HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit BEXHIBIT "B"
Narrative
Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act
City of Miami
FY2024
1. Lead Contact(s):
Project Manager Lead Name and Contact Information
Name: Raphael Gonzalez, City of Miami, Right -of -Way Aesthetics Division Coordinator
IRA Proposal Lead Contact and Acting Project Manager
Phone Number: 305-416-1089
Address: 444 SW 2nd Avenue-8th Floor, Miami, Florida 33130
Email address: RaGonzalez@miamigov.com
Additional Project Contacts
Name: Etienne Hernandez -Perez, City of Miami, Environmental Resources Specialist II
Phone Number: 305-533-3577
Address: 444 SW 2nd Avenue-8th Floor, Miami, Florida 33130
Email address: EHernandez-Perez@miamigov.com
Financial Contact(s) Name(s) and Contact Information
Name: Raphael Gonzalez, City of Miami, Right -of -Way Aesthetics Division Coordinator
Phone Number: 305-416-1089
Address: 444 SW 2nd Avenue-8th Floor, Miami, Florida 33130
Email address: RaGonzalez@miamigov.com
*Please denote the IRA Proposal Lead Contact
2. Purpose:
The Inflation Reduction Act, Subtitle D, Sec. 23003 (a). State and Private Forestry
Conservation Programs -Appropriations purpose is to provide support for tree planting and
related activities under the existing authorities in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act
of 1978 (PL 95-313), Section 9. Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) is a covered
program under the Agency's Justice40 Initiative established through Executive Order
13985.
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3. Project Abstract
The Miami Urban Forest and Green Workforce Project will prioritize areas in the City of Miami's
Southwestern Streetscape Master Plan that have the most heat vulnerability, the least amount of
tree canopy, and serve Justice40 communities. This project will install over 1,025 trees to enhance
Miami's urban forest; train up to 60 residents from underserved communities to enter the green
workforce; engage residents to be environmental stewards; and develop a Street Tree Management
Plan for sustainability. The City of Miami will partner with community organizations, Citizens For
A Better South Florida and the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Miami -Dade County.
4. Project Scope Alignment
The southwestern portion of the City of Miami is approximately 6.7 square miles and comprised
of a population of 101,135 people. Ninety-two percent of the area population is Hispanic/Latino,
20% of families live in poverty and 7% of residents are unemployed. It is one of the City' s most
densely populated regions with the greatest tree canopy deficiency, ranging between 10-15%
Urban Tree Canopy Assessment (UTC). The Southwest Streetscape Master Plan (SW Plan) was
then created to build this community's resilience to the impacts of climate change through tree
shading to reduce the heat island effect; maintain and enhance the quality of the air, water and land
through a mature tree canopy' s ability to sequester carbon and release oxygen, and filter storm
water; and promote awareness with City residents, on the benefits of trees. Community outreach
for the SW Plan was initiated by finding and reaching out to Community Homeowner Associations
within the project area and outreach from City offices within the plan boundaries. The
consequences of extreme heat are experienced more profoundly by disadvantaged communities.
To create the biggest and most equitable impact, planting trees must start in areas that don't already
have them. In alignment with the Justice40 initiative, the Miami Urban Forest and Green
Workforce Project will implement solutions from the SW Plan to increase the tree canopy and
associated resilience, health and economic benefits within geographic boundaries identified in the
SW Plan as "underserved communities." This project will directly impact 4.18 square miles of the
SW Plan's 6.7 square mile area and 71,315 residents.
Justice40 Initiative:
All census tracts in the project area are identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening
Tool (CEJST) as DISADVANTAGED. One -hundred percent of benefits from this grant under the
Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act, will support disadvantaged
communities. Benefits from this project include: planting 1,025 trees in public rights -of -ways;
community engagement to educate residents about tree benefits, the work to be done in their
communities, include their input in the Urban Forest Management Plan and update them on project
results; AND create a pathway to green jobs by providing paid workforce training and certification
testing for up to 60 disadvantaged adults. The project therefore supports the following Justice40
principles:
• The order creates a government wide Justice40 Initiative with the goal of delivering 40
percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged
communities.
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• The order initiates the development of a Climate and Environmental Justice Screening
Tool, building off EPA's EJSCREEN, to identify disadvantaged communities, support the
Justice40 Initiative, and inform equitable decision making across the federal government.
Ten -Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan:
Goal 3. Cultivate Diversity, Equity, and Leadership Within the Urban Forestry Community; B:
Engage underserved communities in urban and community forestry.
The Project will plant over 1,025 trees and target urban forestry funding resources specifically to
underserved communities and low -canopy neighborhoods identified in the SW Master Plan.
D: Increase workforce development opportunities and green jobs in urban and community
forestry, with particular attention to underserved communities.
The project will provide 60 adults (Green Workforce Cohorts) from underserved communities,
free training, and testing in Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT) based curriculum. The City's
Employment Opportunity Center will assist trainees with green jobs placement with the City and
other organizations.
