Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
title
Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Battle Creek Waterworks Facility Improvements
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Fiscal Year 2024 state of Minnesota Modernization Funds for Battle Creek Waterworks Facility Improvements for the period of grant execution through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $1,313,520.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements, in accordance with the county' s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
end
end
Background and Rationale
body
Ramsey County owns and operates the Battle Creek Waterworks water park facility located at 2401 Upper Afton Road East, Maplewood, MN 55119. The water park was constructed in 2000 to serve the community as a family water park within the Ramsey County regional park system. As the facility is nearing 25 years old, there are several maintenance needs including needed repairs to mechanical systems, American with Disabilities Act accessibility upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades, pool improvements, and new amenities needed to enhance the user experience. If maintenance issues are not addressed at the water park, the facility could experience business interruptions.
During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, modernization funding was approved by the legislature to support infrastructure projects within the regional parks and trails system.
In February 2024, the Ramsey County Board authorized the County Manger to establish a project budget for the Battle Creek Waterworks remodel and on July 23, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved the project budget and financing plan.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Battle Creek Waterworks facility is located within a racially diverse community and the majority patrons utilizing the facility are racially and ethnically diverse. Parks & Recreation staff conducted community engagement prior to the planning phase of this project to ascertain resident’s desires for this facility. Engagement results found that community members greatly valued having a water park at this location and were very much in favor of addressing maintenance needs and investing in enhancements to the facility.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Parks conducted community engagement with residents during 2023 to obtain feedback from residents about their deserves for improvements to the water park facility as well as user experience. Parks staff were able to incorporate feedback from residents into the renovation plans for the facility.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Project spend for the Battle Creek Waterworks Renovation Project Budget is projected to be $5,393,223 and includes:
• $2,425,635 of funding from the state of Minnesota General Obligation Bonds and Metropolitan Council Bonds,
• $1,077,067 of Legacy grant funds,
• $577,000 of Operations and Maintenance funding from the state of Minnesota, and
• $1,313,520 of state Modernization Funds.
The project is expected to take place during the non-operating months so there should not be a fiscal impact to the operation of the facility.
Last Previous Action
On July 23, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved the amended project budget and financing plan for Battle Creek Waterworks (Resolution B2024-132).
On February 6, 2024, the Ramsey County Board authorized the county manger to establish a project budget for the Battle Creek Waterworks remodel (Resolution B2024-022).
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement
2. Project Budget and Funding Source