Title
Authorizing Mayor Carter’s Office to submit a McKnight Foundation Climate and Energy Program Grant Proposal.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has been developing a Climate Action and Resilience Plan that includes the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions in Saint Paul by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the McKnight Foundation’s Midwest Climate and Energy Program aims to foster and support climate and energy leadership in the Midwest, making the region a model for the world by reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, the McKnight Foundation has invited the City of Saint Paul to apply for funds to advance the work of the City’s Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has identified a need to add a Complete Streets Transportation Planner position in the Public Works Department to help the City better coordinate multi-modal transportation options in downtown and across the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the grant funds, if awarded, will support the goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Draft Climate Action and Resilience Plan of making it easier and safer for people to use transit, carpooling, biking, and walking for as many trip types as possible; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Public Library, in collaboration with the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and other community partners wishes to focus the 2020 Read Brave Program on Our Climate Crisis; and
WHEREAS, the Draft Climate Action and Resilience Plan identifies the need to continue deeply engaging the Saint Paul community on the subject of Our Climate Crisis on an ongoing basis; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council finds that these funds have a public purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby authorizes Mayor Carter’s Office to submit, on behalf of the City of Saint Paul, an application for $150,000 in grant funds to the McKnight Foundation for the purpose of furthering the City’s work to address climate change; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should the funds be awarded, the Saint Paul City Council authorizes the City of Saint Paul to enter into a grant agreement with the McKnight Foundation.