Goal 5. Improve Urban and Community Forest Management, Maintenance, and Stewardship.
A: Improve urban and community forest management, maintenance, and arboricultural practices.
A Street Tree Management Plan will be developed with best management practices, action items,
and maintenance guidance to sustain the project's urban forest.
C: Promote better use of technology and tools in urban forestry.
An iTree database will be created to help monitor the project and any future trees planted in the
project area.
Goal 7. Increase Public Awareness and Environmental Education to Promote Stewardship.
C: Increase engagement of undeserved and minority communities in urban forestry establishment
and stewardship.
Community engagement workshops will promote the multiple benefits of the urban forest to
residents in project neighborhoods and Green Workforce Cohorts. This awareness campaign will
cultivate public support for the project and future urban forest initiatives.
Florida State Forest Action Plan:
Issue 4: Forest Resiliency in the Florida State Forest Action Plan, calls for promoting healthy
urban forests and planting more urban trees to help mitigated the heat island effect and increase
the benefits of trees to the public. The Miami Urban Forest and Green Workforce Project will
increase the tree canopy in an urban area, enhance greenspaces and provide tree benefits to an
underserved community that is densely populated. These features align with the following Goals,
Objectives and Strategies:
Goal 3: Take advantage of all available opportunities to increase tree canopy cover.
Objective 3.2: Encourage local governments to responsibly and equitably increase tree coverage
throughout their jurisdictions.
Strategy 3.2.1: Create urban greenspaces where none currently exist or enhance existing
greenspaces with additional trees.
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America The Beautiful Initiative:
Principle 5 recognizes that creating more tree cover in cities cools neighborhoods and improves
human health and well-being. This project's intent to plant more trees in a densely populated
underserved urban community with a deficient tree canopy aligns with Principle 5: Pursue
Conservation and Restoration Approaches that Create Jobs and Support Healthy Communities.
Per Principle 3, locally and regionally designed approaches can play a key role in conserving
resources and be tailored to meet the priorities and needs of local communities and the nation. The
foundation of this project is based on the Southwest Streetscape Master Plan which was developed
to build this community's resilience. Significant community outreach and feedback was used in
the creation of the SW Plan to meet the specific needs of the community. Additionally, during
implementation, community outreach will play a large role in helping us address residents'
concerns. These aspects of the project align with Principle 3: Support Locally Led and Locally
Designed Conservation Efforts.
Nature -Deprived Communities (MOU):
The proposed approach for Miami Urban Forest and Green Workforce Project will increase the
tree canopy in the southwestern portion of the City of Miami. It is identified as one of the City's
most densely populated regions with the greatest tree canopy deficiency, ranging between 10-15%
Urban Tree Canopy Assessment (UTC). These findings led to the development of the SW Plan to
strategically increase this community's resilience. Residents will enjoy the health and wellness
benefits of a biodiverse and resilient urban forest. The goals of this project will increase tree equity,
as benefits from urban greening can be most impactful to disadvantaged groups, which align with
priority D:
d. Improve Public Health and Safety — Support strategic planning, co -led research, and other
activities promoting improved social, economic, climate resilience, and human health and safety
outcomes through investments in parks and green and blue spaces in nature -deprived communities.
5. Implementation Strategy/Methodology/Timeline
The Miami Urban Forest and Green Workforce Project will focus on areas in the southwestern
portion of the City of Miami, that were identified as canopy deficient in the Southwest Streetscape
Master Plan (SW Plan). The neighborhoods in the project area have canopy coverage in their
respective right-of-way areas ranging from 8.5% to 18.6%. The project area is dense with multi-
family homes and on -street parking.
The limits of the project area extend from (Map 1, Project Maps attachment) the north at SW 1st
Street; to the south from SW 8th Street to SW 1 1th Street; the west portion bound by SW 27th
Avenue and U.S. 1; and the east between SW 37th and SW 39th Avenues. Per the SW Plan, the
neighborhoods (Map 2,Project Maps attachment) in the project area have the least amount of tree
canopy coverage and majority of hot spots. The north half area of the project area shows a very
high Urban Heat Island intensity with an increase from base temperatures ranging from 42.8 to
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44.6 °F (Map 3, Project Maps attachment). Neighborhoods in the project area have the greatest
incidence of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Obesity, High Cholesterol, Poor Mental Health, &
Asthma (Map 4, Project Maps attachment).
The operations and strategies of the project will be led by the Resilience and Public Works
Depailment (RPW) Program Manager. RPW will assign personnel with arborist experience and
certifications to serve as a liaison between the Program Manager (RPW), key City of Miami
personnel, and the Partners; and assist in project and grant management tasks. RPW will work with
the contractor(s) and perform on -site visits for quality assurance and to problem -solve any issues
that may deter the project's progress.
