Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds not to exceed $12,000 to Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, acting as the fiscal sponsor for CityTrees, for the purchase and planting of trees to expand the urban canopy in Redwood City, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 4 (Supervisor Lisa Gauthier) - Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, acting as the fiscal sponsor for CityTrees: for the purchase and planting of trees to expand the urban canopy in Redwood City. |
$12,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 4 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 4 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, acting as the fiscal sponsor for CityTrees, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $12,000 to provide for the purchase and planting of trees to expand the urban canopy in Redwood City. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District 4 indicates that this organization has not previously received Measure K district-discretionary funding.
CityTrees is a nonprofit based in Redwood City (City) dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents through community tree planting, stewardship, and environmental education. CityTrees partners with residents, schools, and the City to create greener, healthier neighborhoods.
Investing in urban trees provides direct and measurable public benefits. Trees help reduce urban heat, which is especially important during periods of extreme heat, and improve air quality by capturing pollutants and storing carbon. Increased tree canopy has also been linked to better physical and mental health outcomes, including reduced heat-related illness, lower stress levels, and increased opportunities for outdoor activity.
This district-discretionary grant will be used to fund the following project or services:
CityTrees has an established partnership with the City’s Department of Public Works, with shared responsibility for tree maintenance. Their work focuses on neighborhoods considered “tree deserts,” where there are limited canopy coverage and higher exposure to heat and air pollution. These areas are often under-resourced and disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens. This funding will support the purchase and planting of trees in these priority neighborhoods, advancing environmental equity and providing long-term community benefits.
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following currently unmet need or service gap within the County: Expanding the urban canopy in Redwood City with a focus on neighborhoods with limited canopy coverage.
District 4 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows:
• The purchase and planting of 100 trees to expand the urban canopy in Redwood City.
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided from April 21, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $12,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director
Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, acting as the fiscal sponsor for CityTrees
23564 Calabasas Road Suite 201
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 225-9150
jennifer@saveourplanet.org <mailto:jennifer@saveourplanet.org>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Number of planting events |
5 planting events |
|
Number of trees planted |
100 trees |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT: This investment advances environmental equity by prioritizing neighborhoods with limited tree canopy and higher exposure to heat and pollution. Increasing tree coverage will improve air quality, lower temperatures, and create safer, more livable outdoor spaces. These improvements support public health and help ensure environmental benefits are shared more equitably across Redwood City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2025-26 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.