Committee endorses $250,000 neighborhood climate-resilience grant program

The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted May 21 to forward Ordinance 2025‑142 to the full council with a recommendation to approve the creation of a nondepartmental line item to provide grants for neighborhood climate-resilience projects.

Laura Thomas, director of the Office of Sustainability, told the committee the program is in its second year and is aimed at funding community-based organizations for on-the-ground resilience efforts such as food access, tree planting, stormwater reduction and water-quality improvements. "This is the second year of a continuing grant program offered through the Office of Sustainability, particularly aimed at ensuring we can fund community based organizations and implementing neighborhood level climate resilience projects," Thomas said.

Thomas said the office received numerous applications totaling more than $1.4 million in requests; the ordinance would provide $250,000 in FY25. She noted the program was funded in its first year with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars at $865,000 and that the FY26 proposed budget includes $150,000 for the program.

The committee held a public hearing; no members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance. A motion to forward the ordinance to council with a recommendation to approve passed with the committee members present recorded voting "aye." Committee members asked about outreach; Thomas said the office improved its review process, provided Spanish-language materials and held community events.

Ending: The ordinance will go to the full council for final action; staff recommended selected community organizations will receive grants following council approval.