The ordinance allows the Department of Public Works to accept a $12 million grant for tree planting and urban forestry workforce development in disadvantaged communities from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2029. It also adds three grant-funded positions to support this program.
Ordinance retroactively authorizing the Department of Public Works to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $12,000,000 from the Urban and Community Forest Program of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to fund the Department of Public Works’ Justice, Jobs, and Trees Program, that will include tree planting, tree establishment, and urban forestry workforce development in disadvantaged communities for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029; and retroactively amending Ordinance No. 167-24 (the Interim Annual Salary Ordinance for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 (File No. 240594)) and the Annual Salary Ordinance for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 (File No. 240596) to provide for the addition of one grant-funded position of Class 1312 Public Information Officer (FTE 1.0), one grant-funded position of Class 1823 Senior Administrative Analyst (FTE 1.0), and one grant-funded position of Class 3435 Urban Forestry Inspector (FTE 1.0) for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
How it got here
The legislation originated from the need to enhance urban forestry in disadvantaged communities, prompted by the Inflation Reduction Act's funding opportunities.
The USDA's Urban and Community Forest Program released a Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Inflation Reduction Act, aiming to support tree planting and related activities.
The Department of Public Works submitted an application for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant for the Justice, Jobs, and Trees project, aiming to plant 3,500 street trees in disadvantaged communities.
The USDA notified San Francisco of a $12,000,000 award to fund the Justice, Jobs, and Trees project from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
Public Works submitted an ordinance to the Board of Supervisors to accept and expend the USDA grant, including amendments to the Annual Salary Ordinance for new positions.
The Budget and Finance Committee recommended the ordinance for approval to accept and expend the grant.
The Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance, authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of the grant and the addition of new positions.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
