Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for a Conservation Partners Legacy grant, and if successful, enter into an agreement with and provide indemnification for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to initiate ecological restoration of 10 acres of oak woodland at Keller-Phalen Regional Park.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Lessard-Sams Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program, and;
WHEREAS, it is the intention of Parks and Recreation to submit a proposal to enhance approximately ten acres of disturbed oak forest and oak savanna at Keller-Phalen Regional Park, and;
WHEREAS, these enhancement opportunities are identified within the Phalen-Keller Regional Park Master Plan Amendment, and;
WHEREAS, these restoration opportunities will improve forest health, increase connectedness of high-quality native plant communities, reduce sedimentation of impaired waterbodies, and improve habitat for fish and, and;
WHEREAS, if funded, the grant agreement will require that the grantee indemnify the State, its agents and employees from any claims or causes of action arising from performance of the grant agreement, and;
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council finds that accepting the grant funds will fulfill ecological principles of habitat restoration, and;
WHEREAS, the expenditure of public funds, which includes the promise of indemnification, for such a purpose will facilitate and enable it to take place, now, therefore, be it;
RESOLVED, that the appropriate city officials are hereby authorized to seek CPL funding on behalf of the City and, if successful, enter into an agreement with the State, which includes an indemnification clause, to accept the funds on behalf of the City.