Ceres will be looking a little more green and cooler with the planting of 1,300 shade trees once the state government turns over an Urban and Community Forestry Grant of $1,084,000 to the city of Ceres.

The grant was snagged by Capital Advocacy Partners, the Washington, D.C. firm hired by the city in July, 2023. The money is one of the successes coming out of the contract with the Washington, D.C. based company, which charges the city $67,200 per year. This far the firm has snagged $2.4 million in grants for Ceres.

The grant is to be given by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The proposed project aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal and environmental sustainability of Ceres by implementing strategic landscaping initiatives in key public areas. This includes planting of native trees and shrubs, installation of sustainable irrigation systems, and creation of green spaces for the community enjoyment.

City Manager Doug Dunford said that the city is required to extensively report the program’s progress, including providing them the latitude and longitude of every tree planted as well as the species of the trees and plants.

The catch is the city doesn’t have the staff to meet the conditions so it has contracted with Capital Advocacy to manage the program.

The grant funds must all be spent by Dec. 31, 2028.

Dunford said four companies are being looked at for the huge order of trees.

The grant acceptance dovetailed with another agenda item to continue contracting with Capital Advocacy at a cost of $5,940 per month for their services.

Dunford said that for every dollar the city has spent on the grant writer, $18 has been snagged in the form of grant money.

Casey abstained from voting on the contract adjustment since it adds $71,280 to a budget that is underwater by $2 million.