Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Parks and Trails Legacy Funds, amend the Department of Parks and Recreation financing and spending plan, in the amount of $2,907,008, and enter into grant agreements (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 from Parks and Trails Legacy funds to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is $2,907,008 for State Fiscal Year 2027; and
WHEREAS, projects and programs that have been identified as eligible to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Harriet Island RP Riverwalk Design - $500,000
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm RP Long-Range Plan Implementation Phase V - $772,008
Imniìžaska Long-Range Plan and Implementation - $200,000
Phalen RP Picnic Area Construction - $400,000
Samuel Morgan RT Lower Landing Improvements - $500,000
Long-term Vegetation Maintenance - $25,000
Great River Passage - $175,000
Volunteer & Education Coordinators - $215,000
Como Shuttle - $120,000; and
WHEREAS, prior fiscal year Parks and Trails Legacy funded projects have been completed with budget remaining and said budget is able to be reallocated to other eligible projects; and
WHEREAS, projects that have been identified as eligible to receive reallocated Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Harriet Island Irrigation Improvements - $100,000
Imnizaska Long-Range Plan and Implementation - $13,179.98
Phalen RP Picnic Area Construction - $261,020.17
Wakan Tipi Trail Improvements - $90,000; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in providing environmental education and in the betterment of our park facilities and trails; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to accept said grant funds and establish a financing and spending plan for said Metropolitan Council grants; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation funds of $2,907,008 in excess of those estimated in the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Laws 2025, Chapter 36, 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 Saint Paul City Council, that the aforementioned projects are hereby designated to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council authorizes the appropriate City officials to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the aforementioned funding, which includes an indemnification clause; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, by the Saint Paul City Council, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, and the advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee, that $2,907,008 is available for appropriation in the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget, and said budget, as heretofore adopted by the Council, is hereby further amended as outlined in the attached Financial Analysis.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee reviewed this request on August 10, 2026 and recommended approval.