Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
February 28, 2012
Agenda Report # 016
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Society of Municipal Arborists Internship Program
INITIATED BY: Department of Public Services, Urban Forestry Division
Recommendation: Approval is requested to execute a Program Agreement with the
Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) to provide a summer internship in CCG?s
Department of Public Services Urban Forestry Division for ten (10) weeks,
beginning May 21, 2012 and ending approximately on July 27, 2012. The
Multi-Governmental fund would be amended to reflect the receipt of a grant from
the US Forest Service in the amount of $4,800, to be matched by a CCG grant in
the amount of $368.
Background: CCG shall provide temporary employment to a summer Intern recruited
by SMA. The Intern will work 10 weeks under the supervision of the City
Arborist. CCG will not be responsible for any expenses accrued by Urban/
Community Forestry Intern such as travel from home, salary, living expenses
while working for the city. SMA will fund the $4,800 necessary to pay the
Intern's salary for the 10 week period through a US Forest Service grant. CCG
will be responsible for providing a local match of $368 to fund employer's
share of the FICA obligation on the Intern's salary. CCG is not bound by this
Contract until it is approved by the appropriate City official(s) indicated on
the signature page of the Contract. This Contract may be modified only by a
written amendment, which has been executed and approved by the appropriate
parties as indicated on the signature page of this Contract. If the SMA fails
to perform properly its obligations under this Contract or violates any term of
this Contract, CCG shall have the right to terminate this Contract immediately
and receive payment for any expenses accrued for employment of said intern.
Analysis: SMA in conjunction with Texas A&M University facilitates an
internship program funded by a US Forest Service Grant. Host Cities are chosen
throughout the country and applicants must meet their required standards to
apply for the internship program. Once chosen, interviews are conducted,
criteria for Cities as well as the interns are matched up based on a scale that
maximizes the utilization of the program.
Financial Considerations: SMA will reimburse the CCG for the amount of 10 weeks
@ 40 hours per week (no overtime) salary will be set at $12.00 an hour for a
total of $4,800.00. CCG will fund a local match in the amount of $368 to fund
the employer?s FICA obligation on the intern?s salary. The multi governmental
fund would be amended to reflect receipt of a grant in the amount of $4,800
from the US Forest Service, and a match from CCG in the amount of $368.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The total cost to the CCG for
calendar year 2012 will be $368.
Legal Considerations: Council approval is required to execute agreement.
Recommendations/Actions: Approve a resolution authorizing execution of an
agreement with SMA for the internship program, and amending the
multi-governmental fund to reflect the receipt of a US Forest Services grant in
the amount of $4,800 and a CCG match in the amount of $368.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO EXECUTE A PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF
AN URBAN/COMMUNITY FORESTRY INTERN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL
ARBORISTS AND AMENDING THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND.
WHEREAS, the Columbus Georgia Consolidated Government (CCG) desires to enter
into a program agreement with the society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) in order
for the CCG to provide a position for an intern in CCG?s Urban Forestry
Division of the Department of Public Works for ten weeks of 40 hours each
during the summer of 2012; and,
WHEREAS, the SMA is willing to provide funding from a US Forestry Service grant
in the amount of $4,800 to reimburse the CCG for all salary paid to the intern
by the CCG; and,
WHEREAS, CCG is willing to provide match funding in the amount of $368 in order
to fund the employer?s portion of the interns FICA taxes; and,
WHEREAS, both parties are in agreement with the terms of the attached Program
Agreement in order to create an internship position with CCG and provide for
its funding by SMA.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into the attached
Program Agreement with the Society of Municipal Arborists, and the
Multi-Governmental fund will be amended to reflect the receipt of a grant of
$4,800 from the US Forestry Service with a match required from CCG of $368.00.
The total obligation of CCG for entire agreement the City for calendar
year 2012, the year of execution of the contract, shall be not more than
$368.00.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2012 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_________________________________
_________________________
Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa
Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments