Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for a Great Urban Park Campaign: Green Infrastructure in Underserved Communities grant of up to $575,000 from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary project.
Body
WHEREAS, the National Recreation and Park Association’s Great Urban Park Campaign offers grant funding between $350,000 to $575,000 for projects that will:
a) increase public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks in underserved low-income communities and communities of color; and
b) improve environmental quality and increased hazard mitigation by reducing flooding, improving site ability to hold and retain storm water, improving water quality, improving wildlife habitat, and increasing biodiversity; and
c) create a community engaged in improving environmental quality through green infrastructure solutions to stormwater management;
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to a sustainable future, including green infrastructure, cleaner air, soil, water, habitat, and other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to providing recreational opportunities throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has completed a Metropolitan Council approved master plan for the regional trail (CF 09-1301); and
WHEREAS, this grant program does not require matching funds; and
WHEREAS, the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary meets all of the grant key objectives by providing increased public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks in underserved, low-income communities and communities of color; improves environmental quality; and is within a community engaged in improving environmental quality through green infrastructure solutions to stormwater; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that support is hereby granted for the Park and Recreation Department’s application to the National Recreation and Park Association, and if funds are granted, accept the funds, and enter into grant agreements executed by the proper City of Saint Paul authorities in compliance with all applicable laws, and staff is authorized to apply for reimbursement from the grant funds approved for the project herein.