The proposed scope of work and $1,999.999.82M grant request for the Miami Urban Forest and
Green Workforce Project will result in the following:
City of Miami will use $1,650,250 in grant funds for the Tree Planting Program to plant 1,025
trees in the existing grassy swale areas of the public right-of-way. To ensure the project is
completed within the award contract period, RPW will create the construction documents for the
tree planting program, and the landscape contractor(s) to plant the trees according to the
installation specifications. The methodology to determine the feasible quantity of trees for the
project area, street typologies developed through variables in the roadway inventory were analyzed
at a fixed scale. This established a maximum number of trees that can be planted in each category.
The existing street tree inventory was then used to subtract trees in good/fair condition from the
ideal total, providing an estimation of the number of trees that can be planted considering the
existing site conditions. Dead or trees in poor/critical condition were not included in this
calculation, as they will be removed or replaced during the planting process. To achieve the desired
number of plantings, efforts will focus on planting trees within available spaces in the swale. The
SWS Plan recommends tree species that enhance neighborhood biodiversity by using the tree
inventory to evaluate the current distribution of trees in each neighborhood. Species will be
selected based on their adaptability to local conditions, resilience during floods and storms, and
their ability to support greater biodiversity in their specific locations.
The project will create a pathway into the green workforce for adults who live in Miami's
underserved communities with the assistance of partners, University of Florida's Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences Miami -Dade County Extension (IFAS) and Citizens For A Better South
Florida (CITIZENS).
IFAS will be sub -awarded $90,074.62 to train up to 60 adults from the Green Workforce
Cohorts, over a 3-year period. Trainees will undergo 80 hours of Florida Certified Landscape
Technician (FCLT) curriculum, aligned with Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape
Association (FNGLA) guidelines. The skills learned and credentials earned are an industry
standard for employees in landscape contracting; design/build; tree installation firms; and state,
county, and municipal government. The course will prepare students to take the FCLT certification
test, giving trainees the required skills and education to apply for green jobs in the City of Miami
and other organizations. IFAS will also provide class materials and cover the $385 FCLT exam
fee for each trainee.
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The City of Miami's Opportunity Center will identify, vet and refer Green Workforce
Cohorts (20 trainees per year) to IFAS, over 3 years, for a total of 60 trainees. Because of the
participants' economic vulnerability, the Opportunity Center will provide trainees a stipend
equivalent to a living hourly wage of $16.15 per hour to help them complete the course. Grant
funding in the amount of $77,520 will support paid training stipends for 60 trainees. The
Opportunity Center will also work with participants to place them in green jobs and provide
additional employment resources such as resume development. The City of Miami will provide
transportation assistance to Green Workforce Cohort participants who have transportation
hardships, so an additional $30,000 in grant funding will be allocated to provide trainees
transportation assistance to and from the IFAS teaching site in the City of Homestead. The
estimated travel distance between City of Miami and the IFAS-UF Miami -Dade Extension training
location in the City of Homestead is 45-60 miles.
CITIZENS will be sub -awarded $15,000 for community engagement and outreach activities.
Within the FCLT curriculum taught by IFAS, CITIZENS will provide workshops to give trainees
awareness of the expanse of green career fields; and engagement and management skills they can
apply to their training. Six (6) Green Workforce Cohort Trainee Workshops will encourage
cohorts to advance in the green workforce and teach them to effectively communicate tree benefits
in the public and private sectors within their careers. Community outreach and engagement are
also critical to the success of the project. CITIZENS will host up to nine (9) Urban Forest
Community Engagement Workshops with the City's Resilience and Public Works (RPW)
Depaitment, Environmental Resources Division, and Planning Depaitment. The goal is to have
residents understand the work that will be performed in their neighborhoods, create a shared
understanding of tree value in the public realm, and offer guidance on best practices regarding
care/maintenance for sustainability.
Lastly, $137,155.20 in grant funding will be allocated for the creation of a Street Tree
Management Plan (STMP). The STMP will be created for the long-term maintenance and
sustainability of the project. A portion of the Community engagement workshops will be used to
gather residents' input for the Street Tree Management Plan. The STMP will contain a series of
action plans for a resilient urban forest, such as storm response and recovery, comprehensive risk
management, and tree planting diversity.
The Project Assessment will use iTree software that offers the ability to calculate the amount of
carbon sequestration/storage, pollution removal, avoided runoff, annual benefits, and structural
value of trees within an inventory. The software will be used to track: 1) Amount of Carbon
Stored/Sequestered; 2) Amount of Pollution Removal; 3) Amount of Avoided Runoff; and 4)
Reduction of Urban Heat Island Effect. Numbers related to carbon, water, and air are calculated
using a series of modeling functions that consider the species/size of tree, along with local
precipitation and pollution data to then develop estimates and forecast trends. Capturing the
reductions in Urban Heat Island will take place at two -scales. The first will employ the use of
satellite imagery data to compare pre and post implementation vegetation index and surface
temperatures. This will produce an accurate visualization of change across the project period. The
second measurement will be randomized on -site readings using an infrared thermometer, to gain
more fine -resolution data regarding the change in temperatures. iTree data collection will be
initiated by RPW personnel during the tree inventory and monitoring stage of the project as well
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as updates to iTree for maintenance and sustainability after the project period. Tracking of
engagement will be undertaken by RPW at every outreach event/training opportunity. The quantity
of participants that sign -in will be logged in an online project dashboard to track and visualize the
aggregation of efforts across the project timeline. RPW will utilize quarterly progress reports from
partners to integrate the evaluation of the training and community engagement components into
the project assessment.
