A5
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: April 9, 1996
Dept. File No. MvH
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Land Use and Development. in consultation with the
Deputy Director of Finance, Office of the City Clerk and
General Manager, Board of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Green Streets Canada Application
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve a contribution of $20,000 ($5,000 above
the original commitment) for the Tree Voucher Program to
supplement the $25,000 awarded from the Green Streets Canada
Application. Source of funds to be the Contingency Reserve.
As an alternative to the foregoing, the following is submitted for
CONSIDERATION:
B. THAT Council approve funding equivalent to its original
commitment of $15,000 for the Tree Voucher Program. Source of
funds to be the Contingency Reserve.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A,
noting that the City had already made a commitment of $10,000 to
the Ridgeway greenway project which applied for joint funding
through the Green Streets Canada Program but was not funded,
thereby providing the Tree Voucher Program the opportunity to use
$5,000 of this commitment.
Should Council not wish to increase City funding, alternative B is
submitted for CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
On September 26, 1995, Council endorsed, by resolution, the application
to Green Streets Canada for matching funds for tree planting to enhance
Vancouver's existing tree planting programs, foster community
involvement and increase public awareness of the benefits of trees.
Prior policies were also adopted through the "Clouds of Change" report
[Section 28(b)] that encourage planting of trees on private property,
and tree awareness programs through community associations, schools and
other organizations. Council also adopted the Urban Landscape Task
Force report of November 3, 1992 and the Greenways Implementation Report
on July 18, 1995 which further support these policies.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to report back on the results of the Green
Streets Canada competition and to specifically seek Council's approval
for further funding to proceed with the joint funding of the Tree
Voucher Program.
BACKGROUND
In September 1995, following a resolution by Council, the City applied
for federal funding for tree planting through the Green Streets Canada
Program. Various City departments, along with the Board of Parks and
Recreation and the School Board, applied for matching funding for five
different projects: Shade the Children and Remnant Woodlands from the
Park Board, a School Grounds Enhancement project from the School Board,
and a Tree Voucher Program and Ridgeway greenway tree planting from City
departments. The City committed to $25,000 funding for the latter two
projects.
On December 18, 1995, the City received word from the Chairman of the
Tree Canada Foundation that the City was awarded $30,000. This was much
less than the $75,000 for which the City applied but other major
municipalities were unsuccessful in receiving any funding from this
competition.
Of the five submitted projects by the City, three specifically received
funding by Green Streets Canada: Shade the Children, Remnant Woodlands
and the Tree Voucher Program. The Selection Committee felt that these
three programs would have the greatest impact, given that their
resources for the region were not adequate to contribute to all five
requested tree planting programs.
The first two programs, Shade the Children and Remnant Woodlands, both
to be administered by the Board of Parks and Recreation, received their
full funding request of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. The third
selected project, Tree Voucher Program, was funded to $25,000, being
$5,000 less than applied for in the application. Park Board staff will
proceed with the first two projects as proposed. The Tree Voucher
Program requires further consideration due to its shortfall in funding.
DISCUSSION
The Tree Voucher Program is a pilot project that targets private gardens
as tree planting sites, stimulating owners to increase planting on
private property. The program is a cost-sharing partnership between the
public, participating British Columbia Nursery Trade Association (BCNTA)
members, the Green Streets Canada Program of the Tree Canada Foundation
and the City of Vancouver.
The Tree Voucher Program received $25,000, $5,000 short of the City's
$30,000 application to Green Streets Canada. Since the City has already
committed $10,000 to the Ridgeway greenway project that was part of the
original group of projects that applied for funding, but not awarded
funds, there is an opportunity to top-up the shortfall in the Tree
Voucher Program by shifting $5,000 of the commitment in the Ridgeway
greenway to the Tree Voucher Program. This would maintain the quantity
of trees for the program and support the commitment of the participating
nurseries. The additional trees could also be earmarked for planting on
private property along the Ridgeway greenway.
The City has two choices:
1. Keep the City's commitment to the Tree Voucher Program limited to
$15,000, thereby reducing the total number of trees to 2,665 and
reducing the commitment of both the public and the participating
nurseries. The net loss of trees from the original program is 335,
while the net loss in program commitment by the public and
participating nurseries is $13,375.
