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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 23669: MOU, PORT ARTHUR AND SABINE NECHES CHAPTER OF TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST, PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF NATIVE POLLINATORS City of or/ rtltrtr www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: March 12, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, City Manager From: George Davis, Director of Pleasure Island RE: P. R.No. 23669—Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sabine- Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist and the City of Port Arthur to grow public awareness of the benefits of native pollinators Introduction: The intent of this agenda item is to seek the City Council's authorization to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist of Orange, Texas, to educate the public about the importance of pollinators. Background: An MOU is required to establish a partnership between the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist and the City to establish a collaborative working partnership that fosters collaboration between the two parties to the extent that such coordination is consistent with applicable laws,regulations,and policies,to support their respective missions and to achieve the parties' common aim to benefit native pollinators and to grow public awareness of the benefits of native pollinators. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Memorandum of Understanding with the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist of Orange,Texas,to educate the public about the importance of pollinators. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743 P.R. 23669 3/12/24 gd RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH SABINE-NECHES CHAPTER OF TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST OF ORANGE, TEXAS, TO INSTALL A POLLINATOR GARDEN ADJACENT TO THE BIRD BLIND ON PLEASURE ISLAND. WHEREAS, Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist is an organization with a mission to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas;and WHEREAS,the organization would like to grow public awareness of the benefits of native pollinators; and WHEREAS, the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist is hereby requesting the City Council's approval of the utilization of the land adjacent to the Bird Blind located on Pleasure Island at 1901 West T. B. Ellison Pkwy, Port Arthur, Texas for the installation of a pollinator garden; and WHEREAS, Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist of Orange, Texas, will install a four-foot by eight-foot pollinator garden containing native plants; and WHEREAS, this MOU will grow public awareness of the benefits of native pollinators with no budgetary impact; and WHEREAS, this MOU shall remain in in effect unless amended or terminated by either party upon sixty days of notice to the other party; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR. TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. P. R. 23669 3/12/24 gd Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist and the City of Port Arthur, in substantially the same form attached hereto as Exhibit "A", to educate the public about the importance of pollinators at no budgetary cost to the City; and, Section 3. That the City Council designates and establishes the area for the pollinator garden to be that certain area known as the Bird Blind, located at 1901 West T. B. Ellison Pkwy, Port Arthur,Texas as depicted and described in Exhibit`B"attached hereto and made a part hereof. Section 4. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED THIS day of , 2024 at a Regular Meeting of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote: AYES: (Mayor) ; Councilmembers: Noes: Thurman Bill Bartie Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary P. R. 23669 3/12/24 gd APPROVED AS TO FORM: J.tr . Black In erim City Attorney APPROVED TO ADMINISTRATION: Ronald City a age George D s Director of Pleasure Island L✓ Clifton Williams, CPPB Purchasing Manager P. R. 23669 3/12/24 gd Exhibit "A" Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Port Arthur and Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist 1. Purpose The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) is to provide the cooperative framework for the City of Port Arthur(Garden Host) and the Sabine-Neches Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN-SNC)to install a pollinator garden. 2. Parties The parties in this MOU are the Garden Host and TMN-SNC. Nothing in the MOU shall obligate either party to the commitment of any funds. 3.Goals and Objectives The goal of the MOU is to establish a collaborative working partnership that fosters collaboration between the two parties to the extent that such coordination is consistent with applicable laws, regulations,and policies,to support their respective missions and to achieve the parties'common aim to benefit native pollinators and to grow public awareness of the benefits of native pollinators. 4.Garden specifics: a. Location: Bird blind area at Pleasure Island b. Size:4 foot by 8 foot c. Material:Concrete blocks d. Installation time frame:Spring 2024 5. Ideal location for a pollinator garden a. Sunshine: Full direct sun for most of the day. b.Water: Native plants will survive Southeast Texas weather conditions once established. But young plants need regular watering during their first year to get firmly established. When there is insufficient rain during the first year,the garden must be manually watered. c. Public access: Both parties agree to the objective of helping pollinators and educating the public about the importance of pollinators. Due to being in a public space, both parties should be aware that some individual fears of insects,such as bees, may arise. For this reason,the location should be far enough away from foot traffic in areas such as parking lots, building entrances,sidewalks,etc.This will give the public the choice of how close they should be in proximity to the garden. 6.Overview of TMN Sabine Neches Chapter The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education,outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas. 7.Responsibilities of the Parties Per availability of resources,both parties shall be responsible for the goals and activities cited in this agreement,and shall contribute to this partnership,as appropriate. 8.Garden Host Responsibilities 1. Ensure that all officials in the organization are aware of the garden and acknowledge that bees and insects will be attracted to this garden. For example: In a city park,the project should be signed off by any and all that need to do so, up to and including the city council. 2. Ensure that all ground crew members working in the area understand the purpose of the pollinator garden.There will be lots of(friendly) bees and at times ugly looking plants. a. No weed-control spraying of any kind. b. No insect-control spraying of any kind. c. No weed-whacking or trimming of plants inside the garden box. d. No removal of plants or weeds from inside the garden box. 3. Report any signs of vandalism,damage, of other concerns to the Master Naturalists. 9.TMN-SNC Responsibilities 1. Construction of a raised garden; line the bottom with cardboard as a weed block; and fill it with good garden soil. 2. A week or so later, plant a variety of native plants of varying color and height,topped with pine needle mulch. 3. Place an informational sign on the garden, explaining the importance of native plants. It will include a TMN web address and a QR code so visitors can get more information on pollinators. 4. During the first spring/summer, regular monitoring and watering(as needed) of the garden. 5.Once or twice a year, a group will visit to weed, remove dead plants,add mulch, replace signs if needed, etc. 10. Both parties will: 1. Meet or correspond periodically to review the status and progress of this MOU. 2. Notify designated points of contact(POCs) regarding upcoming garden workdays, changes or any issues related to the garden. 3.Track progress of the garden and the garden's public outreach to the extent practicable and to report on areas of achievement and enhancement. 4. Identify future opportunities and programs where members of TMN-SNC can participate in public outreach and education. 11. Points of Contact Both parties will designate POCs within their respective organizations to implement the MOU. The POCs will direct and coordinate partnership activities to ensure that mutual benefits and interests are served. 12. Periodic Review Representatives of both parties will annually review,on or around the anniversary date of this MOU,the progress in the implementation of the MOU. This MOU shall remain in effect unless amended or terminated by the parties. Amendments must be agreed to by both parties.This MOU may be terminated at any time by either party upon sixty(60) days of notice to the other party. 13.Costs Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring either party or its officers and/or members to expend funds on behalf of the purpose, objectives,and responsibilities set forth in this MOU,except as specifically agreed to in writing by the signatories or the organizations they represent. , 14. Effective Date The terms of this MOU will become effective on the date of the last signature by the parties and will remain in effect until terminated by either party as specified in Section 12. 15. Modification Amendments must be bilaterally executed in writing, signed by authorized representatives of both parties. No oral or unilateral amendments will be effective. Only terminations in accordance with the terms of this agreement may be done unilaterally. 16.Other Provisions This MOU does not create a legal partnership or joint venture and neither party has the authority to bind the other. 17.Signatures This MOU shall become effective on behalf of the parties by signature of the undersigned: (Name) Date City of Port Arthur Sharon Jackson, President Date Sabine-Neches Chapter,Texas Master Naturalist P. R. 23669 3/12/24 gd Exhibit "B" • G IIP / Y ' k F may' d° , A" r g,° ad sx " ; . 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