Implementation of the Miami Urban Forest and Green Workforce Project will result in residents
enjoying health and wellness benefits of a biodiverse and resilient urban forest. The goals and
objectives of this project will increase tree equity, as benefits from urban greening can be most
impactful to disadvantaged groups:
Goal 1: Mitigate climate change effects.
Objective 1.1: Increase tree canopy.
Objective: 1.2: Sustain the urban forest.
Goal 2: Residents become stewards of the urban forest.
Objective 2.1: Raise community awareness on tree benefits.
Goal 3: Create a pathway for underserved communities into green jobs.
Objective 3.1: Increase skills of underserved communities to enter green workforce.
The following list of metrics will be used to gauge success of the activities and accomplishments
for each goal and objective.
Accomplishment/Performance Measure
Grant
Target
Number of and size of climate resilient trees planted.
(Goal 1. Objective 1.1)
1,025
Number of trees pruned, removed, treated, inventoried, etc
(Goal 1. Objective 1.2)
1,025
Number of community planning, ordinance development, urban tree
assessment, or similar activities conducted.
(Goal 1. Objective 1.2)
2 (STMP Plan and iTree
data measurements)
Number of community members engaged/outreached to.
(Goal 2. Objective 2.1)
200
Number of disadvantaged community engagement/outreach activities.
(Goal 2. Objective 2.1)
15 (CITIZENS trainee and
resident outreach
activities)
Number of participants engaged in workforce development or related training
activities.
(Goal 3. Objective 3.1)
60 (Green Workforce
Cohort training and FCLT
certifications)
The timeline below describes who will be accomplishing the work and by what date the work will
be accomplished.
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YEAR 1 (Q1-Q4)
START/END
GOAL(S):
MILESTONE
PROJECT ACTIVITY
RESPONSIBLE
PARTIES
START: QUARTER
1
END:
QUARTER 2
Goals 1, 2 and 3
Execution of contracts
Partnership
agreements
signed; award
contract approved
by City officials.
City of Miami,
University of
Florida's Institute
of Food and
Agricultural
Sciences Miami -
Dade County
Extension (IFAS)
and Citizens For A
Better South
Florida (CITIZENS)
START:
QUARTER 1
END:
QUARTER 4
Goal
Media Campaign
Grant award
publicized in press
release; social
media campaign
initiated.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 3
END:
QUARTER 4
Goal 1
Tree Plant Program
Development
City of Miami
creates contractor
bid specifications.
City of Miami
START/END:
QUARTER 4
Goal
Public Buy -in of project
and tree benefits.
Community
engagement
workshops for
residents.
CITIZENS, City of
Miami
START/END:
QUARTER 4
Goals 1, 2 and 3
Project Assessment
Quarterly Progress
Reports
City of Miami
YEAR 2 (Q5- Q8)
START:
QUARTER 5
END:
QUARTER 7
Goal 3
Green Workforce
Cohorts selection
Opportunity
Center identifies
and vets 2 cohorts
per year.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 5
END:
QUARTER 8
Goal
Public Buy -in of project
and tree benefits.
Community
engagement
workshops for
residents.
CITIZENS, City of
Miami
START:
QUARTER 5
END:
QUARTER 8
Goal
Media Campaign
Public awareness
campaign- project
updates and tree
benefit messaging.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 5
END:
QUARTER 8
Goal
20 participants
complete FCLT course
and certification test.
IFAS trains 2
cohorts/year.
Trainees take FCLT
certification test.
IFAS
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START:
QUARTER 5
END:
QUARTER 8
Goal
20 participants will
learn how to advance in
the green
workforce/communicate
tree benefits
Green Workforce
Cohort Trainee
Workshops
CITIZENS
START/END:
QUARTER 6
Goal 1
Tree Installation
Contractors hired
Contractor/s
selected via
competitive bid.
City of Miami
START/END:
QUARTER 6
Goals 1 and 2
Street Tree
Management Plan
Consultant hired
Contractor/s
selected via
competitive bid.
City of Miami
START/END:
QUARTER 8
Goals 1, 2 and 3
Project Assessment
Quarterly Progress
Reports
City of Miami
YEAR 3 (Q9-Q12)
START:
QUARTER 9
END:
QUARTER 11
Goal
Green Workforce
Cohorts selection
Opportunity
Center identifies
and vets 2 cohorts
per year.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 9
END:
QUARTER 12
Goal2
Public Buy -in of project
and tree benefits.
Community
engagement
workshops for
residents.
