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Authorizing an increase in 2014 spending authority for the Department of Parks and Recreation, Parks Environmental Grants, to fulfill multi-year grant agreements entered into with cooperating agencies.
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WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) is seeking spending authority in 2014 to fulfill agreements entered into with cooperating agencies; and
WHEREAS, Parks entered into a $135,000 grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy grant program in 2014 to enhance floodplain forest habitat at Lilydale Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, a grant balance of $135,000 remains available through June 30, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Parks entered into a $39,000 grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy grant program in 2013 to enhance bluffland habitat at Hidden Falls Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, a grant balance of $38,689 remains available through June 30, 2016, of which, Parks anticipates spending the remaining balance in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Parks entered into a $25,000 grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy grant program in 2012 to enhance floodplain forest habitat at Crosby Farm Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, a grant balance of $16,093 remains available through June 30, 2015, of which, Parks anticipates spending the remaining balance in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Parks received $14,000 in cooperative cost-share funding from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) in 2013 for erosion and sediment control and shoreline restoration projects at the Phalen Park Golf Course; and
WHEREAS, a grant balance of $7,403 remains available through August 31, 2014, of which, Parks anticipates spending the remaining balance in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to thank the Ramsey-Washington Metro Conservation District for their continued support, and active partnership, in protecting our City's natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Parks received $2,140 in cooperative cost-share funding from the Ramsey Conservation District (RCD) in 2014 for invasive species management on Saint Paul parkland through December 15, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Parks anticipates spending the balance of this funding in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to thank the Ramsey Conservation District for their continued support in protecting our City's natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Parks accepted $10,000 donations from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy in 2013 and in 2014 to support trail restoration, planting, and interpretative programming in Saint Paul parks, with funding coming from Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI); and
WHEREAS, the $20,000 balance of these donations will be spent in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to thank the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and REI for their continued support of our parks and programs; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, in accordance with Section 10.07.1 of the City Charter, certifies that there are revenues available for appropriation totaling $219,325 in excess of the revenue estimated in the 2014 budget; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that designated Parks and Recreation staff be given permission to authorize spending authority of $219,325, and that the Council of the City of Saint Paul approves these amendments to the 2014 budget.