Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $116,100 in funding through the Conservation Partners Legacy grant program to enhance 30 acres of forest and savanna habitat at Phalen Regional Park and, if successful, enter into an agreement providing indemnification for the MN Department of Natural Resources.
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, the City of Saint Paul is eligible to receive grant funds through the CPL program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has successfully received CPL program funding, annually, since 2010; and
WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation wishes to submit a $116,100 proposal to enhance 30 acres of forest and savanna habitat at Phalen Regional Park through invasive species removal and revegetation efforts; and
WHEREAS, all matching funds will be in the form of in-kind staff and community volunteer labor; and
WHEREAS, project work will occur within unique restoration opportunities identified within site-specific management plans; and
WHEREAS, the project will increase connectedness of high-quality forests, reduce sedimentation of impaired waterbodies, and improve habitat for wildlife; 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 these grant funds will allow Parks and Recreation to 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 designated Parks and Recreation staff 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.