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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $155,000 FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND FOR ENHANCING PRESERVATION AND ACCESSIBILITY AT HAWK RIDGE NATURE RESERVE.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 24-0226R authorized application to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), for up to $155,000 to support accessibility improvements at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve.
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 ENRTF, as recommended by the LCCMR in an amount not to exceed $155,000.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) will meet the required local match of $52,011, for a total project cost of $207,011, through funds previously expended during the development of the Hawk Ridge Mini-Master including:
- HRBO Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
- HRBO Lloyd K Johnson Foundation
- City of Duluth Capital Maintenance Fund:
205-130-1220-5319-CM205-HWKRDG-22MMP (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Parks Capital, Other Professional Services, Capital Maintenance Fund 205, Hawk Ridge, Mini-Master Plan)
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth understands that the grants from ENRTF are paid out on a reimbursement basis. The City has the financial capability to pay project expenses in advance, with reimbursement funds to be deposited into:
205-130-1220-4220-01-CM205-HWKRDG-22MMP (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Parks Capital, State of Minnesota Capital, Capital Maintenance Fund 205, Hawk Ridge Mini-Master Plan).
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 Baily, Interim Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the acceptance of $155,000 in grant funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for the construction of approximately 1,300 linear feet of universally accessible trail. This includes the development of an accessible loop and improved accessible access to a viewing platform, all designed to meet Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) recreational trail accessibility standards. Additionally, the funding will support the removal of approximately 1.25 acres of invasive plant species to restore native habitat and enhance ecological integrity.
This project directly supports the implementation of Phase I of the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Mini-Master Plan, which identifies two key issues: first, that individuals of all abilities currently lack equal access to high-quality outdoor recreation and conservation-based education at Hawk Ridge; and second, that terrestrial invasive species are degrading native plant communities within the reserve.
Completion of Phase I improvements will make possible future phases of grant-funded work including accessible parking, educational spaces, and an overlook area.
This resolution to implement Phase I of the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Mini-Master Plan is the first step in ensuring Hawk Ridge becomes a safer, more sustainable, accessible, and equitable space, allowing the HRBO to expand outdoor conservation-based education opportunities to more people and inspire new stewards of birds and our natural spaces.