DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Grant Applications To Legislative-Citizen Commission On Minnesota Resources Program, Accept Grants If Awarded, And Execute Grant Agreements
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of grant applications to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) program for multiple projects identified in County plans and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), accept grants if awarded, and execute grant agreements.
SUMMARY
State voters approved a 1988 constitutional amendment establishing the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), in part, “for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.” The LCCMR makes ENRTF funding recommendations to the Minnesota (MN) Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects.
Dakota County has received previous ENRTF funding for developing the Farmland and Natural Areas Program, the Vermillion River Corridor Plan, the bison reintroduction project, acquisition of two natural area conservation easements, Thompson County Park improvements, Lake Byllesby Regional Park improvements, and Cannon River acquisition and restoration and has recommended funding for Lebanon Hills Regional Park restoration and trail sustainability to the 2026 MN Legislature for approval.
In 2024, state voters approved reauthorizing the use of lottery-generated proceeds for the ENRTF until 2050. The 2027 LCCMR Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on January 7, 2026, with approximately $121 million of ENRTF available from the lottery-generated proceeds through this RFP for projects beginning July 1, 2027. The application deadline is March 18, 2026. The State requires a resolution to apply for the grant, accept if awarded, and execute agreements. For all capital projects, the State also requires a 25 percent local match. The following projects/programs have been identified and recommended for grant submissions:
• Veterans Memorial Greenway- Native American Veterans Restoration, Native Plantings, and Enhanced Memorial: $495,000 request with $165,000 county grant-match=$660,000 total project cost
• System-wide ADA Improvements (per audit of both indoor and outdoor park spaces): $562,500 request with $187,500 county grant-match=$750,000 total project cost
• Spring Lake Park Reserve Interpretive Messaging Plan Implementation: $230,518 request with $76,840 county grant-match=$307,358 total project cost
• Spring Lake Park Reserve Restoration Project (same project as 3M PFAS Settlement request): $921,521 request with $247,673 county grant-match and $59,500 in-kind match of plugs grown=$1,228,694 total project cost
• North Creek Greenway Natural Resource Restoration, Pollinator-Themed Interpretation, and Greenway Access at the Minnesota Zoo: $1,001,840 request with $333,947 county grant-match=$1,335,787 total project cost
The capital projects above are all either previously approved Parks Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) projects or in future CIP planning years, both in specific projects and in the general set-asides for interpretive and accessibility projects. Projects are supported within long-range plans for Spring Lake Park Reserve, Veterans Memorial Greenway, and North Creek Greenway, as well as the Facilities Accessibility Audit and Spring Lake Park Reserve Interpretive Messaging Plan.
At the General Government and Policy Committee meeting on February 3, 2026, the Committee discussed and directed staff to move forward with all five proposals.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends a resolution authorizing submission of up to five 2027 funding requests for up to $3,122,523 with up to a $1,070,460 (required 25 percent match per project.)
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The grant proposals will request up to $3,122,523 in ENRTF funds. 25 percent matching funds are required for capital improvement projects. The Parks and Greenways Capital Improvement Program includes adequate funds for grant matching and will not utilize General Fund or levy as a funding source for the match. ENRTF funds will be available on July 1, 2027. Most projects funded are two to three years in duration.
|
CIP Project Title |
Funding Source |
Available Budget |
Match Amount Needed |
|
Veterans Memorial Greenway |
Federal and State Appropriations |
$15.95M |
$165,000 |
|
Interpretive Set-Aside |
County Program Aid |
$92,000 |
$76,840 |
|
Grant Match Set-Aside |
County Program Aid |
$343,873 |
$187,500 |
|
Natural Resources Base Fund |
Environmental Legacy Fund Balance |
$750,000 |
$247,673 (plus $59,500 in-kind for plants) |
|
Greenway Enhancement Set-Aside |
County Program Aid |
$332,000 |
$233,947 |
|
Greenway Enhancement Set-Aside |
Transportation Advance Account |
$102,669 |
$100,000 |
|
Total |
|
$17,570,542 |
$1,070,460 |
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the state Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) was established following voter approval of a 1988 constitutional amendment “for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources”; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) was established to make funding recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for special projects that help maintain and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources, primarily from the ENRTF; and
WHEREAS, the LCCMR issued a 2027 Request for Proposals, which includes “Resiliency,” “Water,” “Education and Outdoor Recreation,” “Fish and Wildlife,” “Energy,” “Land”, and “Small Projects” as priority funding categories; and
WHEREAS, approximately $121 million from the ENRTF is projected to be available for LCCMR-recommended projects implemented between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2029; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County seeks up to $3,122,523M for the following projects:
• Veterans Memorial Greenway- Native American Veterans Restoration, Native Plantings, and Enhanced Memorial: $495,000 request with $165,000 county grant-match=$660,000 total project cost
• System-wide ADA Improvements (per audit of both indoor and outdoor park spaces): $562,500 request with $187,500 county grant-match=$750,000 total project cost
• Spring Lake Park Reserve Messaging Plan Implementation: $230,518 request with $76,840 county grant-match=$307,358 total project cost
• Spring Lake Park Reserve Restoration Project (same project as 3M PFAS Settlement request): $921,521 request with $247,673 county grant-match and $59,500 in-kind match of plugs grown=$1,228,694 total project cost
• North Creek Greenway Natural Resource Restoration, Pollinator-Themed Interpretation, and Greenway Access at the Minnesota Zoo: $1,001,840 request with $333,947 county grant-match=$1,335,787 total project cost
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners supports the above-referenced projects and authorizes the submittal of proposals for funding of these projects on behalf of Dakota County to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in response to the Minnesota Legislature 2027 Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund Request for Proposal; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, if funding is awarded, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners agrees to accept the award and may enter into an agreement with the state of Minnesota for the above referenced projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Dakota County will comply with all applicable laws, environmental requirements, and regulations and any additional conditions stated in the grant agreement and the approved Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources work plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Dakota County understands that grants utilizing the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund are generally paid out on a reimbursement basis, and the County has the financial capability to pay for project expenses prior to seeking reimbursement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Dakota County certifies none of the current principals of the County have been convicted of a felony financial crime in the last ten years. For this purpose, a principal is defined as a public official, a board member, or staff that would have the authority to access or determine the use of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund funds, if awarded; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Physical Development Division Director is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and work plans as necessary and the Parks Director is authorized to implement the project on behalf of Dakota County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Physical Development Division Director to use the Parks Capital Improvement Program Grant Match Set-Aside to provide a 25 percent match to provide a competitive application for capital improvement projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Dakota County has the financial capability to ensure adequate operation and maintenance of the projects once completed.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2027 LCCMR RFP
Attachment: 2027 Non-State Entity Required Resolution Letter
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Georg Fischer
Author: Niki Geisler