Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH THE DECC PERTAINING TO THE CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION FACILITY.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
Resolved, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to enter an Agreement substantially in the form of that attached hereto as Exhibit A with the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority (the "DECC") for the City to construct and the DECC to operate the proposed Cruise Passenger Clearance Facility as part of the DECC facilities for the use of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to authorize an agreement with the DECC for the design, construction and operation of the proposed Cruise Passenger Clearance Facility in and adjacent to the DECC on the harbor side of the building. This facility is required by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to allow the handling of international passengers which are scheduled to start coming to Duluth in 2023 as part of the Vikings Expedition LTD's 2023 cruise schedule.
The design for the facility has already been approved and bids have already been opened for its construction. The City will construct the project at its cost, a portion of which will be defrayed by the funds Viking's has already invested in the project. When completed, the DECC will then be responsible for the operation and the maintenance of the facility to meet the CBP's standards.