HomeMy WebLinkAbout#11 - Friends of Sunfish Lake Park Letter of Interest1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 10/1/2024
Regular
TO: Lake Elmo City Council
AGENDA ITEM: Friends of Sunfish Letter of Interest for Funding
FROM: Adam Swanepoel, Assistant Public Works Director
REVIEWED BY: Marty Powers, Public Works Director
BACKGROUND:
The Friends of Sunfish along with Tony Manzara are looking for the Parks Commission’s support to
submit a letter of intent for funding to improve and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in our
community.
As part of the 3M settlement, $20 million in grant money was set aside to compensate for losses to
recreational and ecological resources resulting from PFAS released by 3M. The DNR and MPCA have
elected to solicit project proposals directly from the organizations and communities via a public RFP
process. The first part of the process is for the organization to submit a letter of intent. After review of
all letters, this will be followed up with a full application of the proposed project. The Friends of
Sunfish are asking for the support of a letter of intent for a boardwalk in Sunfish Park.
ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL:
Would City Council support for the Friends of Sunfish and their letter of intent to apply for the Priority
2/Goal 3 settlement?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
The Friends of Sunfish with the support of the Parks Commission and City Council would like to write a
Letter of Intent for a boardwalk to be constructed in Sunfish Park. The letter of intent would be, would be
reviewed by the DNR and MPCA and along with all other applicants for a sum of money which has been
allocated strictly for enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities. The application for Part 1; Letter of
Intent, is expected to open this fall and will be open for all applicants for 30 days.
The Friends of Sunfish are proposing a project which will consist of a 270 foot boardwalk and will cross
the North end of Sunfish Lake. The project is expected to cost $500,000 and will provide a connection
between two dead end trails.
Staff presented this topic to the Parks Commission on 9/16/2024 at a scheduled meeting. The Parks
Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the Friends of Sunfish submitting a letter of intent.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
At this time there are no financial obligations being sought from the City of Lake Elmo.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the following motion:
“Move support for the Friends of Sunfish to submit a letter of intent for the boardwalk project
through the Priority 2/Goal 3 settlement.”