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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO AND, IF OFFERED, ACCEPTANCE OF A $1,308,946 GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARK AND TRAIL COMMISSION GRANT FOR HARTLEY PARK MINI MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth has the legal public authority to sponsor a $1,308,946 funding request associated with the council approved Hartley Park Mini Master Plan, which has been previously designated by the Greater Minnesota Regional Park and Trail Commission (GMRPTC) as a regional park, and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth is aware of the information provided in the funding request, including any non-state match and other long-term commitments, related master plan and any supporting information as submitted.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, if selected for funding by the GMRPTC, the city of Duluth shall act as a legal sponsor for the project contained in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Application, and that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of this project on behalf of the applicant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth has not incurred any development costs and owns in fee simple the property described in the funding request and therefore, also in the state’s grant application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth has fee title over the land described in the funding request and therefore, also in the state’s grant application for regional parks has fee title.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the state, the applicant may enter into an agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as exhibit A, with the state of Minnesota for the above-referenced project, and that the applicant certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant contract including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the grant program into perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the chief financial officer is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the application to and, if offered, acceptance of a $1,308,946 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission for Hartley Park.
On July 16, 2018, City Council approved application for, but not acceptance of, funding for this project The granting agency strictly requires resolution to apply for and accept funding; therefore, this request will replace resolution 18-0483R.
The application includes $1,000,000 for the Hartley Nature Center building project, $59,246 for signage and wayfinding, and $249,700 for additional parking. Hartley Nature Center will provide $250,000 towards the building project and the city will provide a 25% match of $77,236 from the Parks Fund towards parking and wayfinding. If funded, the building project will add classroom space that will enable significant expansion of public programs, summer camps, and youth field trips. The signage project will install a comprehensive wayfinding system that will provide much needed guidance to citizens and visitors who often struggle to navigate the park. The parking project will add 64 parking spaces by modestly widening the entrance road so that the current use of the road for overflow parking may continue more safely than is the case today.