CITIZENS, City of
Miami
START:
QUARTER 9
END:
QUARTER 12
Goal2
Media Campaign
Public awareness
campaign- project
updates and tree
benefit messaging.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 9
END:
QUARTER 12
Goal3
20 participants
complete FCLT course
and certification test.
IFAS trains 2
cohorts/year.
Trainees take FCLT
certification test.
IFAS
START:
QUARTER 9
END:
QUARTER 12
Goal2
20 participants will
learn how to advance in
the green
workforce/communicate
tree benefits
Green Workforce
Cohort Trainee
Workshops
CITIZENS
START:
QUARTER 9
END: QUARTER 12
Goal 1
Tree Planting Program
Contractor(s)
plants 1025 trees
City of Miami
START/END:
QUARTER 10
Goals 1 and 2
Street Tree
Management Plan
Street Tree
Management Plan
is completed.
City of Miami
QUARTER 12
Goals 1, 2 and 3
Project Assessment
Quarterly Progress
Reports
City of Miami
YEAR 4 (Q13-Q16)
START:
QUARTER 13
END:
Goal 3
Green Workforce
Cohorts selection
Opportunity
Center identifies
City of Miami
9
QUARTER 15
and vets 2 cohorts
per year.
START:
QUARTER 13
END:
QUARTER 16
Goal 2
Public Buy -in of project
and tree benefits.
Community
engagement
workshops for
residents.
CITIZENS, City of
Miami
START:
QUARTER 13
END:
QUARTER 16
Goal 2
Media Campaign
Public awareness
campaign- project
updates and tree
benefit messaging.
City of Miami
START:
QUARTER 13
END:
QUARTER 16
Goal3
20 participants
complete FCLT course
and certification test.
IFAS trains 2
cohorts/year.
Trainees take FCLT
certification test.
IFAS
START:
QUARTER 13
END:
QUARTER 16
Goal2
20 participants will
learn how to advance in
the green
workforce/communicate
tree benefits
Green Workforce
Cohort Trainee
Workshops
CITIZENS
QUARTER 16
Goals 1, 2 and 3
Project Completion
Final report is
submitted. Project
is completed.
City of Miami
6. Capability and Capacity
Raphael Gonzalez, Right -of -Way Aesthetics Division Coordinator, City of Miami RPW.
Raphael has over 29 years of experience in the landscape profession, project management, and
urban forestry management. Raphael is an I.S.A. Certified Arborist, FNGLA Certified and Tree
Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ). As the Program Manager (PM), he will oversee all project
activities and work with City Procurement, Risk and Legal Departments to create contractor bids
and sub -grant partner agreements per federal guidelines. Raphael will provide technical guidance
and resolve any problems with site design issues and overall tree conflicts; review specifications
to ensure high -quality trees are being planted in the right locations; and communicate with
residents, contractors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. The Project Coordinator
will report directly to him.
Quatisha Oguntoyinbo-Rashad, Chief of Environmental Resources, City of Miami. She has
over 14 years of experience in the arboricultural green industry. She is an I.S.A. Certified Arborist,
I.S.A. Certified Municipal Specialist, a Certified Landscape Inspector through the Landscape
Inspector's Association of Florida (LIAF), and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
(TRAQ). Quatisha and her team contributed in various capacities to the development of the SWS
Plan and will apply arboricultural knowledge, experience, and practices to the development of the
Street Tree Management Plan (STMP). She leads a division that is responsible for managing the
City's urban forest and spearheads community engagement events. Quatisha will serve as the lead
for the STMP and work with the consultant to develop practical recommendations, policies,
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procedures, and action plans for RPW to effectively manage the trees in the project area on an
ongoing basis.
David Snow, Assistant Director, Planning Department, City of Miami. David has been with the
City for over 16 years. He is part of the department's Executive team that manages over 50 staff
members who are responsible for coordinating Land Development, Comprehensive Planning,
Urban Design, Historic Preservation, Art In Public Places and Hearing Boards efforts within the
City. David and a select team of Urban Planners conducted the community engagement for the
SWS Plan and will act as a bridge between residents, RPW and partners. David will also consult
on the tree planting programs to ensure they align with the SWS Plan.
David Gilbert, Interim Director, Department of Human Services, City of Miami. David has over
20 years of experience in workforce and economic development. Previously, he was the Assistant
Director at CareerSource South Florida, where he managed various workforce development
programs for at -risk youth, veterans, individuals with disabilities, homeless individuals and
disadvantaged individuals. David manages the Opportunity Center which will implement the
Green Workforce cohorts and provide resources to ensure participants retention and job placement
support. The Opportunity Center connects ready, willing and able job seekers with local job
opportunities and employment resources through our newest hiring platform.
Henry Mayer, Commercial Urban Horticulture Extension Agent IV, IFAS. IFAS partners with
communities to provide high -quality, research -based relevant education and expertise to foster
healthy people, environments, and communities. Henry has worked at IFAS for over 20 years and
is a certified arborist. He will be the instructor for the Green Workforce cohorts. Henry has
conducted numerous workshops for the commercial landscape industry on tree maintenance, green
industry best management practices, tree pruning, plant installation and selection, Florida grades
and standards and related subjects. He is the author of many publications and blogs related to
landscape, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/mami-dade/.
