV2s ... together! Colt Gill Director of the Department of Education The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is proud to support the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program (ODF UCFP) and its non-profit partner, Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry (OUR Community Forestry), in guiding K-12 schools in Oregon to create and adopt carnpusforestryp|ansondbecumeTnee[ornpuuK-12U5Aaocreditedcahnpuses. VVeknow that the loss oftrees inOregon due towildfires, drought, and pests like emerald ash borer highlights the need to grow and replant a diverse mix of trees in our state's K-12 school grounds. Trees provide ecological, economic, and social value to Oregon communities, promoting human health, saving energy, improving air and water quality, reducing flooding, buffering high heat events, and addressing historic and ongoing inequities. We believe that trees are vital to our individual and communal well-being and future prosperity. Trees provide respite, joy, and social interaction, and have a positive impact on mental health and community resilience. Studies have shown that students with a view of trees from their classroom have improved learning success. The Arbor Day Foundation and Project Learning Tree have long-standing proven program methodologies that ODF and OURCF will be utilizing and collaborating with to expand their benefits into the Oregon school system. We see this as an opportunity for Oregon to lead the way towards greener, more resilient, and safer school yards inthe USA. Therefore, the Oregon Department of Education fully supports the efforts of the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program and Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry. Sincerely, Colt Gill Director Oregon Department of Education 7S5Capitol StNE, Salem, 0R97310 1 Vuice:5U3-947-56OO I Fax:503-378-5lS6 1 www»re8on.gov/ode May 5.2O23 Joe Lessard City OfAshland 20 E Main Street Ashland, OR 97520 Dear Mr. Lessard, The Ashland Tree Advisory Committee (formerly the Ashland Tree Commission) issubmitting this letter wfsupport UDbehalf ofthe local 5O1(C)/3\Not-FO[-PrOft.Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry (OUR Community F0nSStry). OUR Community Forestry isapplying for Inflation Reduction Act Grant funding to support their work. They have identified Ashland as a potential regional partner and beneficiary of their work. The grant proposal to support this work has @ submission deadline 0fJune 1S[2O23.OUR Community Forestry iSrequesting formal partnership agreements with Southern Oregon municipalities, tribes, and educational institutions. As8Federal and State grant funded organization OUR Community is anticipating providing low to no cost support and solutions to their partners. Ashland doesn't have an urban forester ora public tree inventory. OUR Community Forestry can assist in developing a public tree inventory and creating an urban forestry master plan that would address important topics such as tree protection & preservation and related ordinances, climate resilience through species diversity, and categorize collect and disseminate ecological data that can beused tO make informed decisions regarding Ashland's urban forest. Trees play 8vital role inthe lives ofall Ashlandersand as Southern Oregon experiences more frequent acute effects of climate Ch8DQe such as [eCUDiDg droughts - over the p8SL 23 years, 11 years have been declared extreme drought and this past year 2U22was rated 8Sexceptional drought. These repetitive droughts are causing declining water availability from all sources. We are experiencing record heat in the summer, record droughts, and more numerous and intense wildfires that are causing continual late summer air quality issues due to wildfire smoke. Extreme heat and heat related illnesses kill more people every year worldwide than all other natural disasters combined. Many of these deaths can be prevented simply by planting and caring for the urban forest - particularly iDdisadvantaged, UDde[SerVed'and underrepresented neighborhoods. According to the White House's JUStCe40 initiative climate and eCOn0rniC justice screening i0O| Ashland has 1'072residents that are considered disadvantaged, UDde[ge[Ved,and underrepresented. OUR Community Forestry is dedicated first and foremost to helping equitably plant and maintain trees for the disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented neighborhoods. Please consider accepting OUR Community Forestry's request to present to the Ashland City Council and partnering with them toadvance climate justice inAshland. Sincerely, Ashland Tree MAC To: Ashland City Council, The Climate & Energy Policy Advisory Committee KCEPAC\ is SUbDlhUng this letter of support on behalf of the local 501 (C) (3) Not -For -Profit, Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry (OUR Community Forestry). OUR Community Forestry is applying for Inflation Reduction Act Grant funding to support their work. They have identified Ashland as a potential regional partner and beneficiary of their work. The grant proposal to support this work has a submission deadline of June I st, 2023. OUR Community Forestry is requesting formal partnership agreements with Southern Oregon municipalities, tribes, and educational institutions. OUR Community Forestry is dedicated to equitably advancing knowledge, support, and the ecological benefits ofurban, rural, and community forestry iDOregon. They accomplish this through education, advocacy, data collection - analysis and dissemination, nursery production, tree planting, tree inventories, urban wood utilization, and the preservation and protection of existing healthy trees. Their work is targeted to empower their partners in disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented neighborhoods and communities. OURCF and their multi - jurisdictional partners are mission driven and aligned in the goals to improve climate resilience, decrease invasive species impacts, decrease urban heat islands, celebrate diversity, increase green infrastructure, foster conservation through preservation of natural resources, and restore and recover ecological services tVurban and rural areas. As a grant funded organization OUR Community Forestry provides low to no cost support and solutions to their partners. They are primarily focused on helping communities draft urban forestry master plans through the CQ||8CtiOD' 8O8|vtiCs. and dissemination of ecological data. Their work aligns well with the Ashland Climate Energy Action Plan and will help Ashland better understand and report on how the urban forest provides carbon sequestration, stormwater management, improved air quality, and related human health and economical improvements for our community. The Climate QEnergy Policy Advisory Committee recommends the Ashland City Council accept arequest from OUR Community Forestry iupresent k}City Council and consider supporting H formal partnership with OUR Community Forestry to help advance Ashland's response to climate change. Sincerely, BhanSoh| mil "w I I/Mu, IINJ"JIC��Illllill�' u �ri d e d IN e e d s 1�� ri 1P �r o �r ty Grdar Fire Marshall Fire Department Fire Training Officer Fire Department Tyler Cloud Hosting Finance/DoIT Incode Update Courts Server Operating System Updates DoIT Network Infrastructure Upgrades DoIT Pre -Approved ADU plans Community Development 4 Single Role EMS staff Fire Department Deferred Maintenance City Hall (Grade F) City-wide Deferred Maintenance Council Chambers (Grade D) City-wide Additional funding or Community Center (Grade F) City-wide and Pioneer Hall (Grade D) Fund Type Description Funds 2024 General Fund Community Firewide program Restricted $ 1,264,700 $ Community Fire operations - assistance to firefighters Restricted 92,500 Community Police Traffic Grants Restricted 14,000 Social Services Non-profitgrantapplications, ie houseless resources Unrestricted 67,000 Tourism Fund Tourism Various* Restricted 586,338 Tourism Grant match for business fagade improvements Restricted 175,000 Tourism Grant match for traffice control or other event needs Restricted 100,000 Community Block Social Services Community block grants Restricted 201,812 *Major Breakdown of Tourism Grants - Restricted Tourism (Transient Occupance Tax) Ashland Chamber of Commerce Oregon Shakespeare Festival Other Tota I $ 2,501,350 $ 446,338 60,000 80,000 586,338 U ESTIONS?