Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Parks and Trails Legacy Funds, enter into grant agreements, and amend the financing and spending plan in the amount of $3,048,555.
Body
WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to Minnesota's Constitution dedicates three-eighths of one percent in state sales tax to clean water, habitat, arts and culture, and parks and trails of state or regional significance; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the Parks and Trails Fund is appropriated to the regional parks implementing agencies for the Metropolitan Regional Parks System; 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 from Parks and Trails Legacy funds to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is $3,048,555 for State Fiscal Year 2024; and
WHEREAS, projects and programs that have been identified as eligible to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Como Regional Park Long-Range Plan - $100,000
Como Regional Park Operations Building Design - $400,000
Como Regional Park Shuttle - $115,000
Great River Passage - $170,000
Harriet Island Long-Range Plan - $200,000
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Regional Park Long-Range Plan Implementation Phase III - $818,555
Long-Term Vegetation Maintenance - $25,000
Lower Landing Improvements - $200,000
Point Douglas Regional Trail Phase 1 Design - $250,000
Samuel Morgan Regional Trail Segments 1 and 4 Design - $575,000
Volunteer & Education Coordinators - $195,000; 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 $3,048,555 in excess of those estimated in the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in providing environmental education and in the betterment of our park facilities and trails and that acceptance of the grant funding will enable continued staffing and installation of trails and amenities; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Laws 2023, Chapter 40, Article 3, Section 4, Paragraph (b) requires that Parks and Trails Legacy funds may only be used for projects approved by the elected representatives of the Regional Parks implementing agencies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Saint Paul City Council, that the aforementioned projects are hereby designated to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds; 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; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, and the advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee, that $3,048,555 is available for appropriation in the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget, and said budget, as heretofore adopted by Council, is hereby further amended as outlined in the attached Financial Analysis.
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.