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Home My WebLink About2013 01 14 Informational 101 2012 Tree City USA Award COMMISSION AGENDA Informational X Consent ITEM 101 public Hearings g Regular January 14, 2013 KS RS Regular Meeting City Manager Department REQUEST: The Community Development Department, Arbor Division, is providing information to the City Commission regarding the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Designation and Growth Award status for the City of Winter Springs. SYNOPSIS: Each year local governments around the country have an opportunity to participate in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program. For more than 24 years, the City of Winter Springs has continued to exceed the qualifications for Tree City USA and has received the coveted `Growth Award' for 15 years in a row. In addition, the City continues to be named one of only a few Sterling Communities in the State of Florida. Staff is proud to announce that our City has once again been approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, for award in all of these categories under the Tree City USA Program. CONSIDERATIONS: The Tree City USA Designation promotes public awareness and community involvement in the management of our urban canopy. Also, preference may be given to Tree City USA communities over other communities when allocations of grant money are made for trees or forestry programs. Participation in Tree City USA benefits cities and local governments in five (5)ways, as summarized below: . Provides initial direction for an urban forestry program. Informational 101 PAGE 1 OF 2-January 14, 2013 • Education of Citizens is facilitated and promoted. • Improved public image and increased pride in the community. • Financial assistance advantages are secured through increased oppolmnity. • Publicity opportunities are created in surrounding municipalities. To participate in the Tree City USA Program, four standards must be met to qualify for award: (1) the applicant shall have a Tree Board or Department, (2) the applicant shall have a Tree Care or Arbor Ordinance, (3) the applicant shall have a Community Forestry Program, and (4) the applicant shall hold an Arbor Day Celebration and Proclamation Ceremony. Winter Springs is now celebrating over 24 years in the Tree City USA Program. The `Growth Award' is given to communities that go beyond the four standards of Tree City USA to accumulate points from specific projects that demonstrate improvement and growth of local tree care. A community that receives the growth award for 10 years or more, and has met stringent qualification criteria each consecutive year, is qualified to become a Tree City USA Sterling Community. Winter Springs has received the Growth Award for 15 years in a row and continues to receive the coveted `Sterling Communities Award' for 2012. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no additional cost to the City for participation in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program, however, continued participation affords the City a higher ranking when applying for many grants involving forestry and beautification, in addition to many other benefits of the program. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, and is available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the respective Meeting Agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals noted above, and which is also available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff, Media/Press Representatives who have requested Agendas/Agenda Item information, Homeowner's Associations/Representatives on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This information has also been posted outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the General Public, and posted at five (5) different locations around the City. Furthermore, this information is also available to any individual requestors. City Staff is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any interested individuals. RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests the City Commission receive and review the information provided in this Agenda Item. ATTACHMENTS: A) 2012 Tree City USA Certification and Growth Award Approval Letters Informational 101 PAGE 2 OF 2-January 14,2013 Attachment 'A' FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE _� THE CONNER BUILDING (850)488-4274 _ � 3125 CONNER BOULEVARD TALLAHASSEE,FLORIDA 32399-1650 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES COMMISSIONER ADAM H. PUTNAM FM CFA Tree City December 1, 2012 Mr. John Rosenow Executive Director National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12th Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 Dear Mr. Rosenow: The city of Winter Springs, Florida has filed the attached application for recertification as a Tree City USA. The application and supporting documentation has been examined by my staff and we feel that all standards for the recertification have been met. Accordingly, I recommend that the city of Winter Springs, FL be recertified as a Tree City USA 2012. Sincerely, Adam H. Putnam Commissioner of Ag 'culture James R. Karels, Director Florida Forest Service JRKlcrm Enclosure cc: Stephanie Wolfe, City Arborist, Winter Springs, FL Sean Gallagher, Orlando District Manager Dana Sussmann, Senior Forester, Orlando District TW Fmsh 1-800-11Et.PFLA Florida, www.FreshFromPlorida.com The Arbor Day Foundation- Portal Page 1 of 