Britney Ziems, Executive Director, Citizens ForA Better South Florida. Since 1989, CITIZENS
has provided environmental education which inspires active stewardship and preservation of the
South Florida environment. As a major contributor to the development of the SWS Plan, their
familiarity with the project and residents will provide a framework for community engagement in
this implementation phase. Britney and her team have expansive knowledge in ecology, forestry,
botany and environmental education. Britney will work with the City to craft community
workshops to change resident's perception of trees as having purely aesthetic value to
understanding trees as a necessary part of their community's infrastructure.
7. Communications Plan
The Communications Plan will use traditional avenues of promotion (e.g., word-of-mouth, flyers,
posters on bulletin boards), reaching out to community partners, social media networking
campaigns (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and web site advertisement. The City' s
Communications Depaitinent will make a video on the programming to illustrate the success of
the project and publicize the grant and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — Urban and Community
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Forestry involvement/partnership. This video(s) will be included in press releases, Miami's
monthly video -newsletter to the public, TV, and radio outlets.
Any products, language or signage associated with these activities will acknowledge the
contribution of the USFS Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry funding.
Acknowledgement of program funding will be included with each traditional and media
promotional effort, and publicizing strategy will ensure to promote the grant for making the project
possible. Additionally, the funder will have the opportunity to review material prior to publication,
including signage acknowledging the source of funding at project locations. Signage will be places
in highly visible locations throughout the project area. The Communication Plan will also include:
1) press release before the program launch, highlighting the grant award/goals; 2) Community
meetings at each neighborhood; 3) Ongoing social media campaigns such as Twitter hashtags; 4)
Pictures of participants and project activities posted to the City of Miami social media; and 5)
Links directing visitors to information on the grant that will be posted on the City' s social media
outlets.
8. Match Waiver Justification
The project will have 100% of benefits go toward disadvantaged communities, therefore as the
primary applicant, the City of Miami requests a match waiver. The project scope includes: planting
1,025 trees in public rights -of -ways; community engagement to educate residents about tree
benefits, the work to be done in their communities, include their input in the Urban Forest
Management Plan and update them on project results; AND create a pathway to green jobs by
providing paid workforce training and certification testing for up to 60 disadvantage adults.
Participants identified by the Opportunity Center for the FCLT certification course are from
Miami's disadvantaged communities. All census tracts in the project area are identified by the
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) as DISADVANTAGED. Each tract meets
at least 1 burden threshold AND the associated socioeconomic thresholds. Please refer to the
CEJST Tool Project Area & Census Tracts Map attachment for a screenshot of the CEJST
maps.
Per the U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department Data -Driven Planning Toolkit in CPD
Maps, the project area is 89% low -to -moderate income. CEJST Tool Data for Census Tracts
1208600XXX:
Census
Tract
Climate
Change
Energy
Health
Housing
Legacy
Pollution
Transportation
Water/
Wastewater
Workforce
Development
7001
X
6302
X
6301
X
X
X
X
X
X
5502
X
X
X
X
X
X
5407
X
X
X
X
X
5409
X
X
X
X
X
X
5410
X
X
X
X
X
X
5303
X
X
X
X
X
5304
X
X
X
X
X
5302
X
X
X
X
X
X
12
3602
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6602
X
X
X
X
X
X
9. Accomplishment Reporting
• Interim semi-annual progress reports (both written and financial SF-425) for periods ending June
30 and December 31 will be submitted no later than July 31 and January 31, respectively.
• Final financial and written progress reports will be submitted no later than 120 days after
completion of the award or grant period end date. The final written progress report will address
all planned activities and describe quantitative and qualitative accomplishments throughout the
entire grant period.
• Additionally, quantitative, and qualitative project accomplishments (metrics and activities) will
be reported for periods ending June 30 and December 31 to a public -facing Impact Reporting
platform. Impact reporting includes content such as census tracts, stories, videos, photographs,
and testimonials.
10. Monitoring
FY 2024 grants will be monitored by the Forest Service Program Managers by means of
phone calls, emails, site visits, technical assists and/or program reviews. Any visit to the
organization or community will be coordinated with the appropriate program manager.
11. Budget
Personnel: $0.00
Fringe Benefits: $0.00
Equipment: $0.00
Supplies: $0.00
Contractual: $1,787,405.20
Tree Planting Program: $1,650,250.00
A Landscaping/Tree Planting Contractor(s) will be procured in accordance with Federal guidelines
to plant 1,025 trees. The tree planting program will plant 1,025 trees in the project area within
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the existing grassy swales. Minimal improvements will be needed in the swales to accommodate
new trees. A Landscaping/Tree Planting Contractor(s) will provide the following services:
• Minor grading to provide positive drainage in swale area.
• Loosening of top 30" of soil to prepare for planting tree.
• Plant a variety of native/indigenous trees — large growing to be planted at 20' ht.
and low growing (under existing overhead wires) would be planted at 12' ht.
• Contractor to water and maintain trees for a period of 1 year. After the first year,
ongoing tree maintenance will be performed by the Resilience and Public Works
Department (RPW).
Item
Details
Qty
Unit
Cost/Unit
Total
Plant Tree
12' ht / 20' ht
1
EA
$1150
$1150
Maintain/ water
1 years
1
EA
$250
$
250.00
Subtotal $1400
10% General
Conditions $140
5% Insurance & Bond $70
TOTAL PER TREE $1610.00
TOTAL FOR PLANTING PROGRAM
1025 trees
$1,650,250.00
Street Tree Management Plan: $137,155.20
City of Miami will procure a consultant who will work with the City of Miami's Environmental
Resources Division, RPW and Planning. The Street Tree Management Plan (STMP) to manage the
urban forest in the project area through coordinated planning, design and maintenance to ensure
its long-term health and sustainability. The City will use the STMP to employ best management
practices in street tree maintenance to create a more cost-efficient and cohesive program. The
consultant will be expected to deliver the following services:
a. Planning: confirmation of the data gathered for the project area. Update information on the
social, environmental, and economic benefits of the urban forest, including impacts to air
quality, water quality, mental and physical health, urban heat island effect, and climate change.
b. Analysis of the urban forest health, diversity, coverage, conditions, pest management and tree
structure management.
c. Meet with City Departments to confirm goals and objectives for the management plan.
d. Preparation of implementation and maintenance strategy that will include performance
metrics and a timeline for monitoring and reporting progress towards tree preservation,
succession, planting, and maintenance.
e. Updating the previous analysis of the urban forest health, diversity, coverage, conditions,
pest management (IPM), and tree structure management.
f. Establishment of the following action plans:
i. Storm Response and Recovery
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ii. Comprehensive Risk Management i.e. (PPE)
iii. Tree Risk Management Plan
iv. Tree Planting Diversity Plan
v. Tree Planting Age Plan
• STMP Consultant Firm: $137,155.20
$65.95/hr. (consultant hourly rate). x 40 hrs. per week x 52 weeks = $137,155.20
Other (sub -grants only): $212,594.62
Partner/sub-grantee: UF/IFAS Extension Miami -Dade County: $90,074.62
UF/IFAS Extension Miami -Dade County will provide Green Workforce Cohorts participants
training that will prepare them to take FNGLA's Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT) exam. City
of Miami will sub -award grant funds to UF/IFAS to provide the training to up to 60 cohort trainees
(2 cohorts of 10 students per year) over 3 years. Once trainees complete their coursework, they
will have the knowledge and preparation to take FNGLA's Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT)
exam. The FNGLA/ FCLT $385 exam fee will be covered for each trainee, as the cost will otherwise
be prohibitive to trainees. The 80-hour curriculum will cover the following:
1. Plant Identification
2. Plan Layout
3. Tree Installation: Florida Grades and Standards,
4. Pruning
5. Palm Banding & Bracing
6. Grading & Drainage
7. Irrigation
8. Equipment Operation (requires use of Bobcat)
9. Landscape Plan Evaluation
10. Scouting and Monitoring techniques for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
The course will be taught by a certified arborist and UF/IFAS Commercial Urban Horticulture
Extension Agent who will spend a total of 160 hours of instruction/year and 160 hours of class
preparation time, for a total of 320 hours per year. The total hourly cost for the instructor is
approximately $31.04/hour with a fringe rate of 29.3%. The total hourly cost with the fringe rate
is $40.13. The annual cost of the instructor is $40.13/hr. x 320 hrs. per year= $12,841.60.
Supplies for classes will be provided by UF-IFAS Miami -Dade County Extension:
Reusable supplies at $100 per unit per trainee: include plants, architect scale', tape measure',
shovel' and rake', gloves, safety goggles, mulch, stake', palm banding', hand pruner', pole
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pruner', lopper1, irrigation controller', PVC pipes, glue and primer, hearing protection, safety
vest' and hard hat'.
Non -reusable supplies at $20 per unit per trainee: items must be re -purchased for each
participant in the cohorts (60 trainees total). Includes: textbooks, note pads and pens/pencils.
Bobcat Skid Steer Loader Rental -One of the class modules Green Workforce Cohorts trainings is
equipment operation. Cohort trainees will learn how to operate a Bobcat loader, an apparatus
that is essential for tree planting.
