Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE CITIZENS COMMISSION ON MINNESOTA RESOURCES FOR FUNDS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND FOR UP TO $155,000 TO SUPPORT ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS AT HAWK RIDGE NATURE RESERVE.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, Duluth City Council resolution 22-0527R approved the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Mini-Master Plan to identify phased improvements at Hawk Ridge to enhance educational program offerings and improve safety and accessibility; and
WHEREAS, the City of Duluth, in collaboration with the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, seeks $155,000 to support accessibility improvements at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in alignment with the first phase of the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Mini-Master Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth supports the above referenced project and authorizes the submittal of a proposal for funding on this project on behalf of the City of Duluth to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) in response to the 2025 Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Request for Proposal.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if funding is awarded, the City of Duluth agrees to accept the award and may enter into an agreement with the state of Minnesota for the above referenced project. The City of Duluth will comply with all applicable laws, environmental requirements, and regulations and any additional conditions stated in the grant agreement and the approved LCCMR work plan.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of Duluth understands that grants from the ENRTF are generally paid out on a reimbursement basis. The City of Duluth has the financial capability to pay for project expenses prior to seeking reimbursement. If awarded, funds will be deposited to 205-130-1220-4220-01-CM205-HWKRDG (Parks fund, community resources, Parks capital, State of Minnesota Capital, capital maintenance fund 205, Hawk Ridge).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth will meet the required twenty five percent match for the project from Parks capital, previously secured grants held by the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, and in-kind staff support from Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of Duluth certifies none of the current principals of City of Duluth have been convicted of a felony financial crime in the last ten years. For this purpose, a principal is defined as a public official, a board member, or staff that would have the authority to access or determine the use of ENRTF funds, if awarded.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of Duluth is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and work plans as necessary and Katie Bennett, Senior Parks Planner, is authorized to implement the project on behalf of the City of Duluth.
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 City of Duluth officials to submit a grant application to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for up to $155,000 from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund to support accessibility improvements at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (Hawk Ridge). The required twenty-five percent match of $52,000 will be met with $25,000 from Parks capital, and $27,000 from previously secured grants awarded to and held by the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) and in-kind staff support provided by HRBO.
In June of 2022, Duluth City Council approved Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Mini-Master Plan. The Plan identified project needs and phasing for future investments to enhance educational program offerings and improve safety and accessibility at Hawk Ridge. If awarded, this grant from the LCCMR will support implementation of accessibility improvements at Hawk Ridge in alignment with the first phase of facility improvements.