Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, and Parks and Trails Funds, in the amount of $5,108,578.84, and enter into grant agreements as required as a condition of receiving said funds, which include an indemnification clause.
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 of Parks and Trails Legacy funds to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is $2,525,112.83 in FY 2020 and $2,583,466.01 in FY 2021, for a total of $5,108,578.84; and
WHEREAS, projects and programs that have been identified as eligible to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Como Shuttle - $210,000
Great River Passage Division - $340,000
Volunteer and Education Coordinators - $300,000
Cherokee Heights Regional Park Ohio Street Lighting Improvements - $139,449
Cherokee Heights Regional Park Trail Connections - $315,000
Como Transportation Improvements - $1,019,017
Grand Round North Regional Trail Master Planning - $30,000
Harriet Island Play Area Design - $150,000
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Master Plan Implementation Ph I - $500,000
Indian Mounds Interpretive Plan Implementation-Signage - $500,000
Lilydale Regional Park Master Plan Implementation and Dog Park - $475,000
Point Douglas Regional Trail Master Planning - $150,000
Robert Piram Regional Trail Construction Ph I - $650,000
Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary - Geranium Street Connection and Signage - $330,112.84; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in providing environmental education and the betterment of our parks facilities and trails and that acceptance of the grant funding will enable continued staffing and installation of new trails and amenities; and
WHEREAS, Laws 2019, First Special Session, Chapter 2, 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 Council of the City of Saint Paul, 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.