Title
Amending the Capital Improvement Budget in the amount of $334,163 to reflect actual dollar amounts in the State Fiscal Year 2021 Parks and Trails Funding due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Body
WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to Minnesota's Constitution dedicates three-eighths of one percent in state sales tax to clean water, habitat, arts and culture, and parks and trails of state or regional significance; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the Parks and Trails Fund is appropriated to the regional parks implementing agencies for the Metropolitan Regional Parks System; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is defined as an implementing agency by Minn. Stat. 473.351, subd. 1; and
WHEREAS, RES 19-1319 identified projects eligible to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds for State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021; and
WHEREAS, RES PH 19-262 amended the Capital Improvement Budget to reflect funding for said projects; and
WHEREAS, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state’s economy have resulted in lower state sales tax collection than was appropriated from the Parks and Trails Fund; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul’s share of the State Fiscal Year 2021 Parks and Trails Fund has been reduced to $2,249,273; and
WHEREAS, the project needs of both fiscal years have been re-evaluated to acknowledge the reduced appropriation and to minimize project impacts; and
WHEREAS, updated projects and programs that have been identified as eligible to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Cherokee Heights Regional Park Ohio Street Lighting - $62,744
Cherokee Heights Regional Park Trail Connections - $25,000
Como Shuttle - $210,000
Como Transportation Improvements - $1,019,017
Grand Round North Regional Trail Master Planning - $30,000
Great River Passage Division - $340,000
Harriet Island Play Area Design - $150,000
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Master Plan Implementation Design - $25,000
Hidden Falls-Highland Bridge Crossing and Connection - $475,000
Indian Mounds Interpretive Plan Implementation-Signage - $500,000
Lilydale Regional Park Dog Park - $116,705
Phalen Regional Park East Shore Trailhead Design - $255,256
Point Douglas Regional Trail Master Planning - $150,000
Robert Piram Regional Trail Construction Phase I - $650,000
Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan - $125,000
Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary Geranium Street Connection and Signage - $340,664
Volunteer and Education Coordinators - $300,000; and
WHEREAS, Laws 2019, First Special Session, Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 4, Paragraph (b) requires that Parks and Trails Legacy funds may only be used for projects approved by the elected representatives of the Regional Parks implementing agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to accept said grant funds and amend the financing and spending plan for said Metropolitan Council grants; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation will provide construction management and implementation services for the projects; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose in providing environmental education and the betterment of parks facilities and trails and that acceptance of the grant funding will enable continued staffing and installation of new trails and amenities; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.3 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that the revenue available will be insufficient to meet amounts anticipated in the 2019 Capital Improvement Budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that the aforementioned projects are hereby designated to receive Parks and Trails Legacy funds; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Council authorizes the appropriate City officials to enter into agreements with the Metropolitan Council for the aforementioned funding, which include an indemnification clause; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, and the advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Committee, that the 2019 Capital Improvement Budget, as heretofore adopted by Council, is hereby further amended as outlined in the attached Financial Analysis.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee received this request on October 12, 2020 and recommended approval.