MAINTAIN CITY'S COMMITMENT AND REDUCE PROGRAM TO 2,665 TREES
FUNDING SOURCE COST PER TREE TOTAL COST
Property Owner $10 voucher cost $26,650 (2,665 trees)
Participating Nursery $15 minimum $39,975 minimum
Green Streets $9.38 $25,000
City of Vancouver $5.62 $15,000 (the same)
TOTAL PROJECT COST $40 per tree $106,625 minimum
2. Maintain the 3,000 tree planting program by contributing an
additional $5,000, thereby compensating for the $5,000 shortfall in
the award by Green Streets Canada. This would result in supporting
the planting of 3,000 trees and a total budget of $120,000. The
property owners and the British Columbia Nursery Trades Association
participating nurseries would maintain their proposed significant
levels of contribution based on 3,000 trees.
INCREASE CITY'S FUNDING COMMITMENT AND MAINTAIN 3,000 TREE
VOUCHER PROGRAM
FUNDING SOURCE COST PER TREE TOTAL COST
Property Owner $10 voucher cost $30,000 (3,000 trees)
Participating Nursery $15 minimum $45,000 minimum
Green Streets $8.33 $25,000
City of Vancouver $6.67 $20,000 (increased by
$5,000)
TOTAL PROJECT COST $40 per tree $120,000 minimum
Further details on the origin, purpose and implementation of the Tree
Voucher Program are contained in Appendix A.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATIONS
The funding from the Federal Green Streets Canada Program will help
achieve important environmental benefits for Vancouver's urban forest.
The Tree Voucher Program will encourage tree planting on private
property where no program currently exists. Environmental awareness and
education will also be a valuable part of this program that will
influence all age groups and affect the whole city. The funding will
also support unique tree planting partnerships between the public, the
B.C. Nursery Trades Association and the City.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The City has a choice to increase its commitment by $5,000 to the Tree
Voucher Program from $15,000 to $20,000, to maintain the 3,000 tree
planting program. The original City commitment of $10,000 to the
Ridgeway greenway could be partially shifted to the Tree Voucher
Program, since the latter program was funded by Greens Streets Canada
and the Ridgeway greenway was not. Alternatively, the City can maintain
its original commitment of $15,000 which would reduce the number of
trees to 2,665 and the overall commitment from $120,000 to $106,625.
The source of the City's portion of the funding for each of these two
alternatives will be the Contingency Reserve.
CONCLUSIONS
Green Streets Canada has awarded the City of Vancouver a total of
$30,000 for three tree planting programs. Of those three programs, the
Tree Voucher Program fell short in funding awarded by $5,000. Instead
of the $30,000 requested, the City received $25,000. There are two
choices for the City: to increase its commitment from $15,000 to
$20,000 to compensate for the shortfall and maintain the commitment to
plant 3,000 trees; or maintain its $15,000 commitment and reduce the
planting program to 2,665 trees.
The preferred option would maintain the number of trees to be planted in
the Tree Voucher Program, and simply transfer $5,000 from the Ridgeway
greenway commitment that was not funded by the Green Streets
Competition. The additional trees could be targeted for private
properties along the Ridgeway greenway to maintain a similar intent to
the original commitment.
This is an important environmental partnership program for the City as
it directly supports the nurturing of the urban forest on private
property through a tree planting program. The associated promotion and
education focused on individual property will put environmental
stewardship into the hands of our citizens. They will help reforest and
beautify our city through planting trees in their own gardens.
* * *
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS APPENDIX A
Page 1 of 3
1. Tree Voucher Program
This project idea is based on the City's successful composter
program and the more recently approved rain barrel program.
This pilot project would target private gardens as potential
tree planting sites. The City has a comprehensive street
planting program on City property. The Private Property Tree
By-law ensures that new trees are planted on private property
when trees are removed to accommodate new development.
However, there is very little incentive or even encouragement
for tree planting on private property where no trees currently
exist. This program focuses on this latter situation.
