Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT 24401 WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO INCREASE THE FUNDING AWARD BY $224,000 TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING ALONG THE ST. LOUIS RIVER ESTUARY.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 22-0772R authorized a Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of the Interior National Park Service for the continued design and development of Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail and implementation of programming along the St. Louis River Estuary; and
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Agreement and the associated technical assistance provides opportunities to seek additional financial assistance throughout the term of the Cooperative Agreement and the City has now been awarded additional funding in the amount of $224,000 to support implementation of place-based educational and recreational programming along the Estuary, and an extension of the term of the agreement to an expiration date of September 20, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper city staff are authorized to accept and execute the third amendment to city contract No. 24401 with the National Park Service, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, and to draw down the appropriated funds, amending the scope to increase the financial assistance by $224,000 for a total award not to exceed $539,500, with said funds to be deposited into fund 452-130-1220-4209-02-HANDHTAX-1501-04 (Parks Fund - Community Resources - Parks Capital - Direct Federal Grants Operating - Half & Half Tax Projects - Waabizheshikana - Seg 0-2: 63rd Ave W to Blackmer Park).
FURTHER RESOLVED, 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, the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West 1st Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This is a resolution approving the third amendment to the Cooperative Agreement (City contract No. 24401), attached as Exhibit A, between the City of Duluth and National Park Service for continued design and development of Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail and implementation of place-based recreational opportunities along the St. Louis River Estuary. The amendment extends the term of the agreement to September 30, 2027 and increases the financial assistance by $224,000 for a total amount not to exceed $539,500.
The increase in funding will support the creation of a new 30-hour per week Recreation Specialist position for a three-year term. The new Recreation Specialist position is fully funded by this amendment. The position will be advertised and hired as a term position that will expire by September 30, 2027, or three years from the position’s start date, whichever is first. The new Recreation Specialist will have a focus on developing and implementing all-ages, place-based educational and recreational opportunities along the St. Louis River Estuary to activate newly improved parks and trails along the Estuary and connect the community to the restored and remediated river. Activities in the supported program will include, but not be limited to, hikes, nature-based environmental education, paddling, summer camps, fishing, and biking. A significant portion of the programming will be provided in collaboration with neighborhood-based, youth-serving nonprofit partners.
The Cooperative Agreement also provides the potential for future financial assistance awards, subject to available funding, to implement trail improvement phases for the elements listed above. In the event that funding becomes available, the Cooperative Agreement will be amended to include those awards and associated work plans, and return to Council for acceptance.
There is no cost to the City of Duluth.