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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Steve Anderson, Parks and Recreation Director <br /> <br />DATE: June 24, 2024 <br /> <br />RE: Be Active! Be Green! Bench Initiative Grant Resolution <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Motion to approve resolution authorizing execution of the agreement between the City and Ramsey <br />County for the “Be Active! Be Green! Bench Initiative” Grant Program. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Active Living Ramsey Communities works to place benches on trails and pedestrian corridors <br />throughout Ramsey County to create a more walkable environment for people of all ages and abilities. <br /> <br />The goal of the Be Active! Be Green! Bench Initiative is to have benches placed often enough that <br />when people sit on one bench, they're able to see the next one — with the thought that seniors, people <br />with disabilities, or small children can more easily make it to the next bench. <br /> <br />Currently benches are located throughout the county along many of Ramsey County's trails, as well as <br />within Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, St. Anthony <br />Village, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township. <br /> <br />Through a partnership with and funding from the Environmental Health Division of Saint Paul – <br />Ramsey County Public Health, Active Living Ramsey Communities grants free benches made from <br />recycled plastic with a Be Active! Be Green! message to non-profit organizations and governmental <br />units in Ramsey County. <br /> <br />The City has requested 13 benches for placement on the Waterworks Trail and Jackson Street (just <br />north of the Demont Hockey Rink). These areas have been identified for placement due to their lack <br />of benches, proximity to senior housing and connectivity to the overall parks trails system. <br /> <br />As part of the grant process, the City Council must approve a resolution authorizing execution of the <br />agreement. Once it has been authorized and signed, all materials will be submitted to Ramsey County. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Staff recommends approving the resolution authorizing execution of the agreement between the City <br />and Ramsey County for the “Be Active! Be Green! Bench Initiative” Grant Program. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />1. Resolution <br />2. Agreement <br />3. Award Letter <br />4. Map(s) of Bench Placement