Discussion and Consideration of Approving a Professional Service Agreement with Samara Natural Resources Consulting for the Urban Forestry Development Grant and Council Action as Needed — K-4

July 15, 2026 Ashley Platz Assistant City Administrator City of Tiffin Submitted via email: [email protected] Dear Ms. Platz, Samara Natural Resources Consulting is pleased to submit the following proposal at your request, providing the City of Tiffin with assistance fulfilling the components of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Urban Forestry Development Grant. Outlined in this proposal is a Scope of Services estimated Cost and Timeline. Urban Forestry Grant Project Overview The City of Tiffin has been successful in securing an IDNR Urban Forestry Development Grant through the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act. The City of Tiffin’s grant submission proposes a coordinated urban forestry initiative focused on long-term planning, building internal staffing capacity, improving public safety and tree health through proactive roadway pruning, and strategic new tree planting in high-use community spaces. As one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities, the City of Tiffin recognizes the need to proactively manage its tree canopy to ensure that public spaces remain safe, healthy, shaded, and resilient. SCOPE OF SERVICES Urban Forestry Plan Development Samara will work with staff throughout the planning process to develop goals, gather information and review industry best management practices to implement, as needed, and incorporate them into a comprehensive urban forest management plan. Samara will work with the City of Tiffin to prepare a management plan, which will include: ● Species diversity guidelines ● Canopy coverage goals ● Maintenance pruning cycles ● Planting strategies ● Invasive species management ● Policy Review ● Planning priorities ● A 10-20 year budgeting and implementation roadmap. It is Samara’s understanding that a public tree inventory and management plan was formerly completed in 2014 by the IDNR and will be updated in 2027 by the IDNR. Samara will work with the IDNR to utilize updates and recommendations of the GIS-based tree inventory. In addition to completion of the management plan, Samara will take part in two (2) Public Meetings and one (1) Arbor Day Tree Planting Event in an effort to support public outreach of plan implementation. Task 1 – Planning-Inventory-Outreach Estimated Task Items Description Cost Urban Forestry Management Management, Maintenance and Planting Plan development $12,000 Plan Urban Tree Inventory Assist with updating and analysis of GIS-based tree inventory $3,000 Canopy & Heat-Vulnerability Assist with identifying low-canopy/high-priority planting zones $2,000 Analysis Public Engagement & Outreach Two Public Meetings, One Arbor Day Tree Planting Event $1,600 Subtotal 1 $18,600 Samara Consulting, LLC samaraconsulting.org