Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a joint powers agreement with Great River School (ISD #4015) 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 Great River School (ISD # 4015) 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 #4105 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 #4105 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
WHEREAS, ISD #4105 and the City each agrees to be responsible for its own acts and/or omissions and those of its officials, employees, representatives and agents in carrying out the terms of this Agreement; now therefore be it;
RESOLVED, that the proper authorities are hereby authorized to enter into the attached Agreement with Great River School (ISD #4105).