Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a joint powers agreement with Saint Paul School District (ISD #625) allowing the use of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom as a School Forest.
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Section 471.59, the City of Saint Paul and Saint Paul Independent School District (ISD # 625) are empowered to exercise jointly or cooperatively governmental powers common to each and to permit one governmental unit to perform services for another governmental unit; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains the Minnesota School Forest Program, pursuant to the provisions of Minn. Stat. §89.41; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota School Forest Program provides School Forest designation to woodland parcels utilized for a variety of educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the DNR provides resources and sets guidelines and criteria to maintain school forest status; and
WHEREAS, ISD #625 is authorized to establish a Minnesota School Forest; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, Department of Parks and Recreation has identified 17 ¾ acres within Como Regional Park designated as the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) to provide ecological education and historical interpretation for children and adults, habitat for native wildlife, and an urban woodland oasis; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to enter into an agreement to permit ISD #625 enroll the Como Woodland and Outdoor Classroom into the Minnesota School Forest Program, and conduct educational programs and basic maintenance tasks in cooperation with the City; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to enter into the attached Joint Powers Agreement with the Saint Paul School District.