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COUNCIL REPORT Page 1 of 2 Meeting date: September 6, 2016 Submitted by: Andrew Meyer, Director, Community & Cultural Services Approved by: Ralph Coe, Chief Administrative Officer Department: Property Management SUBJECT: VIMY RIDGE COMMEMORATIVE TREE PLANTING PROJECT RECOMMENDATION: THAT Council receives the Vimy Ridge Commemorative Tree Planting project report for information, and further, that this matter be referred to the bylaw section of the meeting for approval. BACKGROUND In the fall of 2015, the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc was approached by Trees for 3 Dots Planting Inc. (T43D) with a proposal to develop a living memorial as a project of the Vimy Ridge Commemorative Tree Planting program (VRCTP). The program proposal involved the planting of 100 trees in Strathroy to mark the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 2017). CONSULTATION & FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Through consultation with senior administrative staff and the municipal Progress through Partnership committee, it was decided that a budget request would be made in support of the project, and a planting location was identified. As part of the 2016 budget planning process, a provision of $8,500 (representing approximately one third of the project cost) in capital funding was approved, with the balance of the project to be supported through the fundraising efforts of the VRCTP. A Memorandum of Agreement has been drafted for approval under the bylaw section of the meeting, to identify the commitments of both parties with respect to this project. The total cost of the 100 tree planting project on Adair Boulevard will be $25,000 ($250/tree), which includes tree stock, planting costs, staking, mulching, and initial watering and fertilization, as well as post-planting care and monitoring of the trees. Trees for 3 Dots Planting Inc. is actively raising funds to meet its target for the project.