The benefit to Vancouver would be in the promotional value of
planting trees throughout the city in areas of need, as
perceived by the owners themselves, and by making trees of a
reasonable size available to those who are perhaps less likely
to be able to afford them or are otherwise unlikely to
consider planting a tree as a priority.
This program is a partnership between members of the public,
participating British Columbia Nursery Trades Association
(BCNTA) members, the Federal Green Streets Program of the Tree
Canada Foundation and the City of Vancouver. The recommended
program would share subsidization of the cost of 3,000 trees
for Vancouver property owners to promote responsible tree
planting in Vancouver. Interested property owners could
purchase a tree voucher for $10 from the City with a limit of
one tree per property. The voucher can be redeemed at a
participating nursery for a tree of a minimum value of $40.
If the City maintains the recommended 3,000 tree planting
program and therefore increases its subsidy from $15,000 to
$20,000, its share of the $40 would be $6.67, while the
federal Green Streets Program would contribute $8.33 and the
participating nursery $15.
All trees that are part of the Tree Voucher Program are to be
planted by residents. Promotional materials and
administration costs will be nominal. The property owner can
supplement the difference in cost between a more expensive
tree and the value of the voucher, depending on the policy of
the participating nursery.
This program will be coordinated by the Senior Landscape
Architect in the Planning Department, Finance Department staff
and Communications Division staff in co-operation with the
Board of Parks and Recreation. It will be administered
through the Finance Department with vouchers sold at City
Hall, Board of Parks and Recreation offices and community
centres.
APPENDIX A
Page 2 of 3
2. Shade the Children
With the increase in harmful UV rays penetrating our
atmosphere, it becomes increasingly important to provide
refuge for children and attendant adults in high use public
areas. Thirteen playgrounds in parks across the city have
been identified by the Board of Parks and Recreation's
Operations staff as being in need of shade trees. The number
of species of trees would vary according to the site. Large
calliper trees will be used to minimize the impact of
vandalism. Communities surrounding the playgrounds would be
approached for their input into the project and invited to
participate in the planting and watering of the trees.
The proposed playgrounds include: Sunrise, Grays, Oak,
Tecumseh, Douglas, Kaslo, Price, Kensington, Cartier, McLean,
Ross, George, and Sunset.
Participation through Green Streets Canada funding for this
program was approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation on
September 26, 1994 and would be administered by Park Board
staff.
Material cost requirements are as follows:
Trees (35) $3,600
Stakes, ties and soil amendments $ 900
Total material $4,500
In-kind costs for the trees include:
Administration/communication $1,000
Assistance in planting $1,500
Watering bi-weekly in the first year $ 500
Young tree culture (pruning, stake removal) $ 200
Total In-kind $3,200
Note: Only $1,500 of in-kind costs qualify for matching
funding, none of which include any ongoing maintenance of the
trees.
Park Board $1,500 cash
$3,200 in-kind services
Green Streets $3,000
TOTAL $7,700
APPENDIX A
Page 3 of 3
3. Remnant Woodlands
A report produced by an outside consultant identified eight
remnant woodland areas under the management of the Park Board.
These areas are on parkland that contain scrub brush and
short-lived Alder trees, and can benefit substantially by
reintroducing native trees. Small "test" projects have been
carried out in two of these sites to evaluate the feasibility
of community involvement in planting trees in these areas.
Two remnant woodland sites -- Jericho Park and Captain Cook
(54th Avenue and Champlain Crescent) -- are proposed as
projects appropriate for the Green Streets Canada Program
grant. Schools and local community groups would be invited to
assist in the planting and maintenance of indigenous trees in
these two sites.
Participation through Green Streets Canada funding for this
program was approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation on
September 26, 1994 and would be administered by Park Board
staff.
Material costs include:
1,000 native trees $3,000
Total material $3,000
In-kind costs consist of:
Brushing area in advance $ 500
Administration/promotion $ 500
Assistance at planting time $ 700
Follow-up brushing (once per year for two years) $1,000
Total In-kind $2,700
Note: Only $1,000 of in-kind costs qualify for matching funding,
none of which include any ongoing maintenance of the trees.
Park Board $1,000 cash
$2,700 in-kind services
Green Streets $2,000
Total $5,700