Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for a DNR grant to improve canopy diversification, and if successful, enter into an agreement with the MN DNR Community Forest Bonding Grant program, requiring that the grantee sign a General Obligation of Bond Financed Property.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2012-2014 Minnesota Community Forest Bonding Grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of Parks and Recreation to submit two separate proposals as a part of this grant program; and
WHEREAS, the first proposal includes a request for $150,000 to plant up to 700 boulevard trees to replace ash trees removed in the management of emerald ash borer, plant additional trees in anticipation of future ash losses, and diversify the urban forest canopy in City Council Wards 1, 2, and 4 within one mile of the Summit Avenue and Dale Street North intersection, where an Emerald Ash Borer infestation was confirmed in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the second proposal includes a request for $25,000 to diversify the urban forest canopy by planting up to 110 trees in City Council Ward 6, in the vicinity of Wheelock Parkway and Johnson Parkway, within and adjacent to Phalen Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreement requires that the grantee sign a General Obligation of Bond Financed Property, meaning that the property cannot be sold, mortgaged, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget; and
WHEREAS, the property will be subject to the provisions of the grant agreement between the City and the State; and
WHEREAS, the property shall continue to be deemed state bond financed property for 37.5 years; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the conditions restricting the sale, mortgage, encumbrance or disposal of the property in return for the use of the state bonding funds are acceptable; now, therefo...
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