Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota through the Metropolitan Council for bonding appropriations for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s Seal and Seal Lion Project.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Legislature has awarded a $15,000,000 grant for predesign, design, engineering, and construction for the renovation of the seal and sea lion habitat at Como Zoo; and
WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservator is an accredited institution with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and works to meet and exceed the highest standards for animal care and welfare. In order to maintain Como’s status, the current habitat needs to be brought to modern zoological standards; and
WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomes nearly 2 million annual visitors and mission is to inspire the public to value the presence of living things in our lives through animal ambassadors like Sparky; and
WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s Habitat project was one of the City’s Capital Investment bonding priorities, and
WHEREAS, in Minnesota Session Laws 2017, First Special Session, chapter 8, article 1, section 16, subdivisions 6 (the “G.O. Bonding Legislation”) the State of Minnesota allocated $15,000,000 of State Bonds to be given to City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as a grant to assist it in the costs for Asset Preservation to the Como Zoo Seal and Sea Lion Habitat which will improve and better the metropolitan regional parks system; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreement contains an indemnification requirement and the City Council finds that such indemnification would serve the public purpose of allowing the City of Saint Paul to receive funds for the modernization of the seal and sea lion habitat at Como Zoo; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council of Saint Paul hereby authorizes Parks and Recreat...
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