Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Regional Parks Bonding funds, enter into grant agreements, and amend the financing and spending plan in the amount of $4,877,239.
Body
WHEREAS, the Legislature appropriated funding to the Metropolitan Council for grants to regional parks implementing agencies for capital improvements to and modernization of regional parks and trails in the metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is designated as a regional parks implementing agency by Minn. Stat. 473.351, subd. 1; and
WHEREAS, the appropriation to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation for capital improvements is $3,163,923 and for modernization is $1,713,316 for State Fiscal Year 2024; and
WHEREAS, projects that have been identified as eligible to receive capital improvement funds are as follows:
Como Regional Park Operations Building Site Preparation - $536,684
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Regional Park Long-Range Plan Implementation Phase III - $902,239
Phalen Regional Park Intersection Improvements - $350,000
Point Douglas Regional Trail Phase 1 Construction - $1,375,000; and
WHEREAS, projects that have been identified as eligible to receive modernization funds are as follows:
Como Regional Park Operations Building Site Preparation - $463,316
Samuel Morgan Regional Trail Segments 1 and 4 Construction - $1,250,000; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to accept said grant funds and establish a financing and spending plan for said Metropolitan Council grants; 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 $4,877,239 in excess of those estimated in the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in the betterment of our park facilities and trails and that acceptance of the grant funding will enable construction of trails and amenities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul, upon recommendation of the Mayor and advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee, that $4,877,239 is available for appropriation in the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget, and said 2023 budget, as heretofore adopted by the Council, is hereby further amended as indicated on the attached financial analysis; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Council authorizes the appropriate City officials to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the aforementioned funding, which includes an indemnification clause.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee reviewed this request on November 13, 2023 and recommended approval.