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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Bryce Shearen, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager <br /> Chris Heineman, City Administrator <br /> <br />DATE: March 21, 2021 <br /> <br />RE: Resolution of Support for Gervais Mill Park Grant Applications <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />The City Council is asked to pass a Resolution Supporting the Minnesota Department of Natural <br />Resources Local Trail Connection Program Grant and pass a Resolution Supporting the <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program for Gervais <br />Mill Park improvements. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Gervais Mill Entrance Enhancement off Noel Drive has been identified in the City’s Capital <br />Improvement Fund (CIP) and has been a top priority by the Parks & Recreation Commission. <br />The goal of the enhancement is to create an accessible entrance area and connect the two trails to <br />keep pedestrians from having to use Noel Drive to access the trails. At the March 11, 2020, City <br />Council meeting, the City Council approved the design of the entrance area and trail connection. <br />After receiving bids for the project, the amount budgeted in 2020 was not enough to complete <br />the work. The budgeted amount was increased for 2021. <br /> <br />Staff has been working with Bolton & Menk to identify alternative funding sources and Bolton <br />& Menk has found two potential grant opportunities to help fund a portion of the project. Both <br />grants are through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Part of the application <br />process is submitting Resolutions of Support for each grant (see attached). The 2021 Local Trail <br />Connection Grant requires $35,000 in non-state matching funds for the project. The total cost <br />for the trail connection is still being finalized at this time and will be included in the application. <br /> <br />SOURCE OF FUNDS: <br />The 2021 budget includes $110,000 in the General Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 400) for <br />this project. Should the grant funds be awarded, the City of Little Canada’s share of the cost <br />would be reduced to the required $35,000 match and any remaining project costs. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Staff recommends that the City Council pass a Resolution of Support for following applications: <br />• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Local Trail Connection Program <br />• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Program <br />