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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,312,000 FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE THOM STORM CHALET AND OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER AT CHESTER PARK.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 24-0229R authorized application to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund for up to $2,850,000 to complete a renovation of the Thom Storm Chalet and Outdoor Recreation Center at Chester Park.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to accept the grant contract agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, with the State of Minnesota to receive and expend the appropriated funds from the 2025 Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) in an amount not to exceed $2,312,000.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the budget for this grant agreement has been revised from the original authorized application to reflect a reduced allocation of $538,000 in ENRTF funding. To offset this decrease, there is a corresponding increase in the required local match funding to meet the total project cost of $3,815,121.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth will meet the total required local match of $1,503,121 for the project through a combination of fundraising efforts by the Chester Bowl Improvement Club (Club), including donations, additional grant applications submitted by the Club, and proceeds from the ‘Growing Up Chester’ capital fundraising campaign.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth understands that the grants from ENRTF are paid out on a reimbursement basis, and the City of Duluth has the financial capability to pay project expenses prior to seeking reimbursement with said grant funds to be deposited into 205-130-1220-4220-01-CM205-CHSTER (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Parks Capital, State of Minnesota Capital, Capital Maintenance Fund 205, Chester Park).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept these funds and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Josh Bailey, City of Duluth Interim Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $2,312,000 from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to construct a new building and accessible parking for the Thom Storm Chalet and Outdoor Recreation Center (Center) at Chester Park.
The Chester Bowl Improvement Club (Club) operates at Chester Park under a management agreement with the City of Duluth, delivering outdoor recreation and educational programs for children, families, and underserved community members. Activities include ski and snowboard programs, summer day camps, community events, and youth leadership development. These summer programs serve as primary childcare for many low-income families in Duluth.
Unfortunately, due to inadequate space, the Club must turn away dozens of families who need this service each year.
The Center is located within Chester Park and no longer meets community needs. The existing building is past its useful lifespan, and the demand for Club programming exceeds the building’s capacity.
The City of Duluth will:
• collaboratively coordinate with the Club during final design and project implementation,
• manage the grant agreement,
• competitively bid the project,
• award the construction contract for the renovations,
• oversee project implementation,
• retain ownership of the facility.
This resolution secures $2,312,000 in state funding to renovate and expand a vital community recreation center serving Duluth youth, families, and visitors. The City of Duluth will continue to coordinate with the Club for use of the Center.