06/06/2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

WS — Item 7 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 7 Date: June 6, 2011 To: Mayor and City Council From: Mary Alice Divine Re: Legacy Act Background Council requested information regarding accessing the Legacy Act funds. The Legacy Act was a sales tax increase approved by the voters in 2008 dedicated to 25 years of funding for projects that protect, enhance and restore wetlands, prairies, forest, and fish, game and wildlife habitat; preserve arts and cultural heritage; support parks and trails; and restore lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. The revenue collected from the sales tax is approximately $200 million per year. There are four separate Legacy Act funds. Approximately 14% is dedicated to parks and trails, 20% to arts /cultural heritage, 33% to outdoor heritage, and 33% to clean water. The funds are allocated in the following way: 40% goes to statewide programs designated by agencies such as the DNR and Metropolitan Council; 26% is designated by the state legislature (with 15% going to greater Minnesota and 11% to the metro area); and 33% through a competitive grant program. A fifth fund, the Environment Natural Resources and Trust Fund, was established by voter approval in 1988 and is funded through the Minnesota Lottery. This fund is also for protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The following describes the purpose, eligibility requirements and eligible applicants for the Legacy Act funds: Parks and Trails Fund Program purpose: To assist cities, counties, townships and legislatively designated regional parks and trails taxing authorities in the acquisition, development, restoration and maintenance of regional or statewide significant park facilities. In the Seven County Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, the proposed improvement must be consistent with the Metropolitan Council's Regional Parks Policy Plan or go through a proscribed 1