Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR AND, UPON APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM FOR A COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANT TO STUDY I-35 TO RESTORE COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth (City) is authorized to apply for the federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program for a Community Planning Grant to study the downtown and West Duluth segments of I-35, with funding to be used for planning activities for future construction projects;
WHEREAS, the study proposes an analysis of the transportation system surrounding the I-35 corridor in Duluth with an emphasis on housing availability, economic equity, and climate resiliency; and will allow for innovative community planning to address community connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access and economic development, due to high speeds, grade separation and other Interstate related design factors as contained in the grant program application to be submitted by September 28, 2023;
WHEREAS, that the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial and financial capability to ensure adequate project administration;
WHEREAS, that the City has not violated any federal, state, or local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest, or other unlawful or corrupt practices;
THEREFORE RESOLVED, the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to apply to the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) program in the amount of $1,800,000 for the funding of this project;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will commit to leading a public and private partnership to provide the minimum 20 percent match of non-federal funds, required by the discretionary program which is estimated to be $450,000;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City her...
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