• Instructor Cost (320 hours per year):
$12,841.60 annual instructor cost x 3 years (with 1.03% inflation each year) = $38,922.96
Year 1: $12,841.60
Year 2: $12,841.60 x 1.03%= $12,973.86
Year 3: $12,973.87 x 1.03% = $13,107.50
Total: $38,922.96
• Reusable Supplies (for 20 trainees. Supplies can be re -used for each cohort)
20 trainees x $ 99.46 unit cost= $1,989.20
• Non -reusable Supplies (for 20 students x 3 years= 60):
60 trainees x $ 20 unit cost = $ 1,200
• Bobcat Skid Steer Loader Rental (3 Bobcat rentals per year):
3 rentals x $400 per rental x3 years= $3,600.00
• FNGLA/ FCLT Exam fee:
60 trainees x $385 certification test fee = $23,100.00
• Indirect Costs at MTDC 32.6%:
$65,222.26 ($3,600 Bobcat rental is excluded from TDC) x 32.6%= $ 21,262.46
Partner/sub-grantee: Citizens For A Better South Florida: $15,000
CITIZENS will provide environmental education workshops for the Green Workforce Cohorts
focusing on green jobs and learning about opportunities for leadership and employment within
the City of Miami and other organizations. CITIZENS will also educate participants on the vast
spectrum of green careers they may want to pursue in the future; how to develop successful
community partnerships; and strengthen public and private communication to work towards the
common goal of increased tree canopy and the urban forest. In this way, cohort participants will
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get a comprehensive sense of how they are part of the greater urban forest ecosystem. CITIZENS
will conduct 6 Green Workforce Cohort Trainee Workshops (3 cohort trainee workshops at UF-
IFAS location at 2 hours each workshop). The cost per workshop includes additional time for set-
up and clean-up; 2 Citizens for a Better South FL staff (one English speaker and one
Bilingual/Spanish speaker); materials/supplies/handouts provided for each workshop; mileage;
and presentation planning time.
CITIZENS will work with City of Miami departments to host community urban forestry education
and engagement workshops in Years 1-4, to create community stewards that work as an
interconnected network to support and protect the urban forest. These workshops will take place
throughout different stages of the project to get community buy -in for this project and future
urban forest initiatives in their neighborhoods. Approximately, 9 community engagement
workshops will take place before tree planting, during tree planting and after the project is
completed. The cost per workshop includes additional time for set-up and clean-up; 2 CITIZENS
staff (one English speaker and one Bilingual/Spanish speaker); materials/supplies/handouts
provided for each workshop; mileage, and presentation planning time.
• Green Workforce Cohort Trainee Workshops:
$1,000 (cost per workshop) x 2 (cohort trainings/yr.) x 3 years= $6,000
• Urban Forest Community Engagement Workshops:
$1,000 (cost per workshop) x 9 (workshops) = $9,000
Green Workforce Cohort Training Stipend: $77,520
City of Miami will provide a training stipend to participants on FNGLA's Certified Landscape
Technician (FCLT) program. FLCT training will take place in Years 2-4 (3 years). It is estimated
that 2 cohorts of 10 trainees per year will complete training and obtain certification, for a total
of 60 trainees at the end of the project period. Because of the vulnerability of this target
population, a stipend equivalent to a living hourly wage of $16.15 per hour will be paid to help
participants complete the 80 hours (10-week course, 8 hours/week) of in -classroom and hands-
on course work. Once certified, the City of Miami Opportunity Center will provide job placement
services, including resume assistance.
• Green Workforce Cohort Training Stipend:
60 trainees x 80 hours x $16.15 per hour = $77,520
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Green Workforce Cohort Transportation Assistance: $30,000.00
The City of Miami, via its workforce Opportunity Center, will provide transportation assistance to
Green Workforce Cohort trainees who have transportation hardships, to facilitate their training
attendance. The estimated travel distance between City of Miami and the IFAS-UF Miami -Dade
Extension training location in the City of Homestead is 45-60 miles. IFAS not only provides
classroom instruction, but their property is also equipped for hands-on training that includes
handling heavy equipment and tree maintenance
The Opportunity Center maintains a log of bus passes and the clients that receive them. The
center purchases weekly bus passes because monthly bus passes start the date of purchase. With
weekly bus passes, clients have 8 weeks before they expire. The Opportunity Center urges
individuals to obtain bus passes because it is a low cost transportation method that they can
adopt into their daily lives.
The Opportunity Center also has a transportation pass agreement with Uber. The Uber passes
are distributed to folks that need more help getting somewhere consistently (the first week of
working or workforce training). The Opportunity Center maintains a log of the individuals that
receive the passes.
Cohort trainees will need transportation over the 10-week training period. Transportation
assistance for each trainee will be a combination of a weekly bus pass and rideshare passes
(based on need), with a value of $50 per person per week. The Opportunity Center will use its
in-house tracking system to manage the distribution of the passes. Trainees will receive passes
contingent on using them exclusively to attend Green Workforce Trainings. The travel voucher
can be used for a weekly bus pass at $30 each and last -mile transport at $20 each (rideshare $10
each way to and from bus stop= $20). This equates to: $50 travel voucher/per week x 10 weeks
= $500 travel voucher per trainee.
Transportation:
• $50 travel voucher/per week x 10 weeks x 60 trainees = $30,000.00
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