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Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for up to $200,000 in capital funds for construction of the Point Douglas Regional Trail and up to $75,000 in equipment funds per application to support Saint Paul’s ski program from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Federal Recreational Trail grant program.
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WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (“City”) performs significant services for residents of the Metropolitan area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and operation of its parks and trails; and
WHEREAS, the City supports and will continue to support the cooperative efforts of the State of Minnesota to provide resources for the betterment of our parks and trails system; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation (“Department”) desires to construct Phase 1 of the Point Douglas Regional Trail; and
WHEREAS, said construction will close one of the most significant gaps in Saint Paul’s portion of the Mississippi River Trail and will provide safer transportation and recreational opportunities to residents of the East Side; and
WHEREAS, the Department desires to purchase artificial snowmaking equipment and trail grooming equipment for use at Como Regional Park, Highland Park National Golf Course/Ski Chalet, and Phalen Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the Department’s winter ski section works towards a future where every resident can experience winter skiing in Saint Paul parks; and
WHEREAS, the Department’s winter ski section works to prioritize reaching and serving residents who identify as a young person, BIPOC, low-income (50% AMI), or have limited skiing proficiency; and
WHEREAS, historical and systemic institutional barriers have precluded communities of color and immigrant communities from access to winter skiing and perpetuated a generational gap of residents who do not know how to ski; and
WHEREAS, the City has read the Conflict of Interest Policy contained in the grant program manual and certifies it will report any actual, potential, perceived, or organizational conflicts of interest upon discovery to the State related to the application or a grant award; and
WHEREAS, the City will comply with all applicable state and federal laws, environmental requirements and regulations as stated in the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has secured the required 25% cash match for these applications, and hereby assures that the Point Douglas Regional Trail and any ski equipment acquired through this grant will be maintained for a period of no less than 20 years as required by the grant program or until such time as appropriate disposition actions are approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby authorizes the appropriate City officials to apply for funds from the Federal Recreational Trail grant program for the Point Douglas Regional Trail and ski equipment; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby designates the Director of Parks and Recreation as the fiscal agent for the above named projects.