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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE OUTDOORS PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $167,783 TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE DULUTH TRAVERSE, A DESIGNATED REGIONAL TRAIL.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to accept and execute the Connecting People to the Outdoors Program grant contract agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A, with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission in the amount of $167,783, with said funds to be deposited into 205-130-1220-4220-01-CM205-PRGRMG-21LGCY (Parks Fund - Community Resources - Parks Capital - State of Minnesota Capital - Capital Maintenance Fund - Parks Programming Grants - 2021 Legacy).
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept the money and financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project. The City will meet the required $103,150 match with funds from Capital Equipment Program Bonding and the Parks Fund.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jennifer Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of a grant award from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC), Connecting People to the Outdoors Program in the amount of $167,783 to introduce disadvantaged Duluth youth to mountain biking so that they may enjoy and benefit from Duluth’s citywide trail system. The grant contract is attached as Exhibit A.
The grant program is funded by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment and administered by the GMRPTC. The purpose of the grant program is to increase access to state-designated regionally significant parks and trails for disadvantaged youth. Duluth has three such parks and trails: Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, the Duluth Traverse, and Hartley Park. Programming must take place primarily on these parks and trails.
The three-year-long program associated with the purchase of the mobile mountain bike fleet will be conducted in partnership with youth-serving nonprofit organizations including Valley Youth Center, the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Courage Kenny, as well as general community outreach. There will be no charge for participation. Programming will take place mostly during summer and after school. City staff will meet groups by appointment at an agreed upon trailhead or park. A qualified instructor will teach basic bike skills, trail etiquette, and safety rules as well as more advanced skills as youth progress. Lessons and equipment will be age appropriate.
The total project cost is $270,933. Grant funds totaling $167,783 will pay for purchase, maintenance, replacement, and transportation of a fleet of mountain bikes and other program costs. The City of Duluth will provide a matching contribution totaling $103,150. The City’s match will include proceeding with the previously approved purchase of two 15-passenger vans and one truck for Parks and Recreation programming vehicles as included in the current Capital Equipment Program Bonding budget. The remaining match contribution will include marketing of the program and purchasing program and instructor supplies with funding from the Parks Fund.