THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING AND BUILDING PERMITTING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
During board discussion of Item No. 10 from the January 28th, 2014 Commission Meeting, staff was asked to explore financial resources, such as the Tree Preservation Trust Fund, to offer low-income childcare facilities assistance with meeting the requirements of the new childcare licensing Ordinance, including facilitating outdoor activities by improving their outdoor spaces through installation of landscaping and trees.
Currently, access to the Tree Preservation Trust Fund is limited to public and non-profit organizations and funds may only be used to plant trees on public lands or provide Countywide tree giveaways. In addition, the Countywide “Legacy” portion of the Tree Preservation Trust Fund is currently financed solely by unincorporated Broward County projects and interest payments on the principal balance. The following Code changes would be required to allow low-income childcare facilities access to the Tree Preservation Trust Fund:
1. Amend Section 27-413(d) of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (Code) to allow Tree Preservation Trust Fund monies to be used to plant trees on private properties that contain low-income childcare facilities. The Code currently reads: “Trust funds shall be expended for the planting of trees on public lands in Broward County.”
2. Amend Section 27-413(e)(4) of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to allow Tree Preservation Trust Fund contributions received from any Broward County Government or Broward County School Board owned project to be allocated to the Countywide “Legacy” fund regardless of the municipality in which the facility is located. The Code currently reads: “Contributions received as a condition of a tree removal license in a particular municipality shall be used within that municipality unless use of said funds is waived by the municipality.”
3. Amend Section 27.187.a of the Broward County Administrative Code to allow low-income childcare facilities to apply for funding. The Administrative Code currently reads: “Any Broward County municipality, Broward County agency, or other governmental agency, civic association, beautification committee, or other nonprofit organization may make a written request for funding to EPGMD.”
A motion to adopt a Resolution to amend the Broward County Administrative Code for Item No. 3 from the above list will be prepared to coincide with the motion to enact an Ordinance amending the Broward County Code of Ordinances for Item Nos. 1 and 2 from the above list. |