Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grant funding in the amount of $2,926,000 from the State of Minnesota and to establish a budget in the Grant Fund to reflect said funds to support arts and cultural heritage at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation has been awarded the Como Legacy grant in the amount of $2,926,000 from the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to accept these funds to support the arts and cultural heritage programs at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory; and
WHEREAS, this grant spans the State's 2026-27 biennium, beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027 with the Department of Parks and Recreation applying for reimbursement of costs on a quarterly basis; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation has developed spending plans to best utilize this grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to establish several new activity budgets, each executing an area of the spending plan; these include $128,940 for the Music in Nature, $767,892.80 for the CARES Programs, $257,200 for the Animal Wellbeing, $596,262.40 for the Residency Programs, $704,884 for the Special Exhibits, $344,292 for the Habitat Restoration, $126,528.80 for the Garden Preservation; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.01 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation funds of $2,926,000 in excess of those estimated in the current Grant Budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul authorizes acceptance of the grant funds and approves these amendments for the Life-to-date Grant Budget.
Financial Analysis
See Attached Financial Analysis