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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO AND, IF OFFERED, ACCEPTANCE OF A $1,527,909 GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAIL COMMISSION GRANT FOR THE GRAND AVENUE NORDIC CENTER AT SPIRIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth has previously applied for and received formal recognition by the Greater Minnesota Regional Park and Trail Commission (GMRPTC) for Spirit Mountain Recreation Area as a special recreational area regional park, and
WHEREAS, the city has the legal authority to sponsor a funding application for Grand Avenue Nordic Center project, consistent with the council approved Spirit Mountain Recreation Area 2017 Master Plan Update.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to submit a funding application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Park and Trail Commission in the amount of $1,527,909 to complete construction of the Grand Avenue Nordic Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if selected for funding by the GMRPTC, the city of Duluth has the legal authority to accept the funds and will provide $50,000 in matching funds from 452-030-5530-HANDHTAX1506 (Tourism & Recreational Projects, Finance, Improvements Other Than Buildings, Half & Half Tax Projects-Nordic Lower Spirit) ; the remaining non-state match will be provided as follows: $150,000 from a secured Federal Recreational Trail Program Grant, $74,225 from a secured Federal Recreational Equipment Program Grant, $145,600 from Spirit Mountain Recreation Authority, and $150,278 from the Duluth Cross Country Ski Club.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of the funding application by the state, the city may enter into the memorandum agreement, attached hereto as exhibit A, and the grant agreement with the state of Minnesota for the above-referenced project, and that the city certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant contract including dedicating the park as a special recreational feature regional park for uses consistent with the grant program into perpetuity.
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.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the application to and, if offered, acceptance of a $1,527,909 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to support construction of the Grand Avenue Nordic Center at Spirit Mountain Recreation Area. In order to be considered for funding, the granting agency requires passage of this resolution as well as approval of the attached Memorandum.
The application seeks full funding to support construction of the Grand Avenue Nordic Center, including completion of the final trail loop (loop III), connector trail to existing cross-country ski trails at the top of Spirit Mountain, snowmaking equipment, pumps, snowguns and lighting. The Grand Avenue Nordic ski trails provide a dependable extended season venue for recreational skiing, youth activities and regional high school events, including the potential to host Statewide Nordic finals. The project will become a regional center of activity for cross country skiing by extending the season early and late and providing skiing when there is inadequate natural snow. Lighting provides the opportunity for early morning and night skiing during a time of year when natural light is limited during the non-working hours. If approved, grant funds would be available in July 2020 and have to be spent by June 2023.
Project partners have committed to provide a total non-state match of $570,103. More than 90% of the non-state match will come from the federal government, Duluth Cross Country Ski Club, and Spirit Mountain Recreation Authority. The City of Duluth will contribute a maximum of $50,000 drawn exclusively from City funds previously dedicated to Grand Avenue Nordic Center that were not spent in Phase I of the project. In the likely event that the state provides less than full funding, matching contributions from Duluth Cross Country Ski Club, Spirit Mountain Recreation Authority, and the City of Duluth will decrease in proportion to the size of the total state grant.