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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR A GRANT OF UP TO $1 MILLION FOR FUNDS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HILLSIDE SPORT COURT PARK PLAN.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 23-0617R authorized the approval and future implementation of the Hillside Sport Court Park Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the local administrator for the National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, which provides grant funding to support improved recreation opportunities in economically-disadvantaged communities; and
WHEREAS, the cost to fully implement the Hillside Sport Court Park Plan is anticipated to exceed available funding resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to apply for grant funds not to exceed $1 million from the National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to support implementation of the Hillside Sport Court Park Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth will meet the required 1:1 match through funding from Revenue Replacement allocations, Parks Capital, land sale revenue, and departmental underspending.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Duluth will act as legal sponsor for the project contained in the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant application to be submitted on 26/04/2023 and that Katie Bennett, Senior Parks Planner, is hereby authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of this project on behalf of the City of Duluth.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the applicant has read the Federal Conflict of Interest Disclosure, 2 CFR §1402.112 and, upon discovery, certifies it will report to the State any actual, potential, or perceived individual or organizational conflicts of interest to the application or grant award.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Duluth has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and it has the financial capability to meet the match requirement and ensure adequate construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the proposed project for its design life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Duluth has not incurred any development costs and has not entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire the property described in the budget section on this application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Duluth has or will acquire fee title or permanent easement over the land described in the site plan included in the application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon approval of its application by the State, the City of Duluth may enter into an agreement with the State for the above-referenced project, and that the City of Duluth certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement including recording a restriction dedicating the park property into perpetuity for uses consistent with Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program on the property record.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the application for grant funds in an amount not to exceed $1 million from the National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, administered locally through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to support implementation of the Hillside Sport Court Park Plan. The City will meet the required 1:1 match with funding from American Rescue Plan Act Revenue Replacement allocations, Parks Capital, property sale revenue, and the departmental General Fund budget.
Full implementation of the adopted Hillside Sport Court Park Plan calls for improved accessibility throughout the park, removal of a dilapidated building, installation of a pavilion and picnic area, renewal of the sport court, replacement of the playground, improved parking, improved neighborhood connectivity, tree removal and replacement, repair or replacement of other park assets such as fencing, signage, bicycle racks, retaining walls, stairs, etc., and maintaining a balance between open green space and space for a community garden.
Completing improvements at Hillside Sport Court is consistent with action item C7 in the Essential Spaces: Duluth Parks, Recreation, Trails & Open Space Plan, which calls for the development of a Hillside Sport Court Park Plan and to seek funding to support the implementation of the plan’s outcomes. Additionally, implementing the Hillside Sport Court Park Plan will forward six goals identified in the Essential Spaces Plan:
• Goal A. Increase park funding, in line with industry standards, to create and maintain a high-quality, four-season park system, that will effectively enhance the health and well-being of our community.
• Goal B. Invest strategically to decrease routine and long-term maintenance requirements, leverage outside funding, and support community-based priorities.
• Goal C. Balance maintenance, reinvestment, consolidation, and new construction of park infrastructure to meet current and future system needs within a sustainable budget framework.
• Goal G. Promote inclusion in our park spaces, facilities, and programs ensuring that all persons have equitable and appropriate access to our park and recreation system.
• Goal H. Activate parks spaces to support local, social, cultural, and economic advancement.
Likewise, implementing improvements to Hillside Sport Court Park will support the Imagine Duluth 2035 comprehensive plan, specifically making progress in alignment with:
• Guiding Principle #10 - Take actions that enhance the environment, economic, and social well-being of the community.
• Open Space Policy #3 - Remove barriers to accessing parks and open space.