Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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State of Minnesota General Obligation Bond Declaration for Keller Regional Park
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the state of Minnesota General Bond Declaration as a requirement to the Metropolitan Council Regional Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Program Grant.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the state of Minnesota General Bond Declaration.
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Background and Rationale
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Ten cities, counties and special districts that operate regional parks and trails in the metro area make up the regional park implementing agencies, which includes Ramsey County. These agencies receive funding from the Metropolitan Council to acquire, develop and operate the Regional Park and Trail System. The Metropolitan Council is required by Minnesota Law to prepare a multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and to establish criteria and priorities for the allocation of funds from the CIP to the regional agencies. The Metropolitan Council submits a CIP bond funding request to the Minnesota Legislature based on the multi-year plan.
During State Fiscal Year 2016-2017, the department received Metropolitan Council Regional Park and Trails CIP funds in the amount of $709,000 for site improvements to Keller Regional Park. On February 27, 2018, a Metropolitan Council Regional Park and Trail CIP grant agreement was approved, and general county funds were authorized for implementation of improvements, and reimbursement after site improvements where completed. As a condition of that grant, a general obligation bond declaration is required to be recorded on the property where improvements are implemented. The declaration is meant to provide protection of land as parkland for use of Regional Park and Trail CIP funds which consist of state bonds and Metropolitan Council bonds. The department is in the process of closing out the Keller Regional CIP grant, and submission of the declaration to the Metropolitan Council is the last step prior to seeking repayment.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Funds received through the Regional Park and Trail CIP grant has allowed the department to make significant site improvements to Keller Regional Park that will have a regional impact and directly improve health and racial equity goals for access to park amenities and the natural resource. Keller Regional Park is in an area within Ramsey County that has 38.5% people of color and high park use by the Hmong community.
Community Participation Level and Impact
No specific community engagement was completed for the declaration, however initial community participation was conducted through the process of developing master plans for regional parks and trails. In 2010-2011, community engagement was completed in coordination with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation for a master plan update to Phalen-Keller Regional Park. Additionally, in 2017-2018, the department completed county-wide engagement for park and recreation improvements, which included Keller Regional Park during development of the 2018 Ramsey County Parks and Recreation System Plan. Both engagement periods defined long-term park and recreation needs with the community for Keller Regional Park.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The Ramsey County Board approved a temporary cash loan from the General Fund up to $709,000 to be repaid once the grant funds are approved and received from the Metropolitan Council. To close out grant activities and receive reimbursement of county funds utilized for improvements, a declaration will need to be approved and recorded on the property. Upon execution and recording of the declaration, Parks department will seek reimbursement and will repay the temporary cash loan.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On February 27, 2018, the Ramsey County Board approved the State Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Metropolitan Council Regional Parks and Trail Capital Improvement Program grant in the amount of $709,000 (Resolution B2018-059).
Attachments
1. State of Minnesota General Bond Declaration