Title
Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and Recreation, in the amount of $500,000, to reflect funds awarded from the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the Merriam Park Skatepark project, and authorizing the City to enter into a grant agreement (which includes an indemnification clause).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (“City”) will act as the legal sponsor for the project contained in Laws 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 14, Section 10 entitled Merriam Park Skatepark to design and construct the expansion and renovation of the Merriam Park Skatepark for skateboarding, rollerblading, and bicycles in the City of St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, the City has the legal authority to receive financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capacity to ensure adequate project administration; and
WHEREAS, the City has not violated any Federal, State, or local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest, or other unlawful or corrupt practice; and
WHEREAS, upon approval of its development proposal by the State, the City may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above-referenced project, and that the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in all contract agreements; and
WHEREAS, the City commits to operating and maintaining the capital improvements funded under this project for their intended public purpose and shall annually provide sufficient budgeted funds for the operation and maintenance of the project, and, upon request by the State, the City shall provide documentation demonstrating its ability to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to accept said funds and amend the financing and spending plan for the Merriam Park Skatepark project in the amount of $500,000; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to enter into an agreement for the funds, which includes an indemnification clause; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation, funds of $500,000 in excess of those estimated in the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, a requirement of said grant agreement is the recording of a declaration on the deed of the project property that declares that said property is “bond financed property” for 125% of the useful life of the funded improvement; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in expanding skateboarding opportunities in Saint Paul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul, upon recommendation of the Mayor and the advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee, that $500,000 is available for appropriation in the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget, and said 2026 budget, as heretofore adopted by the Council, is hereby amended as attached; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the non-DEED source(s) of funds identified in the sources and uses outlined in the application total the amount of $200,000 and are committed and adequate to fully fund or provide the match for the project identified in the application; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the source of the City’s funds to fully fund the project shall be from its account with US Bank which has an adequate amount of funds to cover the commitment; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appropriate City officials are authorized to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for the aforementioned funding, which includes an indemnification clause; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to execute and record a deed declaration for the funded project.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee reviewed this request on October 12, 2026, and recommended approval.