Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds from the Capital Region Watershed District's 2015 Special Projects Grant Program, and to apply for grants to other agencies and groups as needed for any matching amounts required, and if funds are granted, authorizing the proper City of Saint Paul authorities to execute grant agreements in compliance with all applicable laws, and authorizing staff to apply for reimbursement from the grant funds approved for the projects herein.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to a sustainable future including cleaner air, soil, water, and other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the City supports, and will continue to support, collaboration with the Capital Region Watershed District and other agencies and groups to provide resources for increasing water quality, and for providing a cleaner environment throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act, administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, mandates improvements in water quality; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Region Watershed District has solicited grant applications for its 2015 Special Grant Program for projects that will a) improve water quality, b) preserve and protect plant and wildlife communities adjacent to lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and c) establish links between people and water resources through education; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has determined that the following projects are appropriate for these funds:
1. Como Park Floating Islands: up to $84,000 to install small floating treatment wetlands in three locations in Lake Como near storm sewer outlet pipes to help clean the incoming water of particles and nutrients to improve lake water quality.
2. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Forecourt Cistern: up to $11,000 to analyze existing cistern capacity, model stormwater inputs, and project site uses that will efficiently use the resource.
3. Swede Hollow Park Stream Improvements: up to $212,600 to implement several high-priority options proposed in the feasibility study and prioritized by the community organization; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that support is hereby granted for the Department of Parks and Recreation's application to the Capitol Region Watershed District's 2015 Special Projects Grant Program, and to apply for grants to other agencies and groups as needed for any matching amounts required, and if funds are granted, grant agreements shall be 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 projects herein.