Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAKE SUPERIOR COASTAL PROGRAM GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 FOR FUNDS TO REPLACE BEACH DUNE-CROSSING BOARDWALKS ON MINNESOTA POINT.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to accept and execute the a Lake Superior Coastal Program grant contract agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, with said funds to be deposited into fund 205-130-1220-4210-01-CM205-PKPT-21CSTL (Parks Fund - Community Resources - Parks Capital - Pass-thru Federal Grants Capital - Capital Maintenance Fund - Park Point - 2021 Coastal Grant).
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept these funds and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project. The City will meet the required 1:1 match through the value and use of boards that were salvaged during the Lakewalk reconstruction project and in-kind labor for the demolition and installation of the new dune-crossing boardwalks.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West 1st Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This Resolution authorizes acceptance of a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) Lake Superior Coastal Program to assist with the replacement of two beach dune-crossing boardwalks on Minnesota Point, including design costs. Access to Minnesota Point Beach requires crossing sensitive beach dune habitat. In order to protect this habitat, the City designates beach access points and directs pedestrian traffic over dune-spanning boardwalks. The existing beach access boardwalks are damaged and in need of replacement.
These funds are intended to assist with the replacement of the boardwalk near Lafayette Community Center and the boardwalk near the Park Point Recreation Area volleyball courts. The replacement dune-crossings will be constructed with pre-fabricated steel frames and topped by boards that were salvaged from the former Lakewalk. The City will meet the required 1:1 match through the use and value of these salvaged boards and in-kind labor for the demolition of the existing boardwalks and installation of the new boardwalks.
Inflation and the rising cost of materials and shipping has increased overall project costs related to this grant application. Parks and Recreation staff is working with MNDNR to revise the scope of work under this grant and intends to apply for the next round of funding to cover the remaining project costs. Should the City be awarded additional funds under this contract, a revised Resolution will come before Council at a later date. Likewise, a Resolution to apply for the next round of funding will come before Council at a later date, as well. In the interim, staff wishes to move forward with the current contract in order to complete the design plan prior to the next grant application deadline, as typically required by the granting agency.