10-13-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2021 RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR GERVAIS MILL PARK TRAIL GRANT APPLICATION The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager explained that the city was awarded $97,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Gervais Mill Park Trail improvements and staff is working on completing all of the requirements for the grant, which includes adopting a resolution that supports the grant application, accepts the award and agreeing to maintain the trail for a minimum of 20 years. He noted that the city has until 2023 to utilize the grant funds. Fischer introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2021-10-117 — APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRAIL GRANT APPLICA TION, A CCEPTANCE OF THE A WARD AND A GREEMENT TO MAINTAIN GER VAIS MILL PARK TRAIL The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Keis. Roll Call Vote: Keis/Torkelson/McGraw/Fischer/Miller Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution adopted. RONDEAU PARK IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager explained that staff is looking for direction from the City Council on potential improvements to Rondeau Park. He explained that Rondeau Park is a 3-acre neighborhood park located on the west side of the city. He stated that the park was constructed in 2003 and has trails, playground, half -court basketball court, a drinking fountain and benches. The park also provides a paved loop trail within the park and has a direct connection to large apartment units, single-family housing, the Jackson Street trail, and connects to the Water Works trail that is located between Country Drive and South Owasso Boulevard. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager stated that Rondeau Park is .also in a Qualified Census Tract (QCT). He explained that to qualify for a QCT, there must be 50 percent of the households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more. He stated that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds can be an eligible use for parks and other outdoor recreation spaces within a QCT. Since Rondeau Park is within a QCT, the American Rescue Plan Act fiends that the city received could be used for Rondeau Park improvements. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager explained that if the Council agrees to move forward with a new playground, there will have to be a quick community engagement effort since one of the grants has a November 2 deadline. He stated that about $25,000 in installation costs can be saved by doing a community build again. Keis stated that he thought the community build for Spooner Park went very well and a lot of people helped, and he thinks that we should be able to choose a playground for this park in a couple of weeks. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager reported there is a potential funding source, and stated that staff is working on a project that can be bid and quoted over the winter and 3