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Resolution approving application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission for grant funding in the amount of up to $1,500,000 to provide improved recreational access to the st louis river estuary
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has the right and authority to sponsor a grant funding request to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) for up to $1,500,000; and
WHEREAS, City of Duluth has a right and authority to act as Legal Sponsor for the State Grant Application (the “Application”) and will work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), in developing a Grant Agreement relating to the funding which may be awarded by the GMRPTC. The City of Duluth will match the application with $400,000 of Half & Half Tourism Tax proceeds.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Applicant certifies it has read and understands the Office of Grants Management Conflict of Interest Policy 08-01, will maintain an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and monitor and report any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest to the GMRPTC and DNR.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to apply for grant funding up to $1,500,000 from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and trails Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant confirms all of the information in its Application and further confirms that it has no expectation of, or entitlement to, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to grant agreement execution date and, if applicable, it has not entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire property described in its Application if grant funds are to be used for the purchase.
BE IT FURTHE RESOLVED, that the Applicant has or will acquire a fee interest ownership or permanent easement over the land described in the Application for regional parks and regional special feature parks as applicable. The applicant has or will acquire a fee interest, permanent or perpetual easement or minimum twenty (20) year lease over the land described in the Application for regional trails or regional special feature parks, as applicable and approved, before the project proceeds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant agrees that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and requirements as stated in the Grant Agreement with the DNR, including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity or for trails, committing to maintain the trails for a period of not less than twenty (20) years, and dedicating all land acquired under the project for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD, that the GMRPTC will confirm at such time that it has made the award of funds authorizing a Grant Agreement to be developed between the DNR and the Applicant.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) for grant funding of up to $1,500,000 to provide improved recreational access to the restored St. Louis River Estuary.
If awarded, funds will be used to implement portions of three integrated Council-approved plans for, respectively, a riverfront bike/pedestrian trail (Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail), the federally designated St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail, and the Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail Interpretive Plan.
The grant would be used for the following specific purposes:
• Improve the accessibility of the original 3.3-mile bike/pedestrian trail (Segment 0).
• Extend Waabizheshikana by constructing all, or portions of, Segments 1, 2, and 3.
• Implement the Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail Interpretive Plan on the existing trail (Segment 0) and Segments 1, 2, and 3.
The City has received formal recognition by the GMRPTC designating Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail as a regionally significant trail. The City has secured complementary support for the project from the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), US Steel, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minnesota Historical Society.
The City intends to provide a $400,000 non-state match for the project sourced from the proceeds of a one half of one percent increment in Duluth tourism taxes which may only be spent for capital improvements to public facilities in western Duluth for the purposes of tourism and outdoor recreation.