Title
Amending the Capital Improvement Budget in the amount of $666,636 to reflect funding dollar amounts restored in the State Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 Parks and Trails Funding for Parks projects.
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, a portion of Parks and Trails Legacy funds for State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 were withheld by the State to reflect negative budget forecasting due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, CF #PH 20-209 amended the Capital Improvement Budget to reflect this reduction in funding; and
WHEREAS, subsequent state budget forecasts have shown stronger recovery of the state economy and the withheld funds are able to be released to the implementing agencies; and
WHEREAS, other Parks and Trails Legacy projects have been completed under budget; and
WHEREAS, state law allows unspent Parks and Trails Legacy funds to be spent on other projects to support the regional parks and trails system; and
WHEREAS, $666,636 is available in total to allocate to eligible projects from these sources; and
WHEREAS, projects and programs that have been identified as eligible to receive these Parks and Trails Legacy funds are as follows:
Cherokee Heights Regional Park Trail Connections - $633.00
Como Regional Park Master Plan - $150,000
Como Transportation Improvements - $158,817.85
Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Master Plan Implementation - $173,012.15
Indian Mounds Interpretive Plan Implementation - $159,173.00
Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan - $25,000.00; 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 for the betterment of parks facilities and trails and that acceptance of the grant funding will enable continued implementation of said betterments; 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 $666,636 in excess of those estimated in the 2021 Capital Improvement Budget; now, therefore, be it
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 2021 Capital Improvement Budget, as heretofore adopted by Council, is hereby further amended as outlined in the attached Financial Analysis; 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.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee received this request on July 12, 2021 and recommended approval.