DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Aging & Disability Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With City Of Eagan And City Of Farmington To Add Accessible Features In Public Spaces For Inclusion For Adults And Youth With Disabilities
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of joint powers agreements (JPA) with the City of Eagan and the City of Farmington to increase inclusion for adults and youth with and without disabilities by adding accessible features to public spaces.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 24-572 (December 3, 2024), the County Board authorized Dakota County to accept Workforce Shortage grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide funding for its Communities for All initiative. Communities for All issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) and selected the City of Eagan and the City of Farmington to increase inclusion for adults and youth with and without disabilities, as well as the broader community in Dakota County by adding accessible features to public spaces (Attachment: Solicitation Summary).
Through its Communities for All initiative, grant funding will be provided to do the following:
City of Eagan
• Purchase and install three manual wheelchairs at designated locations (Eagan Community Center, Civic Arena, and Art House).
• Install an adult-sized universal changing table in the Northview facility.
• Install one inclusive swing as part of the 2026 scheduled playground replacement project.
• Install communication boards at four playgrounds across the city, ensuring geographic equity (one in each quadrant of Eagan).
• Assemble and maintain sensory support bags for use during city-sponsored events.
• Display sensory area flag signage at events to clearly identify designated quiet or supportive zones.
City of Farmington
• Equip community recreation facilities with adaptive tools, such as adult-sized changing tables, to ensure individuals with physical disabilities can access use, and enjoy public amenities with dignity and independence.
Staff is requesting authorization to execute JPAs with the City of Eagan for an amount not to exceed $32,500 and with the City of Farmington for an amount not to exceed $16,000 from the date of execution through August 31, 2026 (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement-Eagan and Joint Powers Agreement-Farmington).
OUTCOMES
How Much?
City of Eagan:
• Number and type of inclusive resources installed (e.g., wheelchairs, changing tables, communication boards, inclusive swing)
• Number of staff and volunteers trained
• Number of promotional outreach activities to inform community of new inclusive resources
City of Farmington:
• Number of users of the new adult changing table
• Number of staff and volunteers who received trainings
• Number of promotional outreach activities to inform community of new changing table
How Well?
City of Eagan:
• Through feedback and surveys, aiming for at least 80 percent of users to report improved accessibility and inclusion
City of Farmington:
• Through feedback and surveys, aiming for at least 80 percent of users to report improved accessibility and inclusion
Is Anyone Better Off?
The new inclusive equipment and resources will break down barriers to participation, making public spaces more accessible and comfortable. Better staff and volunteer training will ensure residents get knowledgeable, respectful support. As a result, people with disabilities will experience greater inclusion, independence, and a stronger sense of belonging in their community.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute JPAs with the City of Eagan in the amount not to exceed $32,500 and with the City of Farmington in the amount not to exceed $16,000 to increase inclusion for adults and youth with and without disabilities, by adding accessible features to public spaces from the date of execution through August 31, 2026.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
This is funded using DHS Workforce Shortage grant funds and is included in the 2025 Social Services Budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by resolution No. 24-572 (December 3, 2024), the County Board authorized Dakota County to accept Workforce Shortage grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide funding for its Communities for All initiative; and
WHEREAS, Communities for All issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) and selected the City of Eagan and the City of Farmington to increase inclusion for adults and youth with and without disabilities, as well as the broader community in Dakota County by adding accessible features to public spaces; and
WHEREAS, through its Communities for All initiative, grant funding will be provided to do the following:
City of Eagan
• Purchase and install three manual wheelchairs at designated locations (Eagan Community Center, Civic Arena, and Art House).
• Install an adult-sized universal changing table in the Northview facility.
• Install one inclusive swing as part of the 2026 scheduled playground replacement project.
• Install communication boards at four playgrounds across the city, ensuring geographic equity (one in each quadrant of Eagan).
• Assemble and maintain sensory support bags for use during city-sponsored events.
• Display sensory area flag signage at events to clearly identify designated quiet or supportive zones.
City of Farmington
• Equip community recreation facilities with adaptive tools, such as adult-sized changing tables, to ensure individuals with physical disabilities can access use, and enjoy public amenities with dignity and independence.
; and
WHEREAS, staff is requesting authorization to execute joint powers agreements with the City of Eagan in an amount not to exceed $32,500 and with the City of Farmington in an amount not to exceed $16,000 from the date of execution through August 31, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of Eagan from the date of execution through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $32,500 subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of Farmington from the date of execution through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $16,000 subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.