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Resolution aUTHORIZING a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant application of $3,300,000 to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Renewal project.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has the right and authority to sponsor a grant funding request to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC).
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has a right and authority to act as Legal Sponsor for the State Grant Application (the “Application”) and will work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), in developing a Grant Agreement relating to the funding which may be awarded by the GMRPTC.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Applicant certifies it has read and understands the Office of Grants Management Conflict of Interest Policy 08-01 <https://mn.gov/admin/assets/grants_policy_08-01_tcm36-207108.pdf>, will maintain an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and monitor and report any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest to the GMRPTC and DNR.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant confirms all of the information in its Application and further confirms that it has no expectation of, or entitlement to, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to grant agreement execution date and, if applicable, it has not entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire property described in its Application if grant funds are to be used for the purchase.
BE IT FURTHE RESOLVED, that the Applicant has or will acquire a fee interest ownership or permanent easement over the land described in the Application for regional parks and regional special feature parks as applicable. The applicant has or will acquire a fee interest, permanent or perpetual easement or minimum twenty (20) year lease over the land described in the Application for regional trails or regional special feature parks, as applicable and approved, before the project proceeds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant agrees that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and requirements as stated in the Grant Agreement with the DNR, including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity or for trails, committing to maintain the trails for a period of not less than twenty (20) years, and dedicating all land acquired under the project for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD, that the GMRPTC will confirm at such time that it has made the award of funds authorizing a Grant Agreement to be developed between the DNR and the Applicant.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Resolution approving a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant application of $3,300,000 to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Renewal project. No match is required.
Spirit Mountain Recreation Area is designated as a park of regional significance and therefore eligible to receive Legacy Parks and Trails Funds. All designated facilities in the Minnesota regional system of parks and trails have completed a master plan that guides development and improvements. Improvements needed at Spirit Mountain include upgrades to the Main Chalet, the heart of all operations at the Recreation Area.
The Main Chalet is comprised of two connected but distinct structures: a badly deteriorated 1974 building to the south whose serious deficiencies will be addressed with a previous award of $13 million of state funding from the Minnesota Legislature; and a newer, fundamentally sound, chalet building to the north whose lesser deficiencies would be addressed in part by the Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant application authorized here. If awarded, a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant for partial renewal of the northern chalet structure would likely prioritize replacement of the building envelope and, funds permitting, the HVAC system.
Addressing the newer north end of the Main Chalet with a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant, rather than the larger award from the Minnesota Legislature, is advantageous because the Legacy Grant, unlike the Minnesota Legislature award, can be used to partially renovate a building whereas the award from the Minnesota Legislature requires that any building improved to any degree with the aid of those funds must be comprehensively renovated, a level of improvement that is not necessary or affordable in the case of the newer north end of the Main Chalet.