Title
Authorizing the Public Works Department to apply for the State Competitiveness Fund from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to support the Evie Carshare program and meet the match requirement for the City’s recently awarded Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement grant.
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department would like to apply to the State Competitiveness Fund Matching Funds Program from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which is a legislatively created program intended to support entities applying for federal funding opportunities requiring a cost-share match; and
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department has received Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement federal funds for program year 2026, which would allow for the expansion of the Evie Carshare fleet by more than 30 vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the awarded Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program grant requires 20% in matching funds; and
WHEREAS, CMAQ funds are administered through the State of Minnesota and the Regional Solicitation process, but are federal funds apportioned by the US Department of Transportation and meet all other requirements for eligible projects under the Competitiveness Fund program; and
WHEREAS, the funds from the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s State Competitiveness Fund Program would be used as the City of Saint Paul’s required local match on the project; and
WHEREAS, the grant amount would be $175,000 with a budget to use one-third of the funds each year for three years as the 20% match on annual vehicle lease payments; and
WHEREAS, the Grants Division of the Office of Financial Services has reviewed and approved the Intent to Apply request; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council authorizes the Public Works Department to apply for the Minnesota Department of Commerce State Competitiveness Fund program.