Title
Granting approval to submit grants for Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds through the Parks and Trails program.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul performs significant services for citizens of the Metropolitan area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and operation of Regional Parks; and
WHEREAS, the City supports and will continue to support the cooperative efforts of the State of Minnesota, Metropolitan Council, and Regional Park Implementing Agencies to provide resources for the betterment of the Regional Parks and Trails system; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Minnesota recommends $16.324 million in FY 2012 and $17.14 million in FY 2013 be appropriated to the Metropolitan Council from the Land and Legacy Amendments Parks and Trails Fund to be granted to regional park implementing agencies to support land acquisition, facility renovation, facility development, visitor service improvements, natural resource restoration, and park/trail master planning for the Metropolitan Regional Park System; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Regional Park System currently open for public use encompasses over 53,000 acres of parkland and includes 38 regional parks, 12 park reserves, 6 special recreation features and 231 miles of regional trails in 33 segments. These park/trail units are owned and operated by ten regional park implementing agencies of which the City of Saint Paul, Parks and Recreation Department is included as the Implementing Agency for St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy amendment to Minnesota's Constitution, dedicates 3/8ths of 1% of the state sales tax to clean water, habitat, arts, and parks and trails of state or regional significance. In accordance with 2008 M.S. Sec. 85.53, Subd. 3, the funds would be disbursed to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department projects as follows:
Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Projects 2012- 2013
Education Coordinator - position to develop and
implement environmental educational programs
including general environmental programs and site
specific programs including presentations, tours,
lectures, field labs, and nature observations. $ 68,177.00 $ 68,177.00
Volunteer Coordinator - position to recruit, coordinate,
and lead Natural Resource Volunteers in land stewardship
and wildlife monitoring projects. The person would also
lead volunteers in performing responsible natural
resource and environmental work. $ 65,857.00 $ 65,857.00
Como Regional Park Shuttle $ 125,000.00 $ 125,000.00
Lilydale Regional Park Road Improvements $1,401,966.00 $1,660,143.00
Cherokee Regional Park Trail Enhancements -
Railings, Benches etc. $ 275,000.00
Phalen Regional Park Master Plan Implementation:
Water Fall Restoration $ 350,000.00
Indian Mounds Regional Park Master Plan
& Phase I Implementation $ 400,000.00
Mississippi River Trail - Harriet Island to South
Saint Paul - New Regional Trail Master Plan $ 75,000.00
Hidden Falls/Crosby Regional Park Master Plan
Amendment $ 74,000.00
TOTAL $2,286,000.00 $2,400,000.00
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that support is granted for the Metropolitan Councils request to the Minnesota State Legislature for Saint Paul Regional Park and Trail Legacy Program projects noted for FY 2012 and FY 2013.