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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO, AND ACCEPTANCE OF, IF OFFERED, A $250,000 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (MN DNR) REGIONAL TRAIL PROGRAM GRANT TO IMPROVE THE DWP (DULUTH WINNIPEG PACIFIC) /CROSS CITY TRAIL SYSTEM - STEWART CREEK RAILROAD TRESTLE.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, the proper city officials are hereby authorized to submit an application to the MN DNR for funding of the trail and bridge restoration as described in the application.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth has the legal authority to apply for the money, and the financial, technical and managerial capacity to ensure proper construction, operation and maintenance of the project in perpetuity.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth estimates the grant amount to be $250,000 and available on a 1:1 local matching basis, and has matching funds available (452 - Tourism & Recreational Projects, 030 - Finance, 5530 - Half and Half Tourism Tax Projects).
FURTHER RESOLVED, if the city of Duluth is awarded a grant by the MN DNR, the city of Duluth agrees to accept the grant award and enter into an agreement, substantially in the form of attached EXHIBIT C, with the state of Minnesota for the above referenced project. The city of Duluth will comply with all applicable laws, environmental requirements and regulations stated in the grant agreement.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth City council names the fiscal agent for this project as: Wayne Parson, City of Duluth Auditor, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application for a $250,000 MN DNR grant to improve the 1.4 mile segment of the DWP rail trail between the lower Spirit Mountain chalet and the Clyde Avenue Connector including replacement or restoration of the flood-damaged Stewart Creek Trestle, see map attached as EXHIBIT A. The $250,000 local match will come from the portion of half and half tourism tax proceeds preliminarily allocated to the DWP trail project by the City Council on March 23, 2015 (Resolution 15-0175).
The 2011 Council-approved Trail and Bikeway Master Plan called for conversion of the former DWP Rail Corridor to be a multi-use trail. The trail is already heavily used by Duluth residents but deteriorated bridges, crumbling rock cuts, and severe erosion make the area increasingly unsafe or inaccessible for many residents. Once complete, the 5 mile trail will feature two towering historic rail bridges, a rail tunnel through Ely Peak, and views of the St. Louis River up to 400 feet below.
The estimated cost for design and construction of this project is $500,000. Funding for this grant program is from "In Lieu Of" lottery proceeds. This program is established in Minnesota Statutes 85.019 to provide grants to local units of government to promote development of regionally significant trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area. To receive this money, the city must submit the Regional Trail Program application to the MN DNR by March 31, 2016.