HomeMy WebLinkAbout#08 - Sunfish Lake Park DNR Grant STAFF REPORT
DATE: 11/08/2023
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and City Council AGENDA ITEM: Buckthorn Grant Contribution
SUBMITTED BY: Adam Swanepoel, Assistant Public Works Director REVIEWED BY: Marty Powers, Public Works Director Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND: Since 2017 the city has been involved in cleaning up the Buckthorn in Sunfish Lake Park. Efforts by staff were turned over to the Friends of Sunfish to apply for any grants the park would be eligible for.
In 2019 the Friends of Sunfish worked with Stantec to apply for a DNR grant. Parks Commission and Council voted in favor of buckthorn removal in Sunfish Lake Park. At that time $10,000 was given to the Friends of Sunfish Lake Park to offset the 10% of a grant that was applied for and received by the organization. In the fall of 2022, The Friends of Sunfish applied for and received an additional DNR grant for continued buckthorn removal from the park. Stantec was awarded the grant funded project from the Conservation Partners Legacy for restoration over 140 acres for $473,000. The Parks Commission recommended and the City Council approved an additional $15,000 in the 2023 budget to the organization to help with the continued efforts of buckthorn removal from the park.
The Friends of sunfish recently received another $50,000 Grant from the DNR to finish Phase 1 of the Sunfish Lake Restoration project. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Would the City Council like to commit $5,000 (10%) for a 2023 Conservation Legacy Grant? FISCAL IMPACT: The DNR grant requires a 10% contribution for the $50,000 Legacy Grant. Currently Public
Works has included $5000 in the proposed 2024 public works operating expense budget for
buckthorn management. OPTION: 1. Approve the request for the City to commit $5,000 to the Friends of Sunfish Lake Park
for the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant. 2. Deny the request for the City to commit $5,000 to the Friends of Sunfish Lake Park for the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant RECOMMENDATION:
“Motion to approve committing $5000, to the Friends of Sunfish Lake Park for the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant for buckthorn removal in Sunfish Lake Park.”