Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Grant Award from the Metropolitan Council for Legacy Amendment Parks and Trails Fund Project
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Recommendation
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1. Accept grant award from and approve the grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Legacy Amendment Parks and Trails Fund Project for the period upon execution through December 31, 2025, in the total amount of $184,031.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the grant agreement in the form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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During the 2024 regular legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated funds to be used for the sole purpose of planting trees in the regional parks and trails system within the grantees jurisdiction (Chapter 116, Article 1, Section 5). Funding through the legacy program provides improvements to regional parks and trails within Ramsey County.
Parks received $184,031 for State Fiscal Year 2025. In 2023, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation department received a grant from Metropolitan Council for the removal of dead or declining ash trees infected with emerald ash borer, which is an invasive exotic beetle. An Ash Tree Management Plan was developed and is posted on the Ramsey County website. <https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/environment/habitats-natural-resources/ash-tree-management-plan> These funds will be utilized to plant more diverse, climate-adapted species trees.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The grant agreement requires that tree planting is designated to regional parks within Ramsey County. The trees planted will be mapped and priority will be given to areas that are within the Climate and Economic Justice 40 map and zip code 55119 within Battle Creek Regional Park. This map assesses and identifies communities that are disadvantaged through a number of indicators such as energy, health, housing, climate change, pollution, transportation to name a few. More information can be found at the official government website; <https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/methodology>
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community engagement associated with this request for board action
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
This grant is a one-time allocation of $184,031 from the Legacy Amendment grant funding. The administration for this grant will be covered in the 2025 operating budget for the Parks and Recreation department. This is new revenue and will be added as an addendum to the proposed 2025 Supplementary Budget.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement