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RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION FOR UP TO $665,000 TO THE GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO SUPPLEMENT A PREVIOUSLY AWARDED MINNESOTA LEGACY PARKS AND TRAILS GRANT FOR the SPIRIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA RENEWAL PROJECT.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has the right and authority to sponsor a grant funding request to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC).
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has a right and authority to act as Legal Sponsor for the State Grant Application (the “Application”) and will work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), in developing a Grant Agreement relating to the funding which may be awarded by the GMRPTC.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Duluth certifies it has read and understands the Office of Grants Management Conflict of Interest Policy 08-01, will maintain an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and monitor and report any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest to the GMRPTC and DNR.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth confirms all of the information in its Application and further confirms that it has no expectation of, or entitlement to, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to grant agreement execution date and, if applicable, it has not entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire property described in its Application if grant funds are to be used for the purchase.
BE IT FURTHE RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth has or will acquire a fee interest ownership or permanent easement over the land described in the Application for regional parks and regional special feature parks as applicable. The City of Duluth has or will acquire a fee interest, permanent or perpetual easement or minimum twenty (20) year lease over the land described in the Application for regional trails or regional special feature parks, as applicable and approved, before the project proceeds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth agrees that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and requirements as stated in the Grant Agreement with the DNR, including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity or for trails, committing to maintain the trails for a period of not less than twenty (20) years, and dedicating all land acquired under the project for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD, that the GMRPTC will confirm at such time that it has made the award of funds authorizing a Grant Agreement to be developed between the DNR and the City of Duluth.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application for up to $665,000 to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to supplement a previously awarded Minnesota Legacy Parks and Trails Grant for the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Renewal Project. Match will be provided with Athletic Venue Reinvestment Initiative half-and-half tourism tax funds previously authorized to pay for improvements to the lower Spirit Mountain Nordic Center (Spirit Mountain, Fund 452-030-5530-HANDHTAX-1506).
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and trails Commission has put aside funds for this special supplementary grant program to help local governments complete Legacy-Grant-funded projects in-progress across the state that have faced cost overruns attributable to pandemic construction cost inflation and/or flood damage. If awarded, these funds will enable Duluth to more robustly meet the requirements of the grant at lesser cost to the City and Spirit Mountain in money and staff time.
The original grant was awarded to pay for a mix of improvements to City recreational assets (principally snowmobile trails and bridges) and Spirit recreational assets (principally mountain bike trails and Nordic skiing trails).