Title
Approving the use of grant funds through the Neighborhood STAR Year-Round program for cost overages for improving and installing public art on the railroad bridge over Maryland Avenue at Marydale Park.
Body
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2017 the Neighborhood STAR Board reviewed a proposal for STAR grant financing through the Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program to assist COMPAS with the cost of improving the railroad bridge underpass over Maryland Ave. near Marydale Park.
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood STAR Board rated the project 3.45 on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high); and
WHEREAS, the project to paint a community mural on the decrepit bridge had unforseen cost overruns due to the poor condition of the surface; and
WHEREAS, COMPAS, a nonprofit community arts organization took on this debt in order to continue with the complex and important community project; and
WHEREAS, COMPAS raised an additional $65,768 outside of the requested grant to complete this project; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Mayor and the Saint Paul City Council to participate in the financing of these activities by providing up to $20,000 in grant through the Ward 5 Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program; and
WHEREAS a waiver to the STAR guideline in regards to prohibiting the refinancing of existing debt is being recommended; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby authorizes and directs the appropriate City officials to execute the necessary grant documents to implement this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, staff of the Department of Planning and Economic Development are further authorized and directed to proceed with all other actions necessary to implement this Resolution.