Laserfiche WebLink
Staff Report <br />To:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br />From:Laura Linehan, Assistant City Administrator <br />Date: December 17, 2025 <br />Re:Grant Application for the St. Paul Area Association of Relations (SPAAR) Key <br />Communities Grant Program <br />Action To Be Considered: <br />Motion to approve, table, or deny the following: <br />Staff submitting an application to the St. Paul Area Association of Relations (SPAAR) Key <br />Communities Grant Program <br />Background: <br />SPAAR Key Communities Grant Program <br />The purpose of the Key Communities Program is to build strong ties between SPAAR Realtor® <br />members and communities in SPAAR’s jurisdiction. With recent funding allocated from SPAAR’s <br />Board of Directors and the Government Affairs Committee, SPAAR is excited to announce the sixth <br />year of the program. Three communities will be chosen by the members of SPAAR’s Government <br />Affairs Committee. <br />Some projects that have been done by cities within the Twin Cities Metro include: <br />Community Banners along Coon Rapids Boulevard in Coon Rapids <br />A Wayfinding Study in Farmington <br />Walkability Studies in Faribault and Bayport <br />Hanging Flower Baskets on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul <br />Placemaking Software in Centerville <br />Diversity Banners in Burnsville <br />A home improvement booklet in Blaine <br />Multilingual Housing Resource Class in Columbia Heights <br />When the cities have been chosen, SPAAR members and staff will work with community stakeholders <br />in each city to determine a city-led program or project that will be funded with a grant of up to $1,500 <br />and help identify other relevant grants available. The grant shall fund efforts related to <br />homeownership, placemaking, walkability, etc. <br />Grant applications are due on January 5, 2026, and city staff would like to submit the city’s new <br />Community Connections Engagement Program to help cover costs in implementing the program. Staff <br />met with a representative from SPAAR who recommended submitting the program in its entirety. <br />National Association of Realtors (NAR) Grant Program