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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN AN AMOUNT OF $300,450 FOR THE PURPOSE OF HARTLEY PARK LAND ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to execute a grant agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as exhibit A, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for restoration and acquisition of 16 acres of Hartley Nature Preserve land currently owned by ISD 709 Duluth Public Schools.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to accept a grant award in the amount of $300,450; said funds to be deposited into 205-130-1220-CM205-Hartly (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Park Maintenance, Hartley), with $64,499 in matching funds to be provided by in-kind labor through Community Action Duluth’s invasive species removal and fund 205-130-1220-CM205-Hartly (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Park Maintenance, Hartley).
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes proper city officials to execute a grant agreement and accept a $300,450 grant award from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to acquire 16 acres adjoining Hartley Nature Preserve that is currently owned by ISD 709 Duluth Public Schools.
The 16-acre property adjacent to Hartley Park includes a cold water tributary to Tischer Creek, a designated trout stream. Once acquired, the land will be restored by Community Action Duluth Stream Corps to remove non-native species and encourage growth of native species. Water flow to adjacent wetlands will also be restored by replacing a clogged culvert. Acquisition and restoration of these parcels will prevent additional detrimental impacts to water quality and channel stability in both the tributary and the main stem of Tischer Creek. The acquisition will also preserve recreational connectivity to the park from the Pleasantville neighborhood and preserve a buffer between future development and Hartley Nature Center’s primary programming area.
After the grant agreement is executed, staff will bring additional measures to Council to approve the purchase, authorize a notice of funding restrictions, and designate the newly acquired property as a part of Hartley Park.