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1 <br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 10/1/2024 <br /> <br /> Regular <br />TO: Lake Elmo City Council <br />AGENDA ITEM: Friends of Sunfish Letter of Interest for Funding <br />FROM: Adam Swanepoel, Assistant Public Works Director <br />REVIEWED BY: Marty Powers, Public Works Director <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Friends of Sunfish along with Tony Manzara are looking for the Parks Commission’s support to <br />submit a letter of intent for funding to improve and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in our <br />community. <br /> <br />As part of the 3M settlement, $20 million in grant money was set aside to compensate for losses to <br />recreational and ecological resources resulting from PFAS released by 3M. The DNR and MPCA have <br />elected to solicit project proposals directly from the organizations and communities via a public RFP <br />process. The first part of the process is for the organization to submit a letter of intent. After review of <br />all letters, this will be followed up with a full application of the proposed project. The Friends of <br />Sunfish are asking for the support of a letter of intent for a boardwalk in Sunfish Park. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL: <br />Would City Council support for the Friends of Sunfish and their letter of intent to apply for the Priority <br />2/Goal 3 settlement? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The Friends of Sunfish with the support of the Parks Commission and City Council would like to write a <br />Letter of Intent for a boardwalk to be constructed in Sunfish Park. The letter of intent would be, would be <br />reviewed by the DNR and MPCA and along with all other applicants for a sum of money which has been <br />allocated strictly for enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities. The application for Part 1; Letter of <br />Intent, is expected to open this fall and will be open for all applicants for 30 days. <br /> <br />The Friends of Sunfish are proposing a project which will consist of a 270 foot boardwalk and will cross <br />the North end of Sunfish Lake. The project is expected to cost $500,000 and will provide a connection <br />between two dead end trails. <br /> <br />Staff presented this topic to the Parks Commission on 9/16/2024 at a scheduled meeting. The Parks <br />Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the Friends of Sunfish submitting a letter of intent. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: <br />At this time there are no financial obligations being sought from the City of Lake Elmo.