Committee approves pilot homeowner green‑infrastructure grant program

At the May 15 meeting the Citizen Oversight Committee authorized staff to design a pilot homeowner green‑infrastructure grant program to reimburse eligible homeowners, HOAs and nonprofits for projects such as tree planting, rain barrels, rain gardens and living shorelines.

Staff (S5) presented a menu of possible project types, underlying assumptions (half‑inch rainfall capture and per‑unit cost estimates), and an example reimbursement rate (proposed $70 per qualifying tree, minimum size specified). Committee members and city staff discussed program design details including eligibility, audit and verification, municipal code compatibility, partnering with NGOs for scale, and ensuring access for lower‑income residents.

Committee member Kimberly (S6) moved to develop the homeowner/citizen reimbursement pilot and return cost‑share specifics for committee approval. The motion — limited to homeowners, HOAs, nonprofits and excluding developer-driven projects — passed by voice vote. Staff will draft program rules, outreach materials, verification processes and proposed reimbursement levels for committee consideration in a future packet.