Logansport to pursue urban tree planting cohort; $3,700 host fee would bring inventory, 100 trees and two years of care

City staff asked the council to approve applying for an urban green‑infrastructure cohort program that would assign a graduate student intern to inventory Logansport’s trees, map canopy coverage and recommend prioritized planting locations.

Aaron and Erin (city staff) described the program’s structure: the program would assign an intern to the city after a successful application; the intern and program team would perform an inventory and canopy assessment across city property, then recommend where to plant trees. Staff said planting is limited to eligibility areas shown on the program map, and the program would deliver about 100 trees in total. According to staff, the program provides for 25 trees to be planted in a public event and for a contractor (at the program’s cost) to plant the remaining roughly 75 trees in locations chosen from the assessment.

Staff emphasized the local cost: the host fee is $3,700, described in the packet as the all‑in financial obligation for the city. The program, staff said, would provide two years of follow‑up and maintenance for the planted trees (including watering and mulching) as part of the internship and course work, and staff estimated the program’s on‑site work and followup represent the equivalent of roughly $15,000 in labor and materials handled by the program provider. City staff said the city would need to supply a local supervisor for the intern, estimated at 5–7 hours per week while the intern is active; staff discussed dividing that supervisory time across multiple staff or volunteers.

Council members asked whether residents, volunteers or schools could be incorporated into the planting events; staff said the program is flexible on volunteer involvement and could coordinate with schools or local partners. Staff noted the program is not traditional reimbursement grant funding — the $3,700 host fee is paid up front (staff cautioned that the invoice could arrive before the end of the year), and the program covers planting expenses and contractor costs beyond that fee.

Council members present expressed tentative support for moving forward and asked staff to identify a funding source. One council member said they would look at the council’s miscellaneous funds to cover the $3,700 host fee; another offered to serve as or help identify a supervisor. No formal vote was recorded at the meeting; staff said they would place the item on a future agenda with a recommended funding source.

Ending: Staff will prepare an agenda item and funding recommendation for the council to authorize the host fee and accept the program if council wants to proceed. City staff will identify potential supervisors and confirm timetable and invoice timing with the program administrator.