Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept donated funds of $65,000 from AMVETS Post #5, and amending the current capital budget to construct the Plaza de Honor memorial on Harriet Island.
Body
Whereas, for generations brave men and women of this great nation have taken tremendous risks and made significant sacrifices by putting themselves in the line of fire for the betterment of our country through military service; and,
Whereas, the citizens of Saint Paul and the entire country owe a dept of gratitude to the veterans of military service. Providing an opportunity for ongoing recognition is currently lacking in the City of Saint Paul; and,
Whereas, the City of Saint Paul is home to a large population of war veterans, and the West Side Community of Saint Paul has a considerable population of veterans; and,
Whereas, construction of a veteran's memorial in Harriet Island Regional Park will provide ongoing recognition for their contributions and will promote awareness about the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans; and,
Whereas, AMVETS Post #5 has worked with the City to establish a permanent memorial at a place of significance in the City of Saint Paul, and has worked to establish funds to construct the memorial through a combination of City funds and private fundraising; and,
Whereas, Harriet Island Regional Park is located in the West Side Community of Saint Paul and has undergone significant investment and renovation over the last 10 years, and currently is serving more than a million visitors a year, and is a terrific location to showcase this significant memorial.; and,
Whereas, AMVETS Post #5 has worked with the City to develop a design for a permanent memorial in Harriet Island Regional Park. This project will construct a fixed memorial called 'Plaza de Honor' that will recognize the contributions and significant sacrifice of the American Veterans of the City of Saint Paul; and,
Whereas, the memorial will provide a unique destination for residents, veteran's families and visitors of Saint Paul to share with pride the achievements of those who continue to answer the call of duty. The benefit of this memorial reaches beyond our local community and will have a significant impact on the current generation and many generations to come.; and,
Whereas, AMVETS Post #5 pledged to provide at least $65,000 from private fundraising to the City for construction costs within 10 days of adoption of this resolution; and,
Whereas, AMVETS Post #5 has made arrangements to provide memorial paver stones to be used in the construction with names and messages of individuals being memorialized from additional funds they have collected; and,
Whereas, the memorial will be called the Plaza de Honor; and
Whereas, the Mayor, pursuant to Section10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation, funds of $65,000 in excess of those estimated in the 2009 Capital Improvement Budget;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that 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 $65,000 is available for appropriation in the 2009 Capital Improvement Budget, and said budget, as heretofore adopted by Council, is hereby further amended in the particulars as specified in the attached financial analysis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City of Saint Paul would like to thank AMVETS Post #5 for their assistance in the design and their generous donation of funds they have received as a result of their fundraising activities.
Financial Analysis
[See Attachment ]
CIB Recommendation
The St. Paul Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget Committee received this request on October 10, 2011 and recommends approval.