Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
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Awards from the Metropolitan Council for Regional Parks Operation and Maintenance Allocation
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Recommendation
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1. Accept awards from and approve agreements with the Metropolitan Council for Regional Parks Operation and Maintenance Allocation for the periods of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, in the total amounts of $1,625,382 for State Fiscal Year 2024 and an amount to be determined in July 2024 for State Fiscal Year 2025.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the allocation agreements.
3. Authorize the County Manager to accept State Fiscal Year 2025 Regional Parks Operation and Maintenance Allocation and enter into an agreement in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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The state of Minnesota provides funding to the Metropolitan Council for operation and maintenance of regional parks and open space system through General Fund Appropriations and 22.5% of money collected and received under Minnesota Statutes 297A.94. Minnesota Management and Budget has budgeted an appropriation of $17,490,000 for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 24 and $11,490,000 for SFY 25 for operations and maintenance of regional parks and open spaces. The Metropolitan Council is required to allocate funding in the form of agreements to the regional park implementing agencies for SFY 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024) and SFY 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025). The funding allocation is based on a statutory formula. Ramsey County has been allocated $1,625,382 for SFY 2024 and an amount to be determined in July 2024 for SFY 2025. Based on the amount to be received for SFY 2024, and the state of Minnesota appropriation for SFY 25, it is estimated Ramsey County will receive approximately $1,067,421 for SFY 25.
This agreement will cover both SFY 24 and SFY 25 funding allocations for operation and maintenance of regional parks and open space system. Approved allocation funds for SFY 2024 were available for use beginning July 1, 2023, and will have an agreement period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025. SFY 2025 funding amounts will not be known until July 2024 and will be based reporting for calendar year 2023 expenditures. Approved allocation funds for SFY 25 will be available for use beginning July 1, 2024, and will have a agreement period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Any adjustments to SFY 2025 funding amounts will be updated in SFY agreement contracts.
Operation and maintenance funding for regional parks and open spaces provides resources to implement maintenance and operation activities to the regional parks and trails within Ramsey County. These activities create safe places, build a sense of community, protect, restore, and preserve the environment.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Operation and maintenance funds for regional parks and open spaces meet a variety of residents’ needs for health, safety, and welfare throughout the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation system. Maintenance and operation activities are critical in maintaining regional parks and open space systems on a regional level resulting in connection with a wide demographic and diverse populations.
While the Metropolitan Council’s 2021 Parks and Trails Visitor Study noted a gap between the population of racially and ethnically diverse residents in regional and local park visitation, Ramsey County’s 21st Century Vision works to welcome new visitors to the park through safe and clean facilities, programming, active outreach, and equitable initiatives, such as the ordinance revision, and welcoming, user-friendly signage.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Initial community participation was conducted through the process of developing master plans for these regional parks and trails. Impact of maintenance and operation activities are demonstrated through satisfaction surveys collected every year to determine overall ratings for customer service, cleanliness and maintenance of facilities, and safety. Collective feedback received from satisfaction surveys provide critical information to advance maintenance and operation activities to meet the level of service demand and ultimately to increase the quality of life for all Ramsey County residents.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The county is responsible for providing ongoing maintenance and operations for regional park and trail facilities within the Ramsey County Park system. Funding provided through the Metropolitan Council for operation and maintenance of regional parks and open spaces allows for maintaining regional park and open space facilities. The agreement for the maintenance and operation allocations are included in the Parks operation budget. Funding amounts for FY 2024 ($1,625,382) and FY 2025 (to be determined in July 2024, but is estimated at $1,067,421) are included within this agreement. Allocation amounts for SFY 2024 are higher than previous years for SFY 2022 ($848,038) and SFY 2023 ($849,153).
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. SFY 2024 and SFY 2025 Operation and Maintenance Allocation Agreement