GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 271369
1. Title of Project: OS Arborist - Beautification and Protection
2. Location of Project: City-wide with a focus on historic trees, ongoing projects, and private property applications
3. Requesting Organization: City of Ocean Springs
4a. Name: Bobby Cox, Mayor
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-875-6722
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 1018 Porter Avenue
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
4f. Email: bcox@oceansprings-ms.gov
5. FundingRequested: $365,000
Awarded Amount:
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $365,000
9. Project Description/Overview: One of the iconic and identifying characteristics of the City of Ocean Springs will always be our historic streets lined with majestic Live Oaks, complementing the variety of flora and fauna throughout the city. Many of the live oaks in the historic areas of the city are over a hundred years old and are certified as such on the State Registry. As development progresses and the historic trees continue to mature and age, it has become increasingly important to monitor the health and protection of trees within the public spaces of the city. Equally, it is important to educate and encourage private property owners on the best management practices to maintain and, when required or requested, evaluate the liability and safety aspects of keeping, pruning, or removing a tree. With a mission to preserve, protect, and grow the iconic and vital tree canopy of Ocean Springs, the city desires to implement a proactive approach to its care and maintenance by entering into a contract with a certified arborist or arborist firm for a two-year period. Contracting with an arborist for at least two consecutive years will allow the city to develop a system of urban tree canopy care designed to enhance environmental health, to improve air quality, to improve stormwater management, reduce heat island effect, and to increase biodiversity. This contracted position would work with city staff to evaluate and develop maintenance strategies for trees and other landscaping within public property and rights-of-way. Additionally, this consultant would support staff with application review for private property that includes the removal or modification of protected trees. The arborist will be effective in addressing tree canopy inventory and planning for the 5.9 acres which the city recently annexed from Jackson County. This annexation nearly doubles the physical size of the City. Recognition and assessment of the function of the tree canopy in this annexed area as infrastructure is crucial prior to increased development. This project would also provide tools and materials to evaluate the health of existing trees, document and monitor any changes or impacts, and implement both beautification and protection measures for our urban greenery and tree canopy.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: 1. This project will be an integral part of the overall plan for improvements for coastal protection, water quality improvements, and public safety by ensuring the health and longevity of the public tree canopy, as well as proper oversight of private development. 2. Creation of a proactive, long-term tree plan will be a strong benefit for the city moving forward on both public and private projects. Community education and engagement are important elements in this process. 3. By maintaining a healthy tree canopy and public vegetation cover, the city’s character is maintained. But greater still, the trees and ground vegetation serve to filter runoff and protect the environment. 4. The Arborist will be able to coordinate with local environmental groups to ensure that all are working together toward the common goal to protect both environmental and manmade infrastructure while enhancing and protecting the character and quality of life within the City of Ocean Springs.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: Engaging a professional arborist will provide vital support to city staff by providing expert input on the impact of public and private development. This input will help with maintaining the tree canopy and surrounding open space, nature’s ability to filter stormwater runoff, mitigate surface temperatures, and ensure that the trees are as resilient as possible during severe weather.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: Maintaining and improving the tree canopy and health of the public greenspace will help to support the flora and fauna that depend on our natural environment. Healthy trees serve to naturally filter road runoff and storm wastewater, helping to create a rich abundance of nutrients and organic matter in our coastal wetlands, which support the food web, providing a crucial, productive habitat where juvenile fish and shellfish can thrive.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: * Authorize advertisement for contractual services. * Advertise for consultant services – approximately 45 days. * Confirm consultant selection by the Board of Aldermen and establish rates. * Finalize the budget and work with the Arborist to develop the list of tools and materials. * The contract with the Arborist would be for a 12-month period, renewable for an additional 12 months. * Once in place, the Arborist would begin immediately working with the Building Office on an evaluation strategy for all public trees. Likewise, the selected consultant would begin immediately to work with the Planning Department to review development plans where appropriate.
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: Other no plans or specifications required Funds Not Budgeted

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: The City of Ocean Springs is a functional peninsula with bayous, marshlands, and sand beach on the majority of the city limit borders. These coastal marshes and bayous are vital nurseries for young marine animals. Bayous and marshes serve as critical feeding grounds for juvenile fish and shellfish. A healthy well-maintained tree canopy can reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing rainwater, mitigating flooding, and lessening the burden on the city’s drainage system. Proactive, planned efforts to maintain an appropriate amount of open space goes a long way to filter impurities from stormwater, road runoff, before it reaches any one of the surrounding ecosystems. Not only do the trees define the character of the city and attract many people to view the natural charm, by ensuring the health of the outdoor open space and tree canopy, the overall environment is supported and maintained. This project would allow the city to develop and implement a proactive plan that can be kept in place moving forward and integrated into standard operating procedures as they relate to infrastructure maintenance and plan review for both public and private projects. The framework of this ongoing conservation project will be easily replicable in other communities facing similar challenges.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 2
17. Estimated Completion Date: 12/31/2028

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe
Travel
Architecture & Engineering
Legal
Consulting: $312,000
Construction
Site Work
Equipment
Indirects
Other: $53,000
Total: $365,000


Application Submission Date: 09/30/2025
Fiscal Year: 2027
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:
Attachments:: https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1369_COMPLETE.pdf
Hyperlink:: Attachments

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