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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,254,471 FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SPIRIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 18-0162R authorized acceptance of a Federal Recreational Trail Program grant in the amount of $150,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to support the development of the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center; and
WHEREAS, resolution 19-0464R authorized acceptance of a Federal Recreational Trail Program grant in the amount of $74,225 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to purchase equipment related to snowmaking; and
WHEREAS, resolution 23-0306R authorized a joint powers agreement with the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority to accept funding from the Authority in the amount of $86,000 for the continued development of the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area facilities; and
WHEREAS, resolution 23-0379R authorized a funding agreement with the Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club to accept a donation of $114,000 to support the continued development of the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to accept and execute a Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,254,471 with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with said funds to be deposited into fund 452-030-4220-01-HANDHTAX-1506 (tourism & recreational projects - Finance - State of Minnesota Capital - half & half tax projects - Nordic lower Spirit) to support capital improvements at the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept these funds and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth will meet the required match of $424,225 with funding from previously awarded Federal Recreational Trail Grants and previously committed contributions from the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority and Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of a Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,254,471 with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to support capital improvements at the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA). The required match for the grant of $424,225 will be met through two previously awarded Federal Recreational Trail Program grants and previously committed contributions from the SMRA Authority and Duluth Cross Country Ski Club.
The City and Authority have worked collaboratively towards the continued development of recreational facilities at the SMRA, including coordinating the pursuit of additional funding to support capital improvements. The City and Authority cooperatively prepared a successful application to the GRMPTC and the grant was awarded. The Authority held the associated GRMPTC grant agreement for the project. The City of Duluth and Authority established a joint powers agreement to guide the roles and responsibilities of the parties regarding the grant funded capital improvements of the SMRA, which included identifying the City of Duluth as fiscal agent for the project. This fall, the MNDNR determined it would be beneficial to replace the grant agreement between the Authority and the MNDNR with an agreement directly between the City of Duluth and the MNDNR.