Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
04/28/2015
Agenda Report # 104
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Society of Municipal Arborists Internship Program
INITIATED BY: Department of Public Works, 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 Works Urban Forestry Division for ten (10) weeks. 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 $367.20
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 $367.20 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 ten
(10) weeks at 40 hours per week (no overtime). Salary will be set at $12.00 a
hour for a total of $4,800. CCG will fund a local match in the amount of
$367.20, 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 $367.20.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The total cost to the CCG for
calendar year 2015 will be $367.20.
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 amend the Multi-Governmental
Fund to reflect the receipt of US Forest Service grant in the amount of $6,000
and a CCG match in the amount of $367.20.
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 AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND.
WHEREAS, the Columbus 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 2015; 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
$367.20 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 $367.20.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________ 2015, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
________________________________
_________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council , Mayor
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