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Amending the 2021 City Capital Improvement Budget in the amount of $5,825,372 to reflect anticipated funding from the Lower Phalen Creek Project in the amount of $1,668,838, grant funding from the State of Minnesota in the amount of $4,000,000 and the use of $156,534 in existing City funds for construction of Wakan Tipi at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.
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WHEREAS, the purpose of Lower Phalen Creek Project (LPCP) is to strengthen Saint Paul, Minnesota’s East Side and Lowertown communities by developing and maximizing the value of local parks and trails, ecological and cultural resources and connections to the Mississippi River;
WHEREAS, the City has identified in its Great River Passage Master Plan the need to create a gathering place at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary (as further defined below, “Nature Sanctuary”) and to provide interpretive, educational and visitor amenities and services, landscape improvements, as well as improved trail connections from the Nature Sanctuary to nearby trails;
WHEREAS, the City realizes the importance of establishing partnerships with community organizations to provide recreational opportunities and enhanced interpretive and educational services; and
WHEREAS, LPCP has worked with the City and the community to acquire, restore and develop the Nature Sanctuary and has a vision to create and operate, at this location, a community gathering place and an interpretive center called Wakan Tipi Center, in honor of Wakan Tipi Cave, a Dakota sacred site and historic site; and
WHEREAS, the City and the LPCP has set forth the expectations of each party as to what is needed for the parties to design and construct the Center and the City to lease the building to Lower Phalen Creek Project as developer and operator of the facility; and
WHEREAS, LPCP desired that the City seek money from the State of Minnesota and in 2018 the Minnesota Legislature approved a GO Bond Grant of $3,000,000 and in 2020 the Minnesota Legislature approved a GO Bond Grant of $1,000,000 (collectively the “Grants”) for the development of visitor and interpretive center in the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and the Wakan Tipi Center with funds directed to the City for use at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, LPCP has previously committed $207,950 of its private financing to be used to reimburse the costs of City staff time for project supervision; and
WHEREAS, LPCP now commits an additional amount of $1,668,838 in private funds and grants to support project construction; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified $156,534 in temporary easement funds, available for use on this project; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation funds of $5,825,372 in excess of those estimated in the 2021 Capital Improvement Budget; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul, upon recommendation of the Mayor and advice of the Long Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee, that $5,825,372 is available for appropriation in the 2021 Capital Improvement Budget, and said 2021 budget, as heretofore adopted by the Council, is hereby further amended as indicated on the attached financial analysis; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul through its Department of Parks and Recreation Department may apply for, and if successful, accept the Grants from the State of Minnesota, and will act as the legal sponsor for projects contained in this application to be submitted after Council approval and that the Mayor, Director of Finance, Director of Parks, City Clerk, and the City Attorney or her designee are hereby authorized to apply to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for funding of this project on behalf of the City of Saint Paul; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of Saint Paul has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure adequate construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the proposed project for its design life; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Saint Paul has not violated any Federal, State, or local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practice; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, City of Saint Paul through its Parks and Recreation Department may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above-referenced project(s), and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in all contract agreements; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor, Director of Finance, Director of Parks, City Clerk, and the City Attorney or her designee are hereby authorized to execute such agreements, and amendments thereto, as are necessary to implement the project(s) on behalf of the applicant; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the City hereby approves amending the 2021 City Capital Improvement Budget so that $5,825,372 of the City’s funds are dedicated to construction of Wakan Tipi at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary; and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City Council approves the changes to the 2021 budgets identified in the Financial Analysis.
Financial Analysis
See attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee received this request on June 14, 2021 and recommended approval.