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PL10K. C) PAGE <br />E. Newborn_ Seedling_ Pilot Project <br />The Board reviewed the following memo dated 11/27/91: <br />TO: James E. Chandler <br />County Administrator <br />DEPARTMENT HEAD CONCURRENCE: <br />Obert M. K a i , Alpf <br />.:Community Develotmen irector <br />FROM: Roland DeBlois,PAICP <br />Chief, Environmental Planning <br />DATE: November <br />RE: Newborn <br />27, 1991 <br />Seedling Pilot Project <br />It is requested that the data presented herein be given formal <br />consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at their regular <br />meeting of December 10, 1991. <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: <br />In February 1991, fifth grader Ashlee Smith of Thompson Elementary <br />School sent a letter to the City of Vero Beach and Indian River <br />County, suggesting that the city and county initiate a program <br />...whereby a tree would be planted each time a baby is born in Indian <br />.River County.. <br />Since the initial correspondence, the Vero Beach Tree Commission <br />has studied the feasibility of a newborn seedling project. In <br />contacting' Indian River Memorial Hospital (IRMH) personnel, *the <br />..Commission 'found that the hospital would be willing to issue a <br />certificate to the parents of newborns, whereby the certificate <br />could be turned in at an annual Tree Commission seedling sale for <br />a free seedling. <br />IRMH newborn records indicate that roughly +1000 babies are born at <br />the hospital annually. Tree seedlings for the project can be <br />obtained for a cost of 50 cents each, through the Urban Forester. <br />Using* a conservative 1200 newborn estimate, a one year pilot <br />program would therefore cost $600. <br />The Tree Commission has requested that Indian River County <br />contribute half ($300) toward a first year pilot newborn seedling <br />project, to'be implemented starting in January,1992. The program <br />would be implemented by the Tree Commission, in coordination with <br />IRMH. <br />ALTERNATIVES''AND ANALYSIS: <br />A separate account number (iD-uuu-so4-uui.00) has been allocated <br />by the county for tree protection ordinance violation fines. The <br />present balance of the account is $4,000. Use of the account funds <br />as the source of a $300 contribution toward the newborn seedling <br />pilot project would be appropriate, serving the mitigation of <br />protected tree losses. If the pilot program is successful, staff <br />would recommend continued use of the referenced account to <br />contribute to the program on a yearly basis. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Staff recommend that the Board of County Commissioners authorize <br />the use of $300 from account number 117-000-354-001.00 for one half <br />cost contribution toward a newborn seedling pilot project. <br />8 <br />