Port Clinton council approves $750,000-plus federal urban-forestry grant to fund tree plantings

Port Clinton City Council voted 6–0 on May 26 to adopt Resolution 26-4, authorizing the city to resume activities under its Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant.

Auditor Gabe Below told council the grant balance “is over $750,000, with no City cost share,” and that federal reimbursements will be made monthly, minimizing the risk of funding disruption. Below said the money will fund tree plantings and a long‑term tree management plan; he clarified the grant covers contractors to buy and plant trees and does not include funds for the city to purchase maintenance equipment.

The resolution passed on a voice-roll call after Below urged prompt approval so the city would not forfeit those federal dollars. Councilmembers who voted in favor were Jerry Tarolli, Cathy King, Avery Robinson, Carmen Daft, Richard Morgan and Beth Gillman; Pat Hovis was excused.

The auditor said the grant work will include downtown street trees as part of a larger management plan. He also said staff will prepare an education piece for property owners about the program and whether they want trees on their property. The grant reimbursement process, Below said, has been confirmed with the federal partner and is expected to be monthly despite earlier federal interruptions referenced in the resolution.

The council did not attach new local costs to the award. Below advised the $750,000-plus balance will be used via contracts for tree purchase and planting only; he told council there are no city equipment purchases included in the grant award.

Next steps: the council approved the resolution and the city will resume grant activities and begin implementation steps, including public outreach to property owners. No implementation timeline beyond those procedural next steps was specified during the meeting.