Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT OF $350,000 FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PARK IMPROVEMENTS AT NORTON PARK.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 25-0150R authorized application to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program for a grant of up to $350,000 to support park improvements at Norton Park.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to execute the grant agreement and any amendments thereto, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, with the State of Minnesota to accept a grant of $350,000 from the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program to support implementation of park improvements at Norton Park, with said funds to be deposited into fund 452-030-5530-HANDHTAX-1527-11 (tourism & recreational projects, finance, improvements other than buildings, Half & Half tax projects, neighborhood parks, Norton Park).
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth will meet the required match of $350,000 through funding from Parks Capital and the Storm Utility Fund.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Nina Salinas, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of grant funds in an amount of $350,000 from the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to support implementation of park improvements at Norton Park. The City will meet the required match of $350,000 with funding in the amount of $310,000 from Parks Capital and $40,000 from the Storm Utility Fund.
This grant funding will support the realization of community identified priorities to improve the neighborhood park through replacement of the dilapidated building that was removed in 2025 with a new pavilion, replacement of the playground that is at the end of its useful life, addressing drainage problems at the multi-use field to improve useability, resetting the lifecycle of supporting amenities, constructing new access routes, and implementing needed stormwater management practices on site. The project will effectively address deferred maintenance at Norton Park consistent with community feedback and the goals identified in the St. Louis River Corridor Parks Mini-Master Plans adopted in 2016, which included Norton Park.