Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds up to $350,000 from the Outdoor Recreation grant program for development of a new park at The Heights.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (“City”) performs significant services for residents of the Metropolitan area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and operation of its parks and trails; and
WHEREAS, the City supports and will continue to support the cooperative efforts of the State of Minnesota to provide resources for the betterment of our parks and trails system; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to develop a new park at The Heights development, formerly Hillcrest Golf Course; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources administers grant programs including the Outdoor Recreation grant program from which said project is eligible to receive funding; and
WHEREAS, the City will act as legal sponsor for the project contained in the Outdoor Recreation grant applications to be submitted by April 1, 2024 and that the Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of this project on behalf of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City maintains an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and, throughout the term of the contract, will monitor and report any actual or potential conflicts of interest to the State, upon discovery; and
WHEREAS, the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and it has the financial capability to meet the match requirement (if any) and ensure adequate construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of the proposed project for its design life; and
WHEREAS, the City has not incurred any development costs described in the Cost Breakdown section on the application; and
WHEREAS, the City has or will acquire fee title or permanent easement over the land described in the site plan included in the application; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby authorizes the Director of Parks and Recreation to apply for the Outdoor Recreation grant to implement The Heights park project on behalf of the City; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the State, the City may enter into an agreement with the State for the above-referenced project, and that the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement, including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the funding grant program into perpetuity; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that Director of Parks and Recreation is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City.