title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the North Carolina Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program Grant
body
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Department: |
Asset & Property Management |
Meeting Date: |
8/4/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Sally Thigpen |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-0078 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Grant Award Letter: Attachment #3: Map of Project Area |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Resolution is to authorize the City Manager to accept the North Carolina Forest Service (“NCFS”) Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant for a street tree inventory, tree planting and maintenance, and a tree planting plan for $1,475,982 with no match required.
BACKGROUND:
The North Carolina Forest Service grant is a no-match assistance package designed to help municipalities that have achieved Tree City USA standards meet tree maintenance and planting needs. The award includes assistance for a street tree inventory to identify tree maintenance needs and vacant planting sites, develop a multiyear planting plan, and fund contracted tree maintenance and planting. The project must occur in the Inflation Reduction Act project areas, which represent 36% of the city.
The City manages an estimated 40,000 street trees. In 2023, City Council adopted the Urban Forestry Master Plan (“UFMP”), which identifies a street tree inventory as the top priority. A street tree inventory provides numerous benefits for urban forest management, including data analysis for tree species composition, condition assessment, maintenance, and planting plan and management software.
By identifying and addressing trees that pose the highest risk, the inventory helps reduce liability and improve community safety. Proactive maintenance lowers per-tree pruning costs compared to reactive pruning following emergencies or storm damage. Regular pruning also promotes strong tree structure, making trees less susceptible to storm-related failures and reducing future maintenance expenses. Additionally, an inventory improves customer service by minimizing tree-related service requests by identifying the highest priorities. Beyond cost and safety advantages, it also supports a healthy, sustainable, and equitable urban forest by ensuring consistent care for all public trees, rather than only those flagged by complaints or requests. It will also result in a more strategic street tree planting program with all available tree planting sites identified and a planting plan based on areas of highest need.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
None. There is no required match.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended to authorize the City Manager to accept the North Carolina Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program Grant for $1,475,982.