4 Winter Springs 2 012 APPLICATION INFORMATION Status : Pending state forester approval Community Name:Winter Springs Community Website: www.winterspringsfi.org Mayor or Equivalent: City Forestry Contact: Portal Login Contact: Kevin Smith Stephanie Wolfe Stephanie Wolfe 1126 E. SR 434 1126 E. SR 434 1126 E State Road 434 Winter Springs , FL 32708 Winter Springs, FL 32708 Winter Springs, FL 32708 407-327-6584 407-327-6584 swolfe @winterspringsfl.org swolfe @winterspringsfl.org Standard 1 -A Tree Board or Department Dates of Meetings: Chairperson: Tree Board Members: Alice Bard 649 Cheoy Lee Circle Winter Springs, FL 32708 Dept. Chair/City Manager: Standard 2-A Community Tree Ordinance Date ordinance established: 4/1/2002 Ordinance verified:Ordinance has been verified Standard 3-A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Ieast$2 Per Capita https:ll portal.arborday.org/ApplicationPrintView.aspx?pr=0 11/30/2012 Page 1 of 1 Print this page Tree City USA 2012 Application for Certification 'EE CcrvISA The Tree City USA award is in recognition of work completed by the community during the 2012 calendar year. As Mayor or Equivalent of the Community of-'Winter Springs I herewith make application for this community to be officially certified/recertified as a Tree City USA for 2012,having achieved the standards set forth by the Arbor Day Foundation as noted below. Standard 1:A Tree Board or Department Alice Bard Tree Board Chairperson 407-8134-2000 alice.bard @dep.state.11.us Standard 2:A Community Tree Ordiarnee r Our community ordinance is on record Standard 3:A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least S2 Per Capita Total Community Forestry Expenditures $228627.4 Community Population 33568 Per Capita Spending $6.81 Standard 4: An Arbor pay Observance and Proclamation Official Arbor Day p cl ation is on record May ,r or Equivalent Signature I itl Date Application Certification To Be Completed By The State Forester Winter Springs The above named community has made formal application to this office.I am pleased to advise you that we reviewed the application and Dave concluded that,b sed 9n the information contained herein,said community is eligible to be certified as a Tree City YSA communi ,for a 201 calendaryear,having in my opinion met the four standards.required for recognition State Fo ste Signature Title D6te f' Arbor Day Foundatiod Mary Matthews, Staff Assistant Print this page Florida Forest Service 3125 Conner Blvd 1-261 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650 https://portal.arborday.org/TreeCityPriniForm.aspx 11/2012012 FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE _ THE CONNER BUILDING (854)488-4274 3125 CONNER BOULEVARD TALLAHASSEE,FLORIDA 32399-1654 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES COMMISSIONER ADAM H. PUTNAM FM CFA Tree City December 3, 2012 Mr. John Rosenow Executive Director National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12th Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 Dear Mr. Rosenow: The City of Winter Springs, Florida has filed the attached application for a Tree City USA Growth Award 2092. The application and supporting documentation has been examined by my staff and we feel that all standards for the Growth Award have been met. Accordingly, I recommend the award for the City of Winter Springs, FL. Sincerely, Adam H. Putnam Commissioner of Agriculture 9�L -4. a, ,1j James R. Karels, Director Florida Forest Service JRKlsaf Enclosure cc: Stephanie Wolfe, City Arborist, Winter Springs, FL Sean Gallagher, Orlando District Manager Dana Sussmann, Senior Forester, Orlando District Fresh 1-800-IILLPFI-A Fbilda. www.FreshFromFlorida.com Page I of 1 Tree Ci USA Growth Award z 2012 Application for Certification TREE CM USA As Mayor or Equivalent of the Community of Winter Springs 1 herewith make application for this community to receive the Tree City USA Growth Award as we: • Certified as a Tree City USA last year and have submitted an Application for Recertification this year. • Spent at least as much an our community forestry program this year($228,627.40)as we did last year($218,392.J5). • Farted 10 or more points according to Growth Award Eligible Activities(which were new or significantly improved during 2012) - Attached documentation for each Eligible Activity for which we seek recognition as listed below.(Appropriate documentation includes narrative descriptions,copies of documents,copies of printed brochures,and newspaper clippings.) City Forestry Contact: Stephanie Wolfe City Arborist d07-327-6584 swolfe@winterspringsfl.org Activities Activity Aetivit Name Points Earned A6 Publicity 5 A7 Youth Education_ 4 A8 Continuing Education for Tree Workers 6 Total Points:15 q V1 aiij Mayor ot Equivalen Signature Titic Date Growth Award Certification To Be Completed By The State Forester: Winter Springs The above named community has made formal application to this office.I ant pleased to advise you that we reviewed the application and have concluded that,based on the information contained herein,said community is eligible to receive the Tree City USA Orowth Award for the 2012 calendar year,having in my opinion met the Growth Award criteria specified in this application uG oJ• [si�� i fate Forester Signature Title late Mary Matthews,Staff Assistant Florida Forest Service 3125 Conner Blvd 1-261 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1654 https://portat.arborday.org/gaSignatweFonnPrint.aspx 11/28/2012