CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: December 20, 2019
Agenda Date: January 8, 2020
Prepared By: Charlene Neuterman, Deputy Community Services Director
Through: John A. Titkanich, Jr., AICP, ICMA-CM
Requested Action:
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City Council support of a Historic Cocoa Village Main Street (HCVMS) grant application to Keep Brevard Beautiful for a HCVMS project creating a butterfly garden; and authorize the City to support the maintenance of a butterfly garden in Riverfront Park.
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BACKGROUND:
At the December Historic Cocoa Village Main Street (HCVMS) meeting with City Staff, HCVMS members presented a Keep Brevard Beautiful grant opportunity that the organization is interested in applying for to restore and enhance the butterfly sculpture area immediately behind the Historic Porcher House. HCVMS members would prepare and submit the grant to Keep Brevard Beautiful.
As noted in their grant synopsis, the HCVMS members are pursuing a grant for up to $2,000 from Keep Brevard Beautiful. The match is a 1:1 requirement and HCVMS would contribute funds and use eligible volunteer hours to fulfill the match requirement. As part of the grant application, HCVMS is required to provide a written assurance and maintenance plan for a two-year period for the butterfly garden. Since the butterfly garden is located on City property, HCVMS members are requesting the City partner with them to complete this project. HCVMS is not asking for a monetary contribution for this grant project. HCVMS is requesting permission to complete the grant application, using a site that is located on City property. In addition, they are requesting Staff provide the following if awarded the grant:
• Evaluation of the irrigation needs and potential improvements to create and maintain a successful butterfly garden
• Guidance from Public Works in the choice of plants
• Support from City Staff as volunteers on the planting day
• Access to mulch and plants if necessary
• Administrative support - during the application process and during the grant period (sign off, financial information to calculate in-kind donations and establish budget).
The deadline to apply for the grant is January 14, 2020. HCVMS are in the process of completing all the necessary applications/documents for the submittal of the grant. If awarded, the grant timeframe is as follows:
• March 13, 2020 - notification to grant recipients
• March 27, 2020 - signed contracts due
• June 8, 2020 - project deadline
• June 18, 2020 - deadline for requests for reimbursement
• June 24-26 - tour of completed projects
This project is an environmentally friendly initiative that the City can support as part of their Sustainability Action Plan. The butterfly garden can be a demonstration garden for growing Florida Friendly plants and would be an excellent opportunity to educate the students in our community about the environment.
Staff is requesting City Council support of this grant application as well as authorizing Staff to assist HCVMS in pre- and post-award grant activities.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
This agenda relates to the Strategic Plan Connection for the Environment. This project encourages the use of Florida Friendly Landscaping that is an important sustainability initiative.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
There are no budgetary needs for the project except possible Staff time to assist with the project. Staff will be responsible for future maintenance of the garden and future budgetary requirements may be necessary.
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
City Council support of a Historic Cocoa Village Main Street (HCVMS) grant application to Keep Brevard Beautiful for a HCVMS project creating a butterfly garden; and authorize the City to support the maintenance of a butterfly garden in Riverfront Park.