Title
Resolution Supporting the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Flood Mitigation and Green Space Improvement Project on HRA-owned property near Ames Lake, District 2, Ward 6
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (“HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic organized, existing, and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Sec. 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development and redevelopment activities under the Act, and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in the Act, and said activities include but are not limited to: (a) providing adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings, remedying housing shortages for low and moderate income residents, and providing housing for persons of all incomes through housing projects and development, (b) removing and preventing blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) performing duties according to the comprehensive plan, (e) disposing of land for private redevelopment, and (f) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (“RWMWD”) completed a feasibility study regarding flooding in the Ames Lake area and approached City of Saint Paul (“City”) staff with its findings and a project proposal for flood mitigation and additional outdoor recreational and green space using HRA-owned properties at 1380 Magnolia Ave, 0 (1400) Magnolia Ave, and 0 (1445) Ames Ave (collectively “HRA Land”); and
WHEREAS, staff reviewed RWMWD’s findings, project proposal, and the HRA Land requested to be dedicated for improvements; and
WHEREAS, staff determined that the existing use of the HRA Land is lowland/wetland and RWMWD’s proposed project is consistent with the Phalen Village Small Area Plan adopted by the Saint Paul City Council on December 6, 1995, and the original intent of the HRA’s acquisition of the HRA Land in 1997; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the HRA considered the proposal and by this resolution finds a public purpose for the dedication and future use of the HRA Land to support RWMWD’s flood mitigation and green space project; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota:
1. that the HRA hereby approves and supports a partnership with RWMWD to move its flood mitigation and green space improvement project forward on the HRA-owned properties at 1380 Magnolia Ave, 0 (1400) Magnolia Ave, and 0 (1445) Ames Ave.
2. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes the Executive Director to execute a letter of support to provide to RWMWD for inclusion in any applications for grant funding opportunities sought by RWMWD.
3. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes City staff, under the direction of the Executive Director, to take all actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including the execution of documents to dedicate the HRA Land for flood mitigation purposes, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
4. subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office and pursuant to applicable ordinances and bylaws, the only signature that shall be required on documents in connection with this Resolution is that of the Executive Director who is hereby approved and authorized to execute all said documents and instruments, which shall be sufficient to bind the HRA to any legal obligations therein.
5. that this Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement until such time